Minus the Bear's album, titled OMNI, will be released on May 4th by Dangerbird Records (information about the signing can be found here). The record was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Joe Chiccarelli (The White Stripes, My Morning Jacket), and the band will embark on a 6-week tour on April 21st. Dates have not yet been announced.

In other Minus the Bear news, their song Broken China, will be on an American Eagle/Filter Magazine compilation album that will raise money to help support Haitian earthquake victims. You can buy this album now through March 19th (while supplies last) in any American Eagle store, and ALL money raised through sales of this album ($10 each) will be donated to Oxfam America.

Huh. American Eagle? Does this seem odd to anyone else? I wouldn't call donating music to a charitable organization "selling out", but I can't help but feel like this is a step into a foreign target market for Minus the Bear. The band's signing to Dangerbird has sparked a fresh promotional campaign, and MTB need all the promo they can get for OMNI, but isn't this a little... random? The fact that all proceeds from the purchase of these records will be donated to Haiti relief efforts is great-- I just can't get over the fact that Minus the Bear's music will be available for purchase in American Eagle stores.

As a marketing major, I, of all people, should realize that this is just a way to reach a new market, but WHY AMERICAN EAGLE? This store's competitors are Abercrombie and Hollister- retailers NOT generally associated with indie rock. Arguably, most of the bands on the compilation broke into the mainstream scene quite some time ago, but are Minus the Bear really on that same level? The success of their newest single, Into the Mirror, has been phenomenal, but they are definitely not Beck or Keane... yet.

I am probably going to hell for ranting about artists such as Beck, Snow Patrol, Keane, Air, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Julian Casablancas, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and others donating their time and music for this compilation, but I can't help but be a little surprised.

Regardless of my opinions on the randomness of the supporting retailer, I hope this CD flies off the shelves, and I will probably go to AE to purchase a copy anyway. All that ranting and I'm still suckered into it. Damn you, American Eagle. DAMN YOU!!

Read the Dangerbird announcement of this album on their website.