Grizzly free download for music fans

Shropshirestar.com readers can today download a free song to celebrate the release of a new album by American group Grizzly Bear.

Their new album Veckatimest is out on May 25 on Warp Records and the free-to-use mp3 is of the album track Cheerleader.

It can be downloaded free at www.warprecords.com/grizzlybear/grizzlybear-cheerleader-taken-from-veckatimest.mp3

The track can also be shared among friends, without infringing the band's copyright.

Grizzly Bear spokeswoman Alison Millar said: "Grizzly Bear released Yellow House in 2006.

"It was a slow, steady and stunning ride, and given the album's otherworldly charm and staying power, it's hard to believe three years have gone by.

"That might seem like a long time. But given Grizzly Bear's hectic touring schedule, including stints with Radiohead, TV On The Radio and Feist ­ as well as several performances during a five-night tribute to Paul Simon at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, a co-headlining show with the LA Philharmonic, and the release of Friend, a 10-song EP of re-recorded and re-worked songs, collaborations and covers ­ all this seems reasonable. They've been busy."

About a year ago, singer/songwriter Ed Droste, drummer Christopher Bear, woodwinds player/bassist Chris Taylor and singer/songwriter/guitarist Daniel Rossen ­ whose other band, Department of Eagles, released the sublime In Ear Park last fall ­ began passing demos around, and working together creatively in different pairs and permutations.

Miss Millar added: "A few months later they set off with producer/engineer Chris Taylor's mobile recording rig to begin the recording process for Veckatimest, which would unfold over the next six months in three very singular locations. And in many ways, it is the recording process that reveals this record ­ each space catalyzing different interactions, inspirations, and ultimately, songs."

The new Grizzly Bear album features songs like Dory, a gracefully psychedelic, ever-evolving work; Ready Able, a synth-y opus, and one of four songs that boasts string arrangements by composer Nico Muhly and Foreground, a plaintive, vocal-driven send-off, and one of two songs to feature choral arrangements also by Muhly.

There are also more resounding pop songs like Two Weeks, an other-worldly doo wop featuring backing vocals from Beach House's Victoria LeGrand, and While You Wait For the Others, a triumphant and melodically cacophonous pop masterpiece.

Further details are also available at www.grizzly-bear.net