Band: The Temperance Movement
Album: White Bear

British heavy blues-rockers, The Temperance Movement, is back with their second studio album White Bear, which was released at the end of January this year. Fans of bands like Monster Truck and Wolfmother will appreciate the heavier rock guitars and pounding drums, whereas fans of Pearl Jam, The Goo Goo Dolls, and Blur will love the reverberated vocals and complex lyrics. White Bear is an album not to be missed.

Formed in 2011 by Glasgow-born vocalist, Phil Campbell, and guitarists Luke Potashnick and Paul Sayer, The Temperance Movement grew to include bassist Nick Fyffe and the Australian-born drummer, Damon Wilson. In 2012, the band released their first EP, Pride, which was followed a year later by their self-titled debut full-length album. In 2015, after White Bear was finished, Luke Potashnick left the band on good terms, and Matt White replaced him on guitar. The Temperance Movement has opened for the Rolling Stones, and earlier this year, they toured with Canadian rockers, Monster Truck.

The majority of the tracks on White Bear have that heavier, bold rock sound that rock fans love. However, The Temperance Movement shows themselves as almost progressive in their compositions and play styles. For example, “A Pleasant Peace I Feel” is a relatively tame track, as far as heavy rock goes. The drum beat is steady, but it is shifted to be a background feature, second to the softer muted vocals and repressed guitar. There is a light crescendo as the song takes off, but it never reaches the same fervour as the other songs on the album. “A Pleasant Peace I Feel” really is an unexpected find on a heavy rock album.

“Oh Lorraine” is the driving single from White Bear and for 5 weeks the track “topped the Canadian Rock Radio chart” (http://www.indoorrecess.com/temperance-movement-hit-1-rock-radio-5-weeks-row-oh-lorraine/). This track is exactly what one would expect to find on a rock album: loud guitars, thumping drums, and repetitive, but fun, lyrics. “Oh Lorraine” is best enjoyed with the volume turned way up.

Then there is the slightly psychedelic “Magnify”. There is just something about the guitar that brings to mind 70s psychedelic rock. Interestingly, the vocals still have that amazing blues feel to them, making “Magnify” a very progressive song without compare in the rock world today.

Those interested in checking out White Bear can find the album at all of the usual venues. And if live rock shows is your thing, The Temperance Movement is playing in Canada starting September 27th at Club Absinthe in Hamilton, Ontario. For more information, and to see if they are playing at a venue near you, check out their website.

Samantha currently uses her skills as a writer to promote independent musicians and raise awareness and support for many global, environmental, and humanitarian issues. Check out her website and blog at: http://sstevenswriter.wix.com/writer