Album Review: Papa Bear and the Easy Love – ‘For The Wild’

It is important that when you acquaint yourself with Papa Bear and the Easy Love, your spirit and mind are open and welcoming. Whether you are in need of the healing these gentle tracks offer or you are just in the mood for feeling warm harmonious melodies and wide open lyrical imagery, For The Wild will whisk you away into a whirlwind of serenity and spiritual blessedness.

The most important lesson of the album [and life] is in the title track, singing, “Life is an open road for the wild” escorted and strengthened by yearning strings. This message underlies the collection of songs, establishing depth and encouraging you to free your spirit. For The Wild spans genres, although mostly folk, fusing blues, classical instrumentation and jazz to properly exude emotion and support Papa Bear’s motivational imagery.

“My Son” especially stands out with a fast-paced tempo, lightly dressed with hammond organ riffs, strings and a boogying electric guitar. Tracks like “Sweet Sunshine” and “Boulder To Boulder” are whimsical and endearing with tender jazz horns and careful acoustic guitar plucks layered with highly emotive and sweet violin hums. Spanish horns decorate the search-themed “Bear Cry” but its the compassion-filled vocals of Easy Lover, Lisa Donnelly, singing, “Don’t you run / Don’t you hide / Dance to the beat of the raindrops dripping by / Dance through the storm,” in “Dance Through The Storm” that pinpoints the inspirational direction of For The Wild.

The album strongly concludes with “I’m For Today”, paced at a meditative stride and accompanied by soulful, strongly held backup vocals swelling just as waves do upon the shore. Echoing the themes of free spirit, easy love and self-empowerment, the group [which includes close pals, The Mowgli's] collectively sings, “We are wise / Oh so wise / But life gets in the way…I’m for the birds who fly away / Free as they came.” Papa Bear and the Easy Love embody free love, emanating inspiration and spreading a glow of joy wherever they touch. For The Wild is vastly spacious and elaborate, characterized by spirited instrumentals and intricate layers of vocals and riffs of everything from lustrous keys to delicate guitar plucks – always leaving room to an inconspicuous calming hum.

Listen to “Sweet Sunshine” below and download at your own price.

If you are lucky enough to be in San Francisco on Thursday, Feb. 21, head to The Great American Music Hall for Papa Bear and the Easy Love’s album release show!

Papa Bear and the Easy Love is also supporting the final edition of The Mowgli’s residency at The Satellite in LA on Monday, Feb. 25. Free entrance!

Stalk Papa Bear and the Easy Love:
TheEasyLove.com