What makes Held on the Tips of Fingers by Polar Bear notable?

The album received critical acclaim upon its release, with notable reviews from sources such as The Guardian and Jazzwise highlighting its originality. It contributed to the growing recognition of the UK jazz movement in the mid-2000s, influencing emerging artists and helping to reshape the genre's landscape. Released in 2005, 'Held on the Tips of Fingers' marked Polar Bear's second studio album after their debut, 'Dimensional Space,' which came out in 2004. This album solidified their experimental jazz style, expanding their sonic palette and establishing them as innovators within the UK jazz scene.

Who is Held on the Tips of Fingers for?

Held on the Tips of Fingers works well if you're into delicate melodies for quiet moments, reflective soundscapes for introspection and subtle rhythms that inspire thought.

How many songs are on Held on the Tips of Fingers?

Held on the Tips of Fingers has 9 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Held on the Tips of Fingers

Polar Bear · 2005

42 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A delicate interplay of jazz-infused melodies and intricate rhythms creates a reflective soundscape that invites introspection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Beartown — This track stands out for its dynamic shifts and complex arrangements, showcasing the band's ability to blend improvisation with structured composition.
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Held on the Tips of Fingers — The title track exemplifies the album's themes of longing and connection through its haunting melodies and intricate instrumentation.
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Life That Ends Too Soon — Spanning over seven minutes, this piece encapsulates the band's experimental nature while featuring a rich tapestry of sounds that evolves throughout.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and skilled performances, contributing to its distinct sound within the jazz genre.

What we noticed

Melodic lines often intertwine between different instruments, allowing for a conversational quality in the music.
Several tracks utilize extended improvisation sections, which contribute to the album's reflective and exploratory nature.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

delicate melodies for quiet moments
reflective soundscapes for introspection
subtle rhythms that inspire thought
short tracks for focused listening

Maybe skip if you

prefer high-energy music
want straightforward, catchy tunes

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2005, 'Held on the Tips of Fingers' marked Polar Bear's second studio album after their debut, 'Dimensional Space,' which came out in 2004. This album solidified their experimental jazz style, expanding their sonic palette and establishing them as innovators within the UK jazz scene.
Stylistic neighbors: GoGo Penguin· Portico Quartet· Matthew Halsall

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Was Dreaming You Called You Disappeared I Slept 2:08
2 Beartown 5:56
3 Fluffy (I Want You) 5:18
4 To Touch the Red Brick 2:51
5 Held on the Tips of Fingers 5:15
6 Argumentative 4:08
7 The King of Aberdeen 5:55
8 Your Eyes the Sea 3:17
9 Life That Ends Too Soon 7:25

What to play next

Listen next

Polar Bear

2008

Go back to

Dim Lit

2004

Full Polar Bear discography Artists like Polar Bear

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata