White Bear cover

Released 10 years ago

White Bear

The Temperance Movement · 2016

43 min · 12 tracks · hard rock

Raw, gritty blues rock harmonizes with reflective lyrics, capturing a sense of urgency and introspection throughout the album.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Three Bullets — This opening track sets the tone with its explosive energy and raw intensity, showcasing the band's signature sound and lyrical themes of conflict.
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    Get Yourself Free — The infectious groove and uplifting message make this track a standout, reflecting a call for self-liberation that resonates throughout the album.
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    White Bear — As the title track, it encapsulates the album’s essence with haunting melodies and evocative lyrics that explore themes of resilience and introspection.
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    Battle Lines — With its anthemic chorus and powerful instrumentation, this track exemplifies the band's ability to blend hard rock elements with poignant storytelling.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends energetic rock with reflective moments, showcasing solid writing and performance but lacking a strong cohesive flow.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album maintains a high energy level with driving rhythms and electric guitar solos, while the second half shifts to more introspective ballads.
  • Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the sense of urgency and engagement in the lyrics.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

  • gritty introspection with urgency
  • short bursts of raw energy
  • reflective moments for contemplation
  • pulsating rhythms for driving moods

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer polished and smooth sounds
  • seek long, experiences

Where this album fits

Career context
Released on January 15, 2016, White Bear is The Temperance Movement's second studio album, following their self-titled debut in 2015. At this point in their career, the band was aiming to cement their identity within the blues rock genre while expanding their sonic palette and lyrical depth after gaining initial recognition.
Stylistic neighbors
Rival Sons· The Black Keys· Wolfmother

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Get Yourself Free

    The song shifts from reflection to encouragement, urging listeners to break free from constraints.

    This transition amplifies the song's motivational message, transforming personal struggle into a collective rallying cry for liberation.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Three Bullets 3:13
  • 2 Get Yourself Free 3:37
  • 3 A Pleasant Peace I Feel 4:35
  • 4 Modern Massacre 2:21
  • 5 Battle Lines 4:16
  • 6 White Bear 4:00
  • 7 Oh Lorraine 3:03
  • 8 Magnify 3:59
  • 9 The Sun And Moon Roll Around Too Soon 2:48
  • 10 I Hope I'm Not Losing My Mind 4:27
  • 11 Do The Revelation 3:22
  • 12 Time Won't Leave 3:51

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata