Bears have it all--the requisite indie pop animal reference, a Shins-esque demeanor filtered through a Boy Least Likely To-ish glossy innocence, and the musical simplicity to create a record that's as charming as it can get without being a colorful, bubblegummed soiree. Craig Ramsey and Charlie McArthur are the duo behind the Ohio-based Bears, and though they have yet to play even one live show, their eponymous first record should set them up as openers on a slew of tours with like-minded popsters. Comparisons to The Boy Least Likely To are bound to be afloat in Bears reviews; there are similarities, but they pretty much reach a dead-end after the whole "two guys making bedroom pop" scenario. Bears' music comes across as laid back, but not sunny; it's not even that bouncy or hook-laden, but it sure is damn good. And on a side note, I'll nominate Bears as yet another band making quality, professional-sounding music without the help of a label--not such a feat anymore after Clap Your Hands Say Yeah soared to indie stardom as an unsigned act last year, but DIY is always commendable when it's pulled off correctly. Recalling the sounds of The Beatles or The Zombies without the production budget, or a happy-go-lucky Elliott Smith, the Bears' debut incorporates everything you'd expect--musicianship that isn't over the top or awe-inspiring, but lends itself to the songwriting enough to get the job done, handclaps, bells, keys, tambourines, sprightly sung choruses, and an aesthetic that seems to favor realism and romanticism over absurd LSD-induced daydreams. And, besides their name and logo, Bears aren't bubbling over with cuteness, just provocative good times that don't seem to get old. "Never Have to Guess" pits a rollicking bassline against bells and keyboards, opening the album with probably its catchiest number, even though it clocks in at under two minutes. "Walk Away" seems to harbor some infatuation with a blustery ghost town in its guitar line, ominously building up to progressions that defy any warm feelings you'd expect, and "Everywhere" is the first time a ray of sunshine seems to find the Bears out of their cave, seemingly a telling nod to The Shins, with airy vocals and a xylophoned-out chorus. Bears, don't go into hibernation quite yet. Summer's coming, and the bees will be making all kinds of honey for you as soon as you get on the road and let us all see your shining fur. Get to it.