Kovacs & the Polar Bear is very much a cohesive unit, with worked-up parts, stage cues and — though the style is unfettered — seasoned musicianship. Elemental rock roots (Springsteen, Tom Petty) meet accomplished story telling and probably the best sense of dynamics to be found among Asheville’s many rock outfits. From quiet harmonies to full-band bombastics, Kovacs & the Polar Bear can cover the range within a single song and yet maintain a degree of continuity. Balance is key for this group, from volume to the mix of electric and acoustic instruments to the sweet-but-not-cloying lyrics…
—Alli Marshall (Mountain Xpress)
