New Subtle - "The Crow" & "Unlikely Rock Shock"
In the past, Subtle have been anything but their namesake, galloping across hip-hop, pop, soul, and post-indie whatever, mashing up a colorful agglomeration in their blender. The Bay Area sextet's forthcoming third full-length ExitingARM, though, showcases a more nuanced approach to the genre hopping, without losing any of the density. To get a sense of the eclectic aesthetic, frontman/co-founder doseone founded anticon with Yoni of Why?, and the band's collaborated with Beck, Tunde from TV On The Radio, Soft Pink Truth (Drew Daniel of Matmos), Ms. John Soda, Hood, the Notwist, etc. Speaking of the Notwist, ExitingArm is wrapped in a dusky Kraut-esque gauziness. No idea what we're talking about? Take a listen to "The Crow," a chirpy bit of rap-injected dream pop and the upbeat "Unlikely Rock Shock." The latter has a Gnarls thing in its swivel.
Subtle - "the Crow" (MP3)
Subtle - "unlikely rock shock" (MP3)
"Unlikely Rock Shock" follows the "Crow" on the album, so listen in order and get a sense of at least one transition. Also, we're told there's a 20,000-word comic book that doseone illustrated/wrote that follows the album's narrative. Keep watch at the band's site.
ExitingARM is out 5/13 on Lex. Working well with their genre-blending tendencies, Subtle heads out on tour this May, playings shows with Black Moth Super Rainbow, Efterklang, Pit Er Pat, Dosh, Slaraffenland, etc.
05-07 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall *
05-09 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir ^!
05-10 - Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge ^!
05-12 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
05-13 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
05-15 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry $
05-16 - Madison, WI @ Annex $
05-17 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle &
05-19 - Toronto, Ontario @ TBA
05-20 - Montreal, Quebec @ La Sala Rossa
05-21 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Downstairs %
05-22 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's %
05-23 - New York, NY @ Knitting Factory %
05-24 - Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel %^
05-26 - Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn
05-27 - Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
05-28 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk
05-30 - Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory *
* with Clue to Kalo, Facing New York
^ with Efterklang
! with Slaraffenland
$ with Fog
& with Pit Er Pat
% with Black Moth Super Rainbow
Posted at 5:01 PM in MP3
Tags: Subtle
Yes Yes Yes! Subtle you rule! I can't wait!
Posted by: boone at March 26, 2008 6:12 PM | ReplyScore = 0
It sounds like the Crow's mp3 is shorter than really is?
Posted by: Eduardo at March 26, 2008 6:27 PM | ReplyScore = 0
But they do sound pretty good anyway. Looking forward to that Knitting Factory show (and with Black Moth Super Rainbow!)
Posted by: Eduardo in reply to Eduardo's comment at March 26, 2008 6:30 PM | ReplyScore = 0
These both sound really great! Excitied for the show with Efterklang. Wow, that's a killer double bill!
Posted by: Darth James at March 26, 2008 7:01 PM | ReplyScore = 0
I've never been as scared shitless as I was seeing Subtle open for TVOTR last march. Not saying I hated them., cuz I didn't - they're just...Subtle.
Posted by: Chadams at March 26, 2008 10:20 PM | ReplyScore = 0
unlikely rock shock
sounds like afrika bambaataa
YES
the crow
sounds kinda like uhh blue october...
i'm scared
Posted by: brody at March 27, 2008 1:03 AM | ReplyScore = 0
I am so pumped for this album! For Hero: For Fool was easily my top album of '06.
Posted by: TW at March 27, 2008 1:42 AM | ReplyScore = 0
re: the crow - so not blue october...more notwist-ish.
I agree with afrika though - that i totally hear!
Posted by: BRO at March 27, 2008 2:08 PM | ReplyScore = 0
dig unlikely rock shock
...as for the crow...i'll just have to wait and see if it grows on me...i dunno.
It will probably be awesome live though
i've seen em' live twice, and both times were incredible!
Posted by: jOHNNY at April 4, 2008 3:46 PM | ReplyToo bad i'll be on a boat somewhere between Spain and N. Africa when they hit descend upon DC in may...I was really looking forward to adding to my growing fork collection
Score = 0
Posted by: lisa at April 10, 2008 2:27 PM | ReplyWin a $150,000 recording contract at woozyfly.com/contests!!
Score = 0