second album proper from this ongoing anticon collective. which follows on quickly from their recent (and brilliant) cd/dvd set, wishingbone. as reviewed here.

as before, the basis of the music is hop hop beats and deft lyrical wordplay. 

though it should be noted, that this is a style of hip hop like no-one else makes, and here's the reason why :

 

dax pierson - throat, harmonica

alexander kort - electric and acoustics, cello and bass

jardan dalrymple - drums, guitar, synth, throat

jeffrey jel iogan - drum machine

marty kaianf donvers - woodwind, synth

adam doseone drucker, words, throat, treatments, art

 

the band is a collective all manner of strange noise making folks. not your usual 2 decks and a microphone, nor guitar/bass/drum/keyboard band set up, i mean apart from orchestrated extras how many hip hop bands utilise cellos !

if you have heard anything from the anticon setup then the strangeness on offer will not come as a major surprise. there is the same use of off the wall sonic tricks and treatments, the same helium styled speed vocals and the same overall atmosphere of wonder and uniqueness.

with the future of the band in a state of concern following a serious bus accident last year, it's great to hear the band give it their all and be unified in their creation for such a brilliant, and for once for the anticon mindset, consistently listenable, album.

where this is most evident is on the most straightforward rock-rap track, nomanisisland that has the funkiest rumble bass and chopped up guitars with relatively straight up rap vocals.

an mtv-styled crossover hit ? well not quite, but for subtle this is the closest they get to a normal rock-pop song and makes for a wonderful mid-album highlight.

a trick they just about repeat with bed to the bills later on in the flow.

naturally, i have yet to figure out exactly what the hell these guys are talking about across most of the 11 tracks, but as the music is as compelling and enjoyable, i know that this aspect will be revealed over time making the album more involving with each spin.

i will admit, this is not album that will be soundtracking groove some get togethers, nor one for the straight up hip hop loving headz, as it's a challenging album to love, with prog rock-esque changes in rhythm and melody midsong, the 7 minutes of penultimate track call to dive, being a particular example, as well as the trademarked hard to decipher wordplay, and non-standard instrumetation, subtle is a band in a class of one, and long may they continue to be so.

as sometimes, such a challenge, is worthwhile as the eventual dividends are all the more delicious and rewarding.