The Subtropics - Music For The Midwest

So many best of 2014 list out this month.... Not seeing The Subtropics double cassette released September-ish of last year. To be completely correct with internet search returns, i did find Music For The Midwest noted on the Nebraska native site HearNebraska.org. The feature is titled Favorite Nebraska Albums of 2014.

So here is my list for 2014
  1. The Subtropics - Music For The Midwest
That is it. There are other great albums i listened to, but this list is to some how partially make amends for Music For The Midwest slipping through the sound cracks on so many prestigious list out there on the internet. Ironically, i would bet The Subtropics do not care and Unread Records will keep churning out vibrant unheard of artists and not even twitch. For me, i do care for what it is worth and wanted to send some love to the band and the label.

Music For The Midwest is a low-fi listen into fascination and wonder. The sound circles all of the way back  revolving around the spectrum. This includes retro sing a longs, ageless rock, playfulness, heartfelt solos, quiet get togethers, darkness, feedback and noise. Describing the diversity of the double cassette would involve examining each track. Even if i tried, i still would be inept at properly doing this. So my description consist of only what i can compare this to. Reminding me of Dukes of Stratosphere bumping into the Monkeys and being run down by Velvet Underground. The whole lot of them are thrown into a specially designed concrete mixer created by Sebedoh and Tonstartssbandht and poured out over an hour to harden in the space between your ears. The multifariousness of all twenty four tracks does not stray as far to cause mayhem. Songs like "Under the Mango Tree" parts one, two and three is a good example of cohesion throughout the double tape. Another is "Hollywood Lights" on side A and "If It Makes You Feel Alright" on side D. Both garage pop surprises. My favorites have changed with each listen, so naming them is kind of pointless.

Unread Records & Tapes catalogs this one at #159. This label is truly pioneering how to showcase artists existing in a dimension without radar. All of the while, moving forward with creativity, playfully jumping back and forth over the track out ahead of the ensuing masses.

If you like good music..... you should definitely give this a listen.





Links
Unread Records & Tapes site & bandcamp
The Subtropics bandcamp