Listening Party: New Submarines Album

04/05/2011

Check out Love Notes/Letter Bombs, released this week via Nettwerk.

By Blurt Staff

Indiepop mavens John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard are no unknown quantities in the biz, as anyone with half a record collection will testify. (Raise your hand if you've got a copy of Hazard's classic Little Airplane or any number of Dragonetti's Jack Drag releases.) Most recently they've been a rocking and writing team that they dubbed The Submarines; 2006's Declare a New State! and 2008's Honeysuckle Weeks are bonafide classics of the genre.

The wait for a new platter from the duo is over: out this week on Nettwerk is Love Notes/Letter Bombs and we have a stream of it for your listening pleasure.

The Submarines Love Notes / Letter Bombs by nettwerkmusicgroup

They also kick off a monthlong North American tour starting this week - full tour dates listed below. Meanwhile, here's some backstory on the band and details on the new record:

The new album picks up where sophomore album Honeysuckle Weeks left off, except this time married duo John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard find themselves in a new house, fervidly exchanging love notes and letter bombs. Fans of The Subs have followed the band's personal relationship through their music. Their debut album, Declare A New State, recounted their painful break-up and eventual reconciliation. Honeysuckle Weeks was the perfect Spring album; themes of blossoming gardens, life and love were woven together by vintage pop, intricately layered electronica and old school-dub.

The album caught the attention of Apple, who used two of the infectious tracks for their iPhone TV ad campaign. Combined with a multitude of film and television syncs, The Subs were launched into the global slipstream, playing to sold out crowds at their headline shows, as well as touring with acts like Aimee Mann, Morning Benders and The Brazilian Girls.

But when personal and professional lives are so entangled, tensions can run as high as the love on certain days. While the music on Love Notes/Letter Bombs is disarmingly easy to listen to, one can't help but notice the themes of conflict, frustration and communication (or lack there of) leaping from each track. Passions and conflict aside, the growth of the band is undeniable. One can hear Blake's confidence as a vocalist with each note, while veteran home record John ("Jackdrag") has honed his technical skills, allowing a new ease and playfulness. The pair also welcomed some change to their process. For the first time, live drums (mostly from Spoon drummer Jim Eno) are used throughout Love Notes/Letter Bombs, and the band sought help from mixer John O'Mahony (Metric, Coldplay) to put the finishing touches on the album.

Tour Dates:

Thur, April 7 Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar

Sat, April 9 San Francisco, CA @ Slim's

Mon, April 11 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge

Tues, April 12 Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern

Wed, April 13 Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret

Fri, April 15 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

Sat, April 16 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge

Mon, April 18 Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room

Tues, April 19 St. Paul @ Turf Club

Wed, April 20 Chicago, IL @ Schubas

Fri, April 22 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern