Excuse to Forget

In an industry where the standard is now that records are produced to show not even the slightest imperfection, it's rare to find an album that captures a band's raw emotion. Runways and Shorelines, the latest offering from Alaska-Oregon transplant Subconscious is an exception. Produced by Steve Holt (36 Crazyfists) and mastered by Troy Glessner (Emery, Underoath), the music is sonically dense, but emotionally connected. Lyrically, vocalist Dan Hall revisits a year of broken relationships, foreign countries, and new beginnings. "A Bullet for Every Name," the album's opener, hits with an intensity that is echoed throughout the majority of the album, while "Monument," which features electronics and samples, takes them in a more ambient direction. With such a diverse sound, Runways and Shorelines creates a division that sets Subconscious apart from other post-hardcore outfits. Hall and his bandmates, guitarist Ari Katcher, bassist Andrew Totemoff, and drummer Corey Coverstone are some of the harder working indie musicians on the scene today. Now residents of Portland, Oregon, Subconscious developed their sound with countless shows in their hometown of Anchorage, Alaska. The release of their 2002 self-titled EP landed them an offer to record with producer Don Flemming (Sonic Youth, Hole), along with a full endorsement with Red Bull Energy Drink. Their follow-up 2004 LP This Empty Room put them on contract with national distributors BCD Music Group. After less than a year in Portland, they released the 2005 EP An Excuse to Forget, which was supported by a full West Coast tour. Subconscious has shared the stage with national acts 36 Crazyfists, Anatomy of a Ghost, Dry Kill Logic, Exodus, The Goodwill, Kane Hodder, Manntis, Nural, The Presidents of the United States of America, Skinlab, Twelve Tribes, and Unjust. A solid live sound and an active stage presence draw a number of familiar faces to their shows. Following the release of Runways and Shorelines, the boys hit the road to tour throughout the remainder of the year.