Vernal Equinox

Subtle – Spring (2003) self-released

1. Jr.’s Band
2. Wallet Falls
3. Untitled
4. Less Populated Earth
5. Skullz



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The conclusion of the four part series. This is the exact opposite of Winter, as this EP is the most structured and accessible in the series. These songs are so “song-like” in fact, that they are all featured on Earthsick, the single CD compilation of the Four Seasons. This is the only EP to be entirely included on Earthsick.

Being as straightforward as these songs are (at least for Subtle) this is also the shortest of the EPs. The first abstract song of the set is “Untitled,” a song that got half-erased during the recording process. Instead of fixing the error, Subtle left the song “as is” for the most part, creating an unrivaled sense of emptiness & desolation. “Less Populated Earth” is the other abstract song, enough so that it could belong on Summer or Autumn, yet its slam poetry quality makes it lyrical enough that it doesn’t sound out of place on this season. “Skullz” is fantastic song, and functions well as a closer for the EP, but for the series as a whole, doesn’t create much closure. Considering the cyclical nature of the change of seasons, it only adds to the resonance of the series.

I’ve pretty much said with each entry, that the Four Seasons project is a phenomenal piece of work. Subtle rather successfully explored their sound, ranging the gambit from free improv to pop song-structures, all the while organizing their experiments via thematic elements and creating quite listenable releases. Earthsick organizes these EPs into a simple, abbreviated album, but it lacks breadth or scope you would achieve by exploring each season independently.