Customer Reviews

For Hero for Fool

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Probably even more diverse and genre-defying than their previous (incredibly underrated) album, this goes somewhere that music really hasn't gone before. I'm not sure how to describe it, but there's the same feel to it, with a new and more developed personality this time around. I just bought it today, but I've been listening to it non-stop. It's definitely the best album I've heard this year, and it was well worth the wait.

The songs shift moods and styles so much it can make your head spin, but in the end you really feel as though you've gone thorugh something epic; a kind of adventurous album that people don't seem to make anymore. If you're familiar with the new single The Mercury Craze, you've probably got an idea for where the album's going, but don't expect ten more tracks like it. If anything, it's the "catchy" 80's discoey song, and it stands out on that note (and operates as a solid single in that light).

This is a brilliant album, and a (relievingly) worth follow up to the amazing New White album. Another thing worth noting is the production, which is perfect this time around. Even if this isn't "your thing," you'll have a hard time brushing it off or ignoring how unique and imaginitive it is.

It's part hip hop, part electronic idm/downtempo, part rock... completely impossible to accurately describe as it demands your attention on so many levels. Here's to hoping that their signing to EMI/Astralwerks brings some more deserved attention to this band.

PS: Doseone's a genius.

I cannot tell you how inspirational and new this band's sound is- it is a very great leap in hip hop- but some may label this as a branch of rap rock, and they couldn't be quite so wrong in trying to label them as such (i think Spin did and i almost laughed).

This is an ambitious work, a companion to A New White, and the middle chapter in its trilogy following the white rapper from California, Hour Hero Yes. The LP's were designed to become a board game that rapper, Adam or Doseone had comprised in 2002. Every song has its moments, each building to volcanic eruption laying a flow so defined with so much distinction and personality, that I can't think of an MC able to hang with the creativity, pace, and melody of Dose. The production is insane and has welcomed incorporation of past demos from band mate Dax, who was tragically paralyzed last year. That special experience and more money has enabled this group to present such biting tracks as "midas gutz (about celebrities emptying their intestines in some twisted new age reality game with celebrities from Ice Cube- back when he was hard), "return of the vein," the single, Mercury Craze, and Middleclass Kill/Stomp.

The album is not meant to be cut into singles but an entire experience. I recommend listening to A New White and For Hero : For Fool in succession. I also recommend cLOUDDEAD, Ten, for further exploration of the many styles of Dose and anticon (although subtle is not an anticon release).

For me, I felt this was album of the year, due to the progressive nature and the pure ambitiousness using the genre.

This is a possible future for hip hop. Do yourself a favor, get this album now.

definately one of my favorite cd's of all time. however, it did take me about 3 or four times around to actually love it. you have to kind of grasp the feeling of story first. sometimes the singing can be a little annoying,(i dont know if that is intentional or not)but the lyrics always make up for it. as usual, dose takes the listener on a ride into his skitzo-like, word painter rantings. scripting, yet another, chapter in his story(later to made into a board game)about the depressions of trying to live with the humans as an alien and such. his delivery is amazing, and i think he gets better at singing all the time. the music is freakish. i hate labeling it with genres, so ill just say it's like tool and pink floyd having a kid, and then that kid blows it up in outkast, and their baby would kind of resemble subtle.

Now, I don't listen to rap or hip hop. I'm more of a prog/art rock kind of person, though I will listen to anything that is genuinely creative. However, I have been a subtle fan for years for that reason: they aren't like other rap or hip hop groups I've ever heard. The music is unique, there's actual singing, and even the rapping itself shows great skill; it's not just talking over a beat, and I'd challenge anyone who thinks it takes no skill to try to do what Doseone does in tracks like Apes part II.
I've had A New White for years, particularly in love with the tracks "She" and "I Heart L.A" I finally decided to get this, not knowing how it would sound. My first thought upon finishing it was "That was good, but it was too short." I honestly though it was only a half an hour album, but then I checked and it was just over 50 minutes. That's a really good thing for an album to hook you in so much that you loose track of time. So far, I have not listened to any tracks alone, it's been start to finish for me each of the many times I've already listened to it, although a few tracks that stood out for me were Apes part II, nomanisisland, and Bed to the Bills. One thing I did notice though was the strange song structure in the last few tracks. Constantly changing, they seemed to be closer to progressive than to what one would expect from a band that may be labled as rap or hip hop, but this act doesn't deserve a lable, they're too original for that. While I may love this band, I doubt I'll ever journey into rap beyond Doesone's projects, but they have given me hope that rap isn't always as what the mainstream spews out.

Anyways, thanks goes out to ZekeySpaceyLizard who posted a video on albinoblacksheep many years ago for She. Without it, I doubt I'd have ever heard of this incredible band. And this album is truly deserving of these five stars, being lyrically, rhythmically, and musically outstanding overall.

A few years ago I started listening to cLOUDDEAD and hearing that I assumed it must have been Doseone's experimental side project. But after getting this cd, which seamlessly blends tracks together, I realized that it was actually his more main stream side project. That made me happy because cLOUDEAD opened a floodgate of unquenchable want and Subtle was one step toward quenching it.

first introduced to Doseone through his project with Boom Bip (loved it). then...

i........... heard this and just didnt know what to say. didnt stop listening to this album since it came out for a very very VERY long time. it is so addicting. every song is so perfect and amazing. this band.... 6 gods dare i say. i've never been so addicted to an album. after i heard this ALL music i heard for the next month wasnt even music. this was the only thing i could listen to.

if you've read some of my other reviews you're probably thinking "this guy has said that on a few other ones" but 1. i dont review albums that arent just pure amazing because i dont want to waste time writing reviews on albums that are just ok. i only write reviews on things i think deserve it and this one deserves perhaps
2. i dont know where they came up with this.... but i.... i dont know how to describe it. redefined music for me.

I agree with each and every review posted for this band. Subtle's "For Hero: For Fool" is an impressive album from beginning to end. I would rate it a 4.5 Stars but since there is only increments of one I gladly step the rating to 5 stars. I have not heard such brilliant display of talent, such a consistent and satisfying material since I can remember. I am thrilled to own this album! I find it deep lyrically, immensely talented musically so what else can I wish for? Not a thing! I am so very happy I came accross Subtle, wishing I can learn more about them and I will (AMG seems to be the place to research a little bit further) but I will say this and then go: The album is Brilliant! "For Hero: For Fool" by Subtle dignifies anyone's collection of great music! What a band!

Subtle's For Hero: For Fool is the album legendary, innovative hip-hop producer J. Dilla would make if he found four like-minded musicians and formed his own indie/rock/electronic/hip-hop band. Put another way, if you liked the eclectic eccentricity of The Avalanches' Since I Left You, and can imagine that band with a lead rapper/singer, then you'd be foolish not to consider adding For Hero: For Fool to your album collection.

i had to write a review about for hero for fool because nobody else had. this album is a joy to listen to. i think you just need to listen to understand, so i'll spare the reasons why. listen and love.