The Submarines - Declare a New State!

Genre rock Publisher Nettwerk External Links Official Submarines Website Official Nettwerk Website

Did you guys know that The Submarines' Blake Hazzard is the great-granddaughter of F. Scott Fitzgerald? That is so freaking awesome! After hearing her band's new album, Declare a New State!, it's obvious that the talent definitely runs in the family.

The Submarines' debut album is about as "indie" as it gets as far as style is concerned, but in a good way. Husband and wife duo John Dragonettie and Blake Hazzard have created an album that is just as mature as it is good. In Postal Service/Mates of State fashion, the two of them sing an entire album about their first go at a relationship, their break-up and the terribleness of not having one another around.

"Peace and Hate" is the first song on the album and has the ring of a future break-up theme, featuring enough catchy indie-pop to still keep you moving. The most fun song on the album is "Vote," which sounds like Her Space Holiday and The Islands, but better. At times, Hazzard's cool voice changes the style of the album to a more melodic, feminine one, while the tracks sung by Dragonettie tend to be more dance-worthy.

The overall theme of loneliness on Declare is under scored with a unique sense of optimism that makes you really pull for these two raconteurs. On "Hope," Dragonettie sings "Aint no sunshine ever gonna take this pain away" in harmony with Hazzard creating one of the sweetest darn indie duo songs ever heard.

Using offbeat sounds and instrumental experimentation throughout the album keeps Declare from getting boring and provides an excellent and unlikely sound for the album's theme. On "This Conversation" it becomes clear that things are going to be fine for these two kids, as well as leaving us with a nice little collection of songs from what could be the next big indie band; that is as long as they don't go off and get a divorce, that is. Though that did end up working for The White Stripes, now, didn't it?