There’s a man on the inner sleeve who looks like a young Bernard Butler. This is a good sign. The Subcons number the tracks on this sprawling album from 6-18 – the SCAMPS! I’m not sure why they do this, apart from some kerrraazzy concept thing that I’m missing. Any road up, as they don’t say round these parts, ‘Time Has Come’ is, in parts a jolly enjoyable affair. The Subcons remind me a little of the Boo Radleys around that brilliant time between ‘Everything’s Alright Forever’ and ‘Giant Steps’ which spawned so many great, great songs. Except that The Subcons have less of a tendency to turn everything up dead loud. Which is okay, ‘cos I’ve got a blinding headache. Instead, theirs is a quite psyche-pop, tinged with gentle touches of folk, which gives this album a very warm, fuzzy feel. Imagine yourself inside a psychedelic ball of cotton wool, and just snuggle down with The Subcons. They do, after all, deserve your hugs. Sam Metcalf : Tasty Fanzine

Since they have a little “catch the buzzle, my nuzzle” on their press kits, you just know you’re in for a rockin’ good time with some musicians who don’t have to take everything too seriously to make good music. Perhaps that’s why they started their album with five dead tracks—tracks with nothing but dead air and no sound whatsoever—or maybe it was because eighteen tracks is a heck of a lot better than that magical number of thirteen. Curiously natural songs that seem to just perpetuate the theory that a jam is the best way to write are what we have here. However there are too many layers and too few members (just a duo) to be a jam or live session album, though the beginning of “Making Up the Rules” begs to differ. But somehow they manage to exude that feeling of “just right” with the type of muster not heard in a right while in the so-called mainstream of college indie music. Yeah they might not be a name punctuated by CMJ appearances and charting but that’s only because the cats haven’t caught on yet. - J-Sin

Begin: Crickets. All right. That's cool. I can respect that. Wait, now what's this? Bells? Clocks? Ticking? Did I accidentally put in a Floyd album? Wait, here's some acoustic. That's not Floyd. Wait... that melody sounds like Radiohead... first track down and already off to a good start. So I attempted a bit of research on the Subcons before I dove into this review, and in doing so, I realized that no one must know who they are (or I'm really bad a research (which is quite possible)). Not even the ungodly popular and beloved Pitchspork took the time to even listen (okay, I don't actually know that) to Time Has Come, despite it having been around for over three years now. Sure, it may not be the greatest album of the decade or anything, but god damn, I, of all people, was inspired by it enough to write a review (which, as some may know, isn't an everyday occurrence). "The music of the Subcons does not differ terribly from the playful musings of the Shins or the Unicorns," says the little flier that came with the disc, "but also maintains a youthful, desperate expounding—as was mastered by Weezer and Radiohead." I suppose, if anyone, I should trust the band's own flier, but I feel they understated themselves a bit. I certainly can see all which they mentioned, but that's not all. More so than any of said artists, they seem to not be afraid to experiment. From the previously depicted experience of the first track, "Preludio," to the Books-esque spoken samples intermittently dispersed throughout the soothing acoustics of "Head From Home," to the perfectly mixed half-backwards "Postludio." And yet, even still, it embodies the '90s pop simplicity of my childhood (yes, I'm that young), with a wonderfully sprawling range. From the fast-paced distorted guitar work of the post '80s metal bands like Pearl Jam on "When I Was 13," to alternative rockings of Third Eye Blind on "Four Girls" and "Sheila Kennedy." But there's more: Spanish flamenco guitar on "Don't Wanna" and vaguely Bush sounding grunge on "24 Hours." Lots of nice acoustic, some good solid melodies, and overall a smooth upbeat pop reminiscent of, yes, the Shins. I will be looking forward to their next release, due out sometime this year, if I have figured their site correctly. Also, all of the tracks below without a title are four second blank tracks on the disc, so that the track list begins at 6 and goes through 18, "...starting with sunrise at 6am and ending with sunset at 6pm (or, 18:00)," explains their website. (With a "hidden track" at the end). similar albums: Weezer: Weezer (The Blue Album) Third Eye Blind: Third Eye Blind reviewed by zeff.

"Only something this sweet could ever trip my senses" Have you ever had your heart handed back to you, or at worst - trampled upon? I take it from the sound of 'When I Was 13', one of the Subcons guys has had a time or two. The tale of 2 busted relationships - one early teen, the other a high school fling - ends in an all out guitar bash, but not before the guys add a few of the sonic bits that filter all through their full length album 'Time Has Come'. Fletcher Foti and Richard Bruno make up the duo known as the Subcons, and together they have released an album that recalls those of wheat (the early days, mind you) and Philadelphia home-recording team the Twin Atlas. It's the details that will win you over, but the Subcons acoustic craft is what will initially draw you in. As for details, it's moments like the studio applause that is structured in on 'Head for Home' that give Time Has Come it's very own personality - songs that desire repeated listens. From the Lo-Fi / front Speaker switch of 'Making Up The Rules' to the goodnight lullaby of 'Four Girls', the Subcons have created and album that blends a multitude of sounds and leaves you wanting to hear more. As the untitled bonus track sets you on the beach with your found love, the same crickets that introduced the Subcons on 'Preludio' fade. An album for a perfect summer night with all the house windows open, or a drive to find the unknown - it's self-released albums like 'Time Has Come' that make the search worth it. Truly infectious. kaleb