Pitchfork

[Posted Thursday, September 11th, 2003 17:00:00 Pitchfork Central Time]

What with it being heralded by the band's label, ubiquitous indie thoroughbred Jade Tree, as career-defining and all, you'd think Denali's sophomore release, The Instinct, would be changing the world of frosty indie pop in a Sam Goody near you come October 28th. Judging from the Tree's recent track record though, it's much more likely that Denali's second trip to the plate will serve as more of a comfy spook-rock soirée somewhere between OK and decent. But it's not in my job description to doll out pre-coitus reviews; I just spill the straight facts. Championed as a departure from the "cold, reserved atmosphere" of the band's eponymous debut, The Instinct is said to be keen on shorter songs, quicker tempos and "seeing the world through seemingly new eyes." Neat-o. The tracklisting:

01 Hold Your Breath
02 Surface
03 Run Through
04 The Instinct
05 Do Something
06 Real Heat
07 Nullaby
08 Normal Days
09 Welcome

But before The Instinct is unleashed on an unassuming public, Denali will be hitting the road with indie-pop stalwarts Rainer Maria. And actually, the band will have their new CD with them, so if you want it before the release date, check 'em out. The tour winds all over the U.S. this month, eventually coming to a halt in Harrisonburg, VA. And if that ain't enough, a four week tour with French Kicks, Ester Drang and Earlimart will kick off right after October's CMJ Festival-- dates TBA. The confirmed dates:

09-11 Chicago, IL - Metro
09-12 Champaign, IL - High Dive
09-13 Grinnell, IA - Grinnell College
09-14 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
09-15 Billings, MT - Club Carlin
09-16 Missoula, MT - TBA
09-17 Seattle, WA - Graceland
09-18 Portland, OR - Nocturnal
09-19 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
09-20 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey
09-21 Tucson, AZ - Solar Culture
09-23 Denton, TX - Rubber Gloves
09-24 Austin, TX - Emo's
09-25 Houston, TX - Fat Cats
09-26 Atlanta, GA - Echo Lounge
09-28 Richmond, VA - Virginia Commonwealth University
10-02 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
10-03 Washington, D.C. - Black Cat
10-13 Harrisonburg, VA - JMU