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It rarely happens… I see tons of amazing artwork come through
the doors of records shops, and almost always I am extremely disappointed
with the music that accompanies these releases. Somehow, the worst
possible metal bands and screamo bands seem to have the best taste
in art. But once in a while, a band with talent and musical
finesse comes along that also has great artistic flair. Circa Survive
is one such band. They are in that same loosely defined genre of edgier
rock/metal bands that have somehow fused with the emo sound, but instead
of switching screams for occasional singing, the guys in Circa Survive
seem to prefer singing all of the time. It's a nice change, really.
From the moment that "Holding Someone's Hair Back" begins,
the album is a wash of crisp drumming and beautiful guitar tones,
all offsetting the crystal high tenor of Anthony Green. Green's
voice is edgy and raw, but only rarely sounds like a scream, instead
fitting nicely into the music and creating tension without overpowering
the rest. The music would be equally at home in the cd collections
of emo kids, metalheads, and rock jocks. The guitars bite with trebly
teeth, tearing through the mix with a power rarely found on listenable
records. The drums and bass prove a cohesive force, pinning together
the sublayers of sound and creating the glue that holds everything
together. Keyboards dance in and out of the mix at key points, adding
synthetic ambience and just the right touches of emphasis. But all
the musical pieces fit together nicely to buoy the vocal talent and
brilliant lyricism (for rock music). This is music that is at once
beautiful and harsh, immediate in its delivery and message, with enough
intensity and chutzpah to either create mosh pits or lull the mad
to sleep.
-L. Keane
Track Listing:
1. Holding Someone's Hair Back
2. Act Appalled
3. Wish Resign
4. The Glorious Nosebleed
5. In Fear And Faith
6. The Great Golden Baby
7. Stop The Car
8. We're All Thieves
9. Oh, Hello
10. Always Getting What You Want
11. Meet Me In Montauk
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Circa
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