CIRKUS V: TRAPEZE

CIRKUS are a band from the UK, who have slipped under my trapeze 'til now. Hey, they actually are active since 1973! Looks like the crew went on hiatus at the end of the last century, but then surprisingly entered the trip once again in 2017. A good reason for being curious what is happening today, isn't it? Interestingly keyboarder Derek Miller seems to be the only constant, right from the very start. The suffix 'V', well, this won't point to the fifth band incarnation, I'm quite sure. So much the more rather reflecting the fact that this is the fifth album contributed by this band over the course of time, simple as that. Or maybe this is due to the need to differenciate from another active eponymous band from Quebec, Canada?

Anyway, this circus has four male singer in the ranks here, wow. Besides Paul Moose Harris, Mick Maughan and Nick Mao also Dave Ramshaw, who is running the associated music label furthermore. Hence consequently the vocals are a trademark, a real strength in general. Not sure though if the particular voices are playing any role concerning the album's context, are reserved for different protagonists for example, as I didn't manage to find more essential informations. Circus and trapeze, that's a valid conjunction in any case. The trapeze may also symbolize mankinds swinging between the poles of good and bad. The melancholic instrumental Late Heavy Bombardment and the mysterious cover image probably indicate this.

On the other hand - 'If you feel like there's no tomorrow, you've got to find a way for Another Day' - given with positive vibe, groove and rocking attitude this one belongs to my personal album highlights. Very nice, definitely a sing-along case. Overall seen CIRKUS have launched a proper though not necessarily spectacular neo prog album. Musically the twelve songs are showing them on very melodic and mostly mid-tempo paths, with nice guitar work all over plus spacey keyboards. Not far away from the likes of Final Conflict, Pallas, Twelfth Night and similar, but additionally provided with more art rock flair.