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Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise CD (album) cover

BLUE SKY NOISE

Circa Survive

Crossover Prog


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4 stars I didn't know what to expect from this album with their first single "Get out" which is a badass piece of work opening to a new style keeping their signature melodies but with tighter guitar parts. The first listens of the album left me unsatisfied but I can't stop myself listening to it. I received it one week ago and I listened to it at least one time a day. The album is more energetic and less melancholic than its predecessors. This is great because they show us what they are capable to do. The rhythm section is upgraded here whilst still working hard on the melodies. They reached the perfect balance of melodies and rhythm. They still have the sad emotional lyrics but with more aggressiveness in the music.

Long time fans will still recognize what they fell in love with but with more crisp, energy and aggressiveness.

Report this review (#277855)
Posted Wednesday, April 14, 2010 | Review Permalink
1 stars I want to begin by saying that I have deep respect for Anthony Green's work in Circa, as well as with The Sound of Animals Fighting, Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer, Good Old War, etc. Steve Clifford and Nick Beard have laid down some of the most badass rhythm section work to date. I adore Juturna and On Letting Go, Circa's two former full-lengths.

But if you are expecting something on par with Circa's former work, you won't buy this album.

Compare these lyrics from "Stop the Car" off Juturna:

"Spinning lights, don't be scared, You have given so much more. Spinning lights, take me there, He has risen, pull me under. Don't stop talking to me, I haven't been listening."

with "Imaginary Enemy:"

"You're so careless, careless. How did you get so ungrateful? You treat me like I'm a disease and it's been killing me."

As you can see, the lyrics have downgraded tremendously, and this trend continues with every other element of the band. I'll work from the bottom up. Steve Clifford's drumming on Juturna is fantastic; on OLG, god-like. He opens solo on "The Difference Between Medicine and Poison..." and that groove alone stands to prove his prowess as a drummer. Compare that, or any other groove on OLG, to Blue Sky Noise, and you will find a poorly simplified, poorly recorded sound that doesn't belong.

Being a bass player, I have always been envious of Nick Beard's style and sound. That stops with Blue Sky Noise. When Beard is audible, he does not groove. He sounds crunchy and disconnected, overlooked. Colin Frangicetto and Brendan Eckstrom, Circa's twin guitarists, seemed more interested in making up crummy build-ups than focusing on their tone and playing. They don't sound like they've developed as musicians.

Of course, Green's singing is respectable as always. He has the kind of powerful, unique voice that can cut through lame instrumentals. Unfortunately, his vocals are dumbed down and over-mastered. Gone are the subtle harmonies and counter-melodies of his former work. He sounds like he's trying too hard.

And that is another common thread of BSN. This sounds like a hastily mastered, poorly written album by a new band trying to get their sound out, not like established musicians with a dedicated fan base that are broadening their horizon.

If you took any band that had two strong albums on a respectable indie label like Equal Vision, and gave them a massive contract with Atlantic, change would be expected. If you were to take said band and give them the opportunity to work with people like David Bottrill and Rich Costey, a year devoted to writing alone, and a massive major label contract, you would expect a great album. Mainstream? Yes. Easier on the ears than their former work? Yes. The shoddy, inebriating, poppy-bull[&*!#]-schlep that is Blue Sky Noise?

No.

Report this review (#278993)
Posted Thursday, April 22, 2010 | Review Permalink
4 stars I'll be perfectly honest. Circa are not a prog band. They are a true-to-god Indie rock band. Whilst I would not usually even contemplate listening to Indie, Circa have always been one of the bands to grab my attention. This was propelled even further with this effort, a great display of spangly production and great guitar work. At times, they sound like Coheed and Cambria, at other times they sound like Fall of Troy. Particular highlights are "Get Out", "The Longest Mile" and "Glass Arrows", not to mention the brilliant "Frozen Creek", easily Circas best song to date. The few flaws in it are the fact that the songs are generally more pop-orientated than on On Letting Go or Juturna. This isn't always a bad thing, but occassionally it does fall on it's face a bit. On the whole, a great album which will please the fans a lot.
Report this review (#284824)
Posted Friday, June 4, 2010 | Review Permalink
Marty McFly
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
2 stars I abandoned concept of "genre of my liking" some time ago, so I can't say that I don't like this kind of music. Nah, the closest would probably be "The Dear Hunter" with performance similar to emo, only done in Prog way (variable, interesting, full of twists, yet melody hooks). Here, screaming and melody remains, but not much more. And I think that this kind of music works with you only if you like this kind of music. Otherwise, it's ranging from listenable and annoying with some interesting points. It's quite long album, 49 minutes + 16 minutes of bonuses (if you have release with them).

2(+), consider that 1)I have heard a lot of music like Circa Survive is making here (genre popular these days), 2)There's not much Prog in this music, if there is something 3)it's quite repetitive. No from me on this one.

Report this review (#293283)
Posted Tuesday, August 3, 2010 | Review Permalink
3 stars 23rd January, 2023: Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise (alternative rock, 2010)

I could honestly just word-for-word repeat what I wrote about On Letting Go last year - to the point where I could have sworn it was this one I reviewed. I listened to this a bit when I was very young in an attempt to fit in, and I never really got it. Nearly a decade later, I actually have become a moderate fan of their later work, in particular Descensus, and this actually is opening itself up a bit. Perhaps it's that pesky "prog" tag - there is very little prog here, and thinking as such might mislead you. There are occasional bits of that infectious passion, and some strong performances instrumentally, but for too long they're dodging good melodies in an attempt to sound whimsical. It's not even about Green's vocals, I actually don't mind his style at all. I think this has grown on me a bit, but on the whole it is a touch unremarkable.

5.9 (4th listen)

Part of my listening diary from my facebook blog: www.facebook.com/TheExoskeletalJunction

Report this review (#702081)
Posted Sunday, April 1, 2012 | Review Permalink

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