The Out Circuit Pierce The Empire With A Sound
  Full ReviewUser Ratings (4)
Tracklist:
1 Come out Shooting
2. Passchendaele
3. Across the Light
4. The Contender
5. The Hexagon
6. The Fall of Las Vegas
7. We
8. Lost Pilot
9. New Wine
10, Scarlet


Release Date: 02/12/2008

You Say:
4.3
superb

On 3 Lists

Recommended by Reviewer:

Radiohead - Kid A
Thrice - Vhiessu
Thrice - The Alchemy Index: Vol I and II

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Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vols. III and IV...
4
excellent
Alexander (3 Reviews)

2008-09-12 | 10 comments | 496 views

Summary: Rock experimental landscape adventure.

1 of 1 thought this review was well written

New York City: known to be the greatest city in the world. I have been blessed to enjoy the life of living in Queens (a borough of NYC). As an avid music listener, and a musician, the city is a great place for me to wander and explore to ponder and find inspiration when listening to music. I usually like walking during the cloudy days or dark nights up and down empty streets. There are multiple albums I could list that I listen to upon pondering although Pierce The Empire With A Sound (written by The Out Circuit) is one of the more unique albums I have which provide a rather eclectic music listening experience.

The Out Circuit is the one-man project of the ex-Frodus bassist Nathan Burke. At its core, The Out Circuit is an experimental rock band going in and out of ambient soundscapes, indie rock, post rock, and at times oddball hardcore. The songs individually may feel odd, but album as a whole Pierce The Empire With A Sound provides one beast of a listening experience.

I have not heard much from Frodus (few random tracks then and there). The song "Come Out Shooting" kicks open with a gnarly raw bass and weird synths over a tight drum pattern. The rawness is something old Frodus fans could find reminiscent of Burke's older work. The song features the screaming vocals from Sean Ingram of Coalesce (Side note: there are a number of guests spots which will go into as the review goes deeper.) This goes right into the track Passchendale which gives ways to soft soundscapes and soft soothing vocals reminiscent of Radiohead.

The album continues through with a mysterious feel as it progresses through different tracks. On "The Contender" The Out Circuit goes Post-Hardcore with a driving thick bass line and a tight drum pattern and features guest vocals of Dustin Kensure from Thrice. The thick bass tones and tight drums also drive halfway in the instrumental "Hexagon" when the soft piano chords are not contouring the sound.

Other songs worth mentioning are "The Fall of Las Vegas" which goes back into the screamoness over a single synth and drums by Sean Ingram. Teppei from Thrice plays guitar on the soft pop of "New Wine" (in addition to producing/mixing the record).The best song (debatable) on the album is the song "Across The Light.” Which finds a perfect blend and balance with the rhythm section and atmospherics over the soft vocals of Nathan and Rachel Burke. The album closer "Scarlet" is an extremely soothing song with soft baby lush keyboard tones and low-key drums, ending the album beautifully. Overall, there are not any true flaws in the albums other than the album feeling slightly inconsistent (although it is experimental so what can you expect...).

It is a very ridiculous comparison. But combined Radiohead's Kid A and Thrice's Vheissu (ironic since Dustin and Teppei were involved) and somewhere in middle you get Pierce The Empire With A Sound. With this, The Out Circuit's balance with the driving rhythm section and open soundscapes with a variety of vocals create one of the unique experimental albums of the year. If you are fan of (new) Thrice , Radiohead, Frodus and similar experimental bands I highly suggest you check this project out.



http://virb.com/theoutcircuit

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AlexTM510


Comments: 65
09.12.08

Album Rating: 4

I didn't spellcheck, will do it later. Got Class now =P

Digging: The Flashbulb - Soundtrack to a Vacant Life

handoman


Comments: 585
09.12.08

Album Rating: 4.5

I was checking this out like a month ago. I'll have to check it out again.

Digging: Meneguar - Strangers in Our House

astrel


Comments: 1715
09.12.08


**** I love this. Thank you. Good review, except for your 3rd paragraph reads very awkwardly.

Digging: dredg - El Cielo

handoman


Comments: 585
09.12.08

Album Rating: 4.5

I just bought this on Itunes. Its pretty sweet so far.

AlexTM510


Comments: 65
09.13.08

Album Rating: 4

Awesome handoman =) yea it's pretty sweet



This guy is def. underrated and needs to be played out more.

bustyagunz


Comments: 806
09.13.08


ey man do u live in astoria?

n good review

Digging: Thursday/Envy - Thursday/Envy

thejared


Comments: 56
09.13.08


i think i am going to check them out after this review .. sounds like i would like them

Digging: Past Lives - Strange Symmetry

AlexTM510


Comments: 65
09.13.08

Album Rating: 4

Thanks and haha yes I do live in Astoria

thejared


Comments: 56
09.13.08


just listened to this ... kickass!!! so good .. i think im going to try to pick this up today or tomorrow

handoman


Comments: 585
09.13.08

Album Rating: 4.5

Im surprised more people dont know about this. Im sure thrice fans will love it.



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