Circa Survive is a cool alternative indie band full of creativity, potential and skill. One thing which really stands out about Circa Survive is the vocalist, Anthony Green. Anthony Green was in Saosin in early 2004, and was off on the right foot in the music scene. Saosin was a hardcore project of Green, but some things just "didnt click" about the whole situation. So he conviently went back to his hometown for oral surgery. There, he met old friend and Circa Survive guitarist Colin Frangicetto. They began working on demos and playing with records, and soon became a full-fledged band, and Anthony Green dropped out of Saosin. Circa Survive became popular with its EP and debut album Juturna. So far, as a reviewer, I've seen them at Warped Tour (although they had terrible audiomixing) and have the album. I'm suprised no one reviewed this before, let alone added it to the review box!
Personally, I feel this is one of the best indie albums I've heard in a while. I'd describe it as driving along mountains and just staring out the window and thinking crazy thoughts about light and darkness. I am not really into the indie pool, actually, I'm more of a metal person. But the vocals, the history, and cool recording styles really caught my eye. If you are above the average ape, then you should have gotten the cool recording style - one guitar in one ear, and one in another, never playing in unison, and shredding interesting chords and melodies. The guitars really stand out, although the bass is truly lackluster.
TRACK-X-TRACK
Holding Someone's Hair Back - This is a great way to start an album! It isn't a lame filler track of noise and keyboards, although it does start with a sampler intro. It plays some nice chord patterns, and jumps into some wild competition between guitars. Combine this with the introduction of Green's thrilling vocals and nonsensical lyrics. It's really a good song. 4/5
Act Appalled - Act Appalled is definitley the most intricate, perfect song on this album. It is roller-coaster of guitars going back and forth between emotional high notes of Green. It really captures all the style of Circa Survive. This song is probably the most popular, too, but Circa Survive is definitley not selling out. Follow the great verses and chorus, it throws in an emotional breakdown with beautiful note patterns and guitar riffs. 5/5
Wish Resign - A very odd yet beautiful intro of guitar noise and Greens nonsensical yet deep lyrics get this track moving. then comes the guitars dueling, which is still not getting old. And a quick, exciting and building chorus makes this track pretty nice. The bridge is also cool, with some sampler action and guitar sounds, it sounds a bit like the verse. This track isn't quite as good as the others, but its still worth listening too. 3.5/5
The Glorious Nosebleed - Jumping immediatley into a high pitched emotional shout of creative lyrics of feeling and compassion, it builds up with some good basswork, followed by some emotional guitarplay, taking a nice break from the intense dueling. It is very pretty. The breakdown reminds me of something pink floyd would play, but the nonsensical lyrics will put you in a bizzarre happy trance. 4/5
In Fear and Faith - Some guitarworks and samplers come in to give an airry feel to this song. Then Green's brilliant vocal sound comes in with some backup higher-octaved vocals. The song is generally depressing and reminds you of that feeling of leaving someone special and regretting it. The chorus makes you feel sad; with "congratulations. go home now." said very airrily. 3.5/5
The Great Golden Baby - Circa Survive loves this track, as I learned at Warped Tour when they played it twice, in the encore too. It is the feeling of flying and watching everyone you see below and thinking about their lives. The guitars spin around your head, doing the odd ear-by-ear thing which is beautiful. 4.5/5
Stop the F*ckin' Car - This track is very washy feeling, and its starting to get repetitive, even if it sounds good. Right about now, you realize despite the songs sounding good, they sound similar, with a guitarnoise chorus and the same recording style, you realize that you could be OK with only two of the best songs. However, a cool breakdown adds to the flavor of the song. 3/5
We're All Thieves - Another spinning around, but this one starts with one side of your head playing chords and one side playing noise and notes, making it exceptional. And the drums really stand out skill-wise, with some interesting lyrics. 4/5
Oh Hello - The least repetitive sounds more like an Alkaline Trio song then a Circa Survive one, with a chord-y intro, and a pickslide. Even a scream, which was suprising, and some crescendo-rolls on the snare drum. This track stands out a lot with an impressive yet repetitive chorus. 4.5/5
Always Getting What You Want - Falling back into the formula of the old songs, of air and melodic riffs, this one has some residue of Oh Hello with a pickslide, but with more cymbal action and some spinning vocals, and more emotional lyrics. 3.5/5
Meet Me in Montauk - A good way to end the album, with acoustic song? I'll let you decide that one, but I suppose I liked it. I was wondering if they were going to put some acoustics in here, they are very suited for it. Barely produced, floating acoustics as if you were sitting around a campfire with Anthony, listening to his friend play guitar, as you sit next to a girl of your dreams, and you are falling asleep. No drums or bass appear here, but its a good way to end an album.
