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| Circa Survive - On Letting Go | Artist: Circa Survive
Album: On Letting Go
Label: Equal Vision Records
Release Date: May 29th, 2007
With every new release, bands must find a way to balance progression and familiarity. It’s a fine line to walk: if they change too much, fans call them sellouts. If they stay too much the same, fans berate them for not taking chances. Circa Survive are trying to find that line with On Letting Go.
Beginning with a guitar blast on “Living Together,” the album soon dives headfirst into frontman Anthony Green’s unique vocals. The entire album leans very heavily on Green’s stylings, and rightfully so. His voice is a major selling point for the band, and it is mainly what helps them stand out from the rest of the world’s experimental rockers. With the new album, Green maintains the high-pitched, ethereal qualities he has always shown. While he’s not stepping very far outside his comfort zone, he gives a solid performance on every track. Out of all of Green’s musical projects, I think his voice fits best with the swirling guitars and pounding rhythms of Circa Survive’s songs.
The band keeps up the energy with “In The Morning And Amazing,” a pit-inducing anthem where both instruments and vocals soar. Steve Clifford's drumming is a particular highlight on this track, punctuating Green’s strains perfectly.
You can’t help but feel that you’re getting a glimpse into Green’s mind with the lyrics of “The Greatest Lie.” No wonder people accuse him of drug abuse.
Circa’s music has an otherworldly quality to it that is hard to find in most music. Listening to it feels like falling through space, or wandering through a dark forest alone. Alone is a key word is describing Circa’s sound – there’s a sense of desperation, an intense need to find others to connect with. At the same time, one can feel deeply connected to Green and his band when listening carefully to their songs.
“Mandala” sounds promising with its distorted guitars, but on closer listen it disrupts the flow of the album a bit. It is not really a bad song, but it may have done better placed elsewhere in the tracklisting.
Things don’t pick up again until partway through “Semi Constructive Criticism,” when the guitars crash and Green lets loose with the eerie wails he is so known for. However, even better than this track is “Kicking Your Crosses Down,” which has a heavy, clear beat unlike most Circa songs.
“Carry Us Away” incorporates some beautiful guitar work, as does “Close Your Eyes To See.” The album’s closer, “Your Friends Are Gone,” has a slow buildup to a final minute or two of organized collapse, with Green’s voice soon fading into nothing.
So the question remains: has Circa Survive found that line?
Yes. However, they have a very faint grasp on it. While On Letting Go is an astounding album, almost nothing recorded here shows any great departure from Juturna. So if you were looking for Juturna Part 2, this album will be no disappointment. If you were looking for more experimentation from the man who is known for it, you’ll have to wait for his next release.
Tracklisting:
01. Living Together
02. In The Morning And Amazing *
03. The Greatest Lie
04. The Difference Between Medicine And Poison Is In The Dose
05. Mandala
06. Travel Hymn
07. Semi Constructive Criticism
08. Kicking Your Crosses Down *
09. On Letting Go
10. Carry Us Away
11. Close Your Eyes To See
12. Your Friends Are Gone *
* - standout track
For fans of: The Receiving End Of Sirens, The Sound Of Animals Fighting, Gatsbys American Dream.
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Displaying posts 1 - 10 of 10. |
08:28 PM on 06/08/07 | great review! it's funny how people see things differently, but I personally never liked Juturna, but instantly fell in love with On Letting Go. So to me, this was a bigger jump than it was for you. For me, the standout tracks are "Living Together", "In the Morning...", "The Greatest Lie", and "Kicking Your Crosses Down". I actually think ""Kicking..." is one of the most well-done songs I've heard in a long time, from any band.
Overall, great review! | | |
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09:24 PM on 06/08/07 | poppunkjunkie.blogspot.co m Originally Posted by Brett9 great review! it's funny how people see things differently, but I personally never liked Juturna, but instantly fell in love with On Letting Go. So to me, this was a bigger jump than it was for you. For me, the standout tracks are "Living Together", "In the Morning...", "The Greatest Lie", and "Kicking Your Crosses Down". I actually think ""Kicking..." is one of the most well-done songs I've heard in a long time, from any band.
Overall, great review! |
Thanks! I think I like this album about as much as I like Juturna. I agree that "Kicking Your Crosses Down" is a really impressive song. | | |
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09:27 PM on 06/08/07 | I totally agree with the standout tracks. Good review. | | |
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09:31 PM on 06/08/07 | poppunkjunkie.blogspot.co m Originally Posted by GumbyjagI totally agree with the standout tracks. Good review. |
Thank you  | | |
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10:38 PM on 06/08/07 | is going to cockblock Delaware. I love multiple paragraphs of one sentence. | | |
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02:40 PM on 06/09/07 | poppunkjunkie.blogspot.co m Originally Posted by saysmydoctorI love multiple paragraphs of one sentence. |
I know, I tend to do that. Kind of a bad habit, I guess. | | |
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08:25 AM on 06/11/07 | nice review. but i unlike someone above really disagree with the standout tracks,.. for me if it's about this album most standout track is probably mandala and if it's overally about circa then it would be kicking your crosses down ;> but it's only my opinion, You know.. i listened to this album like 50 times already haha, it's really great | | |
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07:28 PM on 07/02/07 | Good review, but i think the lyrics took a turn from the abstract. They seem much more literal, like they wanted the listeners to be able to more easily understand and relate. I love this cd, but lyrically, juturna is more interesting. | | |
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02:16 AM on 07/09/07 | only band that matters to me right now
new album is awesome
Juturna part 2, yes please and thank you very much | | |
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