Circus Circus
Locomotive Records 2004
By Jason Jordan
Contrary to what you might believe, I did not adopt my moniker after being exposed to Circus. Actually, for those of you that arent aware, the phrase Circus Brimstone is a song, which was penned by The Flower Kings. Back to the matter at hand though Circus is nicely done, but the band is perhaps more unintentionally comical than Id prefer them to be.
I dont know what it is about Spanish, as a language, that makes it inherently funny when combined with music; maybe the synergy is just unnatural. Still, I may react differently because much of my academic life has been spent in a classroom studying the aforementioned tongue. Despite my ranting, Circus are surprisingly cool. Otra Voz sounds vaguely similar to Discouraged Ones-era Katatonia, only musically. The vocalizations as you can imagine are stylistically different. Claudia fades in, and relies on a solid melody line while utilizing keys for piquancy. The smug vocals are too dramatic in some places, however. Dos Mentiras took me aback with its pleasing balance of harmony. Mientras Me Armo de Valor is the requisite ballad. Interior, and its success, hinges on the edginess and unsettling synths found within; unfortunately, the verses are on the weak end of the spectrum. The album ends with the subtle No Soy Yo. In between are many tracks that are not unlike the rest of the records compositions. In other words, you know precisely what youll get.
I cant fathom being impressed with Circus at this point, but I am optimistic about where theyre seemingly headed. Arguably, itd be advantageous for them to sing in English: audiences may be more receptive. I hope that well witness greater things from this group in the future, nevertheless Circus isn't as fun as its name implies it will be.
7/10
Official Circus website
Official Locomotive Records website
Locomotive Records 2004
By Jason Jordan
Contrary to what you might believe, I did not adopt my moniker after being exposed to Circus. Actually, for those of you that arent aware, the phrase Circus Brimstone is a song, which was penned by The Flower Kings. Back to the matter at hand though Circus is nicely done, but the band is perhaps more unintentionally comical than Id prefer them to be.
I dont know what it is about Spanish, as a language, that makes it inherently funny when combined with music; maybe the synergy is just unnatural. Still, I may react differently because much of my academic life has been spent in a classroom studying the aforementioned tongue. Despite my ranting, Circus are surprisingly cool. Otra Voz sounds vaguely similar to Discouraged Ones-era Katatonia, only musically. The vocalizations as you can imagine are stylistically different. Claudia fades in, and relies on a solid melody line while utilizing keys for piquancy. The smug vocals are too dramatic in some places, however. Dos Mentiras took me aback with its pleasing balance of harmony. Mientras Me Armo de Valor is the requisite ballad. Interior, and its success, hinges on the edginess and unsettling synths found within; unfortunately, the verses are on the weak end of the spectrum. The album ends with the subtle No Soy Yo. In between are many tracks that are not unlike the rest of the records compositions. In other words, you know precisely what youll get.
I cant fathom being impressed with Circus at this point, but I am optimistic about where theyre seemingly headed. Arguably, itd be advantageous for them to sing in English: audiences may be more receptive. I hope that well witness greater things from this group in the future, nevertheless Circus isn't as fun as its name implies it will be.
7/10
Official Circus website
Official Locomotive Records website
