Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise
Rating
RIYL
SaosinCoheed and Cambria
Good Old War
Release Date
04/20/2010
Label
Atlantic RecordsTracklist
1. Strange Terrain2. Get Out
3. Glass Arrows
4. I Felt Free
5. Imaginary Enemy
6. Through the Desert Alone
7. Frozen Creek
8. Fever Dreams
9. Spirit of the Stairwell
10. The Longest Mile
11. Compendium
12. Dyed in the Wool
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The year is 2010, and Anthony Green and company have returned with Circa Survive's third album. Three years after the popular On Letting Go and their debut, Juturna, the group delivers another ethereal pop-indie-prog outing in the form of Blue Sky Noise. The album is less lethargic and dreamy than Juturna and explores more sonic realms than on the previously straightforward On Letting Go. Also, if anyone would dare to call the first two efforts even slightly melancholy in sound, Blue Sky Noise is the opposite. I wouldn't go as far as to call it a “happy” album, but there is a definite change in the sound of Circa Survive.
The album opens with “Strange Terrain,” which features a bouncing introduction and a large, swirling chorus. Green's vocals are clearer than ever before, and the multiple layers of instrumentation make a significant impact on the overall feel of the song. There is a definite coating of signature Circa on top, but underneath it are more changes in dynamics and an atmosphere which has not yet been heard from the band. The track segues directly into the album's first single, “Get Out”. The powerful second track carries on that new air of the album, yet immediately expands on the strengths of each band member from their previous work. Unwavering vocals, a slightly exotic guitar sound, and perfect bass and drum locking all intertwine to form one of my favorite songs by the band and my first indicator that this was to be an album to look out for in 2010. “Glass Arrows” is the first track on the album that seems like a return to the band's earlier sound, easily being mistaken for something from the Juturna era. The non-stop motion and Green's all-encompassing vocal style are similar to what the band's listeners have grown with and the refresh of the style is, well, refreshing.
The fourth song, “I Felt Free,” is one of the album's strongest tracks. It's simple in construction, filled out with delay-drenched background guitar and a subdued vocal melody, but the song ends up meshing like one would expect it to on a Circa album and produces quite the effect of a powerful song. “Imaginary Enemy” is a busier song, featuring well-placed and calculated bass grooves amongst very subtle vocal harmonies and a dynamic song structure. The guitar solo toward the end of the song serves to reinforce its overall theme instead of showing off, outlining chords and progressing the motion of the track quite well. As much as I hate to use the term “mature” when describing music, the band is showing signs of songwriting improvement that definitely recalls that cliché. “Through the Desert Alone” does nothing to weaken that view, as it features another stellar bass performance by Nick Beard and an equally-showy and sustaining effort on guitar by both Colin Frangicetto and Brendan Ekstrom.
“Frozen Creek” is a track stolen by Green's deceptive vocal melodies and clear guitar parts by Frangicetto. Hearing Anthony sing the words “burial ground” cements the track as my favorite from Blue Sky Noise, aside from the final song, which we've yet to get to. “Fever Dreams” is introduced with a serious acoustic guitar phrase and the song develops from there. “Spirit of the Stairwell” is another primarily acoustic track, which is always a good sound for the band. Rounding it out is a piano and a cleverly placed slide guitar, which proves that the band is growing further in their musical exploration. Following one more song and “Compendium,” an interlude, we finally reach “Dyed in the Wool”. The song is a fantastic closer and easily the best song of the entire album. It has an optimistic and hopeful tone about it, locked down by Steve Clifford on drums and Green's absolutely mesmerizing vocal performance. The song builds and builds, finally releasing and ending the album on a positive note.
As I've said before, Blue Sky Noise is a turn from previous Circa Survive material, but at the same time retains their familiar sound. Fans of old shouldn't shy away from this album without a proper listen, and newcomers to the band should embrace the old material to get a sense of how far the band has come and how it still reflects the band's early side. Each album insures its own unique spot in the band's discography, and Blue Sky Noise is no different. The album features the band's most accessible music yet and that by no means decries the band's work. Blue Sky Noise is an experiment in music, and long time fans, along with many new listeners, will immediately be able to appreciate the time and effort put into one of the best albums of 2010.
--Cody Rogers
Comments
If this is not a 5 five stars album I don't know what to believe, I think the whole record is completely stellar,mature,focused and incredible. The production is awesome,they have grow a lot and I think that this is their best so far. Awesome.
New Jersey
Most of the songs are good by themselves and there's definitely standout tracks, but it doesn't have the direction or atmosphere Juturna had.
when i see it in your eyes
i just want to go blind
PA
Good review. I'm in love with this CD.
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Illinois
i'm loving i felt free so much, i hope its the next single.
i also agree with 4 and a half stars because it really isn't THAT perfect that people make it out to be, but what can i say, i think it might be the album of the year so far for me.
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Raleigh, NC
Thanks duder. Glad your whole thing with Atlantic got sorted out, haha.
This is a killer album, and I was glad to hear that it wasn't On Letting Go Pt. 2, because I personally wasn't a fan of that one.
Infinitely Inwards
I was also really suprised by this album, very good.
Ever Forthright - Ever Forthright
Fallujah - The Harvest Wombs
The New Law - The Fifty Year Storm
ERRA - Impulse
Aborted - Global Flatline
Steven Wilson - Grace for Drowning
Crippled Black Phoenix - (Mankind)The Crafty Ape
Alabama
I really enjoy this album and I was kind of let down a little when On Letting Go came out.
NJ
i agree. Juturna was amazing and On Letting Go was kinda meh for me. actually liking this album was a surprise for me
Go FLYERS Go
Lehigh Valley, PA
This album is simply amazing. I'm tired of hearing people bitch that it does not sound like their older shit. Get over it. It's amazing.
Dallas, TX
Nice review Cody. I really liked the album on my first couple of listens, now I love it. I wouldn't say its better than Juturna but it certainly doesnt fall far behind at all, its a different sound and a refreshing change.
Illinois
ya cody, you really hit on every point that was in my head about this album, good review
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Atascadero, CA
yea way good review, gets me more stoked to go back again and again.. thinking i need to buy this cd, first album purchase in a looong time.
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Leeds, England
Y'all are fanboys. Album isn't terrible, but it's such a disappointment in many ways. The music lacks their trademark atmosphere, and Green's vocals a lot of the time sound forced to me.
Coopersburg, PA
I definitely wish they add a few atmospheric songs on this album instead of totally bailing on that aspect of their sound, but this is a fantastic album for what it is. I can't make it through Juturna or On Letting Go without losing interest or skipping songs, but I can actually listen to this whole album and still come back for more. It's more diverse and Anthony Green is actually singing melodies instead of just opening his mouth and singing...makes a huge difference.
Wilmington DE
This is the first Circa Survive album i have enjoyed and I am all for atmospheric music. Their previous catalog consists of 3 songs I kinda like and maybe I never gave it a chance to grow on me but I had no interest in doing so. I was actually able to listen to this front to end and not get too bored (except for a song or two). And I also like the fact that anthony is singing some catchier melodies on this album. They have room to grow if they expand on this sound on the next album.
Listening to:
Tides of Man
Oceansize
The Contortionist
We are the City
Periphery
Illinois
i think the main thing about this album is that it's more accessible. i've told friends who have never liked circa to listen, and they've loved it.
also, i've never liked circa as much as i do now. their last album were decent, but nothing ever struck me. i did enjoy green's solo album quite a bit, but this is a different genre for the most part.
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Edmonton, AB
Completely disappointed with this album. I just haven't been able to get excited about this band since Juturna. This album sounds like new U2.
Pittsburgh, PA
This is beauty, plain and simple.
RAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Wilmington DE
now thats just a low blow! If this sounds like new U2 then I guess everything that is indie rock with guitars that have a hint of delay is also U2.
Listening to:
Tides of Man
Oceansize
The Contortionist
We are the City
Periphery
Colorado
I like the album, but I enjoyed On Letting Go much more.
Minnesota
Forgive me for taking so long to listen to this (it wasn't much of a priority for me), but after getting through it, I liked it well enough, but I still struggle to see the uncanny amazing-ness that so many other people do. It can't be just Anthony Green because even though he's a very good vocalist, he's not that amazing. The instrumentation is nicely done, but feels more "safe" than on their last two. I like this more than On Letting Go, but still think Juntara is their best.
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