|
|
|
|
| Circus Circus Brooklyn Nightlife |
| |
Full Review | User Ratings (5) |
| Summary: A small-time band with big-time skills that’s definitely worth your attention. |
1 of 1 thought this review was well written
Screamo was derived from hardcore punk. A lot of people seem to forget that aspect of the genre as screamo is constantly getting used more and more for hardcore and metalcore acts. With the last glimmer of old school screamo chaos broken up in the form of the late and great Hot Cross, there is thankfully a just as capable band that is willing to step up and fill their shoes. Circus! Circus! may sound like a horrible lounge act of a name but these boys don’t clown around.
“Brooklyn Nightlife” wastes no time on getting atmospheric like so many bands do with unnecessary intro tracks. Opting for a great picking intro they immediately break into a drumbeat and then suddenly a voice cries out in a wail that is somewhere between a scream and a yell. Hell breaks loose as everything tumbles into a chaotic throwdown that shifts and jitters more than grandpa’s vintage Ford Model T. I cannot guarantee you won’t bust a few lamps in your house before the first song is over. Every song on this album has its own distinct melody and pacing. It might feel melded together on your first listen but you’ll be able to recognize each of the tracks styles the further you listen.
The guitars are primo and probably some of the most intricate rhythm and melody you can get before you start to head into the realm of prog rock. There’s really no way to put into words just how loopy and trippy the guitars can be. Trying to follow them is probably the closest a straight-edge kid like me is gonna get to the feeling of being high on peyote.
The drumming is beyond incredible. His style is schizophrenic yet it fits so well with the guitars that I found myself attempting to emulate his output on my steering wheel anytime I was at a stop light, much to my younger sister’s chagrin. It’s hard to believe that talent like this isn’t being used by a bigger band like Dillinger Escape Plan or such. His capability behind the set cannot be stressed enough. Seriously, his sonic blasts are one of the most compelling things to hit my ears in my life.
The bass is hard to hear amongst all the chaos and even when you hear it it’s not doing anything too incredible like the other set pieces here, but it definitely has some parts where it contributes to the groove and it doesn’t sound like he’s being lazy here either as there’s always pounding one string or another.
The vocals are the weakest part but then again I’m not a huge fan of hardcore punk so these vocals aren’t really in my taste anyhow. But they definitely fit and sometimes it’s a little creepy how close the singer comes to the vocals in Hot Cross. Songs like “Amputee Ball” and “Telepathic Chat” have sections where he emulates the former almost to a dime. His singing is very hard to put a tack on, it switches between shouting and screaming almost each word yet never once does it feel like he forced something out that wasn’t supposed to be there.
It’s surprising that these guys have yet to be recognized fully. They are resurrecting a style of music that is on the verge of extinction and hopefully there will be more bands that can pull it off as well as these guys can, then perhaps we’ll have hope for real screamo. If you were a fan of Hot Cross then I recommend this CD in the fullest, you will not regret it. For those of you looking for something a little more complex in their music than what most people are offering right now, this is a compelling listen. For anyone who doesn’t like hardcore, stay the hell away; this is take no prisoners craziness that might split your ears and overload your brain. If you don’t like hardcore, learn to like it so you can get into this CD because it is definitely one of the better/best releases this year.
Pros:
+It’s intricacy is amazing
+The potential here is mouthwatering
+Mind-blowing guitar work and drumming that will spin your head
Cons:
-Not everyone will like the yell/sing/scream thing the singer has
-First listen through might feel a little blended together
|
| Recent reviews by this author | | |
Good review. Where did you get this, I can't find it anywhere.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I bought it on itunes. As for trying to download it by alternative methods I can't help ya there. You know what's a super duper bitch is trying to get a hold of their older release "Hut, Hut, Hike" (which was the whole reason I got into them). I still haven't managed to find a place to download it, I'm planning on ordering it over CD Baby when christmas is finished.
Digging: In Fear and Faith - Your World On Fire | | | Album Rating: 4.5
if you want a preview of their music here's a url:
http://www.purevolume.com/circuscircus
This Message Edited On 11.19.08
| | |
this isn't real screamo, in fact, no where close to any style of screamo.
Digging: Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
| | |
Quote:
|
but these boys don’t clown around
|
wow.... just... wow
Digging: Esperanza Spalding - Esperanza
| | |
god damn it, letting my friend use my account.
This Message Edited On 11.19.08
| | |
I'm gonna give these dudes a listen soon. My roommate bought it last week but won't let me listen...
Digging: Lights Out Asia - Eyes Like Brontide
| | |
pretty average
wish bands would lay off the !'s too.
Digging: Small Leaks Sink Ships - Until The World Is Happy
| | |
"but these boys don’t clown around"
rofl
Digging: Disillusion - Back To Times Of Splendor
| | |
Circus! Circus! is all right. I've had a few of their songs on my computer for a good long while, but I haven't paid them too much attention. I can enjoy the technicality, though.
Digging: Cynic - Traced In Air
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Sorry about the clown around thing but sometimes when you have a dumb pun you have to use it to remember what good jokes sound like.
This Message Edited On 11.19.08
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
wtf you're straight edge and don't like hardcore punk music?
nice review tho. Been enjoying these guys for a few years now.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
straight-edge can be a lifestyle too bro. I'm straight-edge in the manner that I don't participate in drugs, alchohol, or sex. I abstain from all these things which is referred to as straight-edge lifestyle. sorry if I threw you for a loop there.
| | |
|
| |
