Such an underrated and interesting drummer. His drumming and Anthony's lyrics are probably my favorite components on the new album.
Biggest highlights for me after 3-4 listens are "Premonition" and "Stay." The totally unpredictable chord progressions and vocal melodies are so refreshing after a lot of the past three records. I don't think this record is going to end up in the same tier for me as Juturna/OLG ultimately, but after feeling like they were steadily sliding a bit with each release since OLG, I'm definitely happy to see the trend go the other way here. I also like "Rites" a lot and thought it was by far the best of the three singles, even though it doesn't have that old school Circa vibe at all really.
These lyrics...from what I can parse out...seem very out there. Which I'm thrilled about. Love weird Anthony.
Rites definitely makes more sense in the context of the album. this album doesn't really have a single though. Starting to really like this album. Looks like the national is gonna have to wait until October.
After one listen, a ton of this blended together. Can't tell if it's because of the actual music or the spacey/in a bubble-feeling production. I'm sure it'll grow on me over time though
I was just thinking, damn I love this record I should go to their next tour. And then I was like wait I'm going bc of thrice haha
i like the use of anthony's falsetto a lot, it sounds like he used that as his "new trick" for this album, or at least a theme, and it definitely works. i shouldn't ever judge too much on the first listen, cause i always have expectations for a song that usually don't work out. the second listen is my favorite, because i don't have to worry about those expectations and can just enjoy the songs for what they are and really start getting to know them. this album is definitely growing on me every listen, and it does feel a bit "short" but not in a bad way, i could easily start it over and listen to it multiple times in a row, which is awesome, cause not a lot of albums make me want to do that! also, i love the production, it sounds great to me and is one of my favorite things about this album, is that it doesn't have the same vibe as the last two. if this was mixed like violent waves i don't think i'd like it.
Second listen went over much better than the first. Didn't really lose my attention at all and a lot more stood out to me because of that. Currently of the opinion that this is fucking great and I didn't expect to feel that way cause tbh Lustration as a standalone single really wasn't doing anything for me and that's all I'd heard prior. Some of these songs are just sooooo pretty
the singles should be ANIGW and NTAS probably wouldn't it be sweet af if we got videos for every song on the album
Premonition of the Hex is super different for them... but still manages to have a Juturna feel in the vocals. I loved that.
For some reason - and I really don't have an explanation as to why - I perpetually underrate Juturna in my head. I always think that I like it less than I do. In reality it is my third favorite Circa album and pretty easily has a spot in my top 75-100 albums of all time, but I always think about it as being less than that. Anyways, I just listened to Juturna and heard a lot of The Amulet in it. Which is cool.
I've listened through twice now, this is another solid album for them. At the moment, it doesn't reach the high's of Descensus, but there's not a bad track on it. I need to spend more time with it for sure. There's definitely a lot of experimentation going instrumentally and I really like the increased use of Anthony's falsetto.
That drop out around 2:05 in Premonition where it's just drums and those vocals come in over them is just ughhhhhhhhh so good
I think this is better than descensus and VW but not sure where it sits with the first 3 records.. could grow to be better or sit right behind juturna, time will tell.
i still like Descensus more than this but this is still a good album with flashes of greatness. my review will be positive for sure.
Rites of Investiture and it's explosive alt bridge land a whole lot better in the context of an album that doesn't ever again rely on that certain musical motif. In the past it's felt passè because it was overdone and its effects were under considered in the way that a jump scare flick feels or something.
My main issue with descensus is that it isn't varied enough. I think this album plays with a lot of different tempos and feels and makes it feel like they are going out of their comfort zone more. I will say that nesting dolls is probably better than any song on this record, that's one of my favorite circa songs. I think both records are good but I prefer atmospheric circa to straight ahead rock circa, which may be why I prefer this album to descensus early on.