When lead singer Anthony Green left the nearly-popular rock metal Saosin for something new and a bit more experimental, there was a good chance that he could wreck both endeavors. Saosin (a Chinese proverb meaning “small heart” or “love cautiously”) had just released the EP Translating the Name, which was a smash hit. Just as the record deals began to pour in, Green left without looking back. Within two years, Green had released the first full album with Circa Survive.
Juturna (2005) is nothing if not cryptic. Though it has been critically acclaimed, most are not willing to let Circa Survive turn into another Mars Volta – that is, they want lyrics that actually make sense. It’s not that they don’t form comprehensive thoughts and stories, but there’s an inside joke that the band isn’t sharing. With song titles like “The Glorious Nosebleed” and “The Great Golden Baby,” it’s not too far off the mark to say they were trying to evoke the gods of bombast. It only helps the case to note that the songs have seemingly nothing at all to do with the titles.
Circa Survive is certainly not a bad group. Green has left behind the predictable chord progressions and rock cliches of Saosin, and the band has found a nice mature sound for a freshman album. The lead singer has grown considerably since his debut with Saosin, though his self-indulgence wears a bit thin not too far in. Echoing guitar riffs, truly interesting percussion, and arrangements that would not be too bad on their own – all become somewhat tainted by Green’s efforts to sound and feel authentically genius. Sadly, it comes off as more of an affair with the strange and annoying. Musically, it is good writing. Vocally, it becomes awkward – like someone singing a trumpet part with interpreted words. Not to mention that Green manages to sound as if he’s singing about something important that he has trouble understanding how to relate its importance. Perhaps that’s unfair because of the mood he tries to evoke, but sounding unaffected can be contagious to the listener.
Regardless of any complaints against the album, it’s been a relative success and rightfully so. No one’s first time up to bat gives a .1000, and it’s good to experiment and push capabilities up front instead of having mid-life crises. But it becomes painfully obvious that Circa Survive is aware of its own relative immaturity (all members come from previous bands) and has some vendetta against the low standard for fresh bands. By doing so, they have opened themselves up to a new brand of criticism. It sounds as though the band is so anxious to sound like rock prodigies that they cemented themselves into mature sounds that the critics – or they themselves – hadn’t quite warmed up to yet. Thus the expectations for Circa Survive are high and just as pretentious as their lyrics – perhaps giving them enough rope to hang themselves with.
20 comments
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March 15, 2007 at 6:02 am
W.E.B. Adamant
A/N: I chose to review Circa Survive because I really really like their music, but I needed to step back and look at them critically and understand why I like them. Perhaps they just hit a chord with me, but I found that they were really lacking and could understand why they haven’t been too terribly successful. Also, I wanted to analyize Anthony Green becaues he left Saosin for his own personal reasons, and I felt that I needed to use this post as an excercise to understand his reasonings and if it was worth it.
Oh, and by the way…
Album Art by Esao Andrews.
I couldn’t find a place to put it into the post.
March 16, 2007 at 6:53 am
Jeremy
Since I am here, I guess that I will comment on this one, Whit. I think the problem with this review, though it does hit some points that I agree with, is that it is missing important specifics. To me, the point of a review is to step beyond simply telling someone the genre of music and actually playing the music for them through your words. When I am done, I want to know if this band is worth my time or not. I want a sound created in my head through references and descriptions (straightforward or poetic). If I had never heard Circa Survive, I’d have no idea what they sound like. However, I do enjoy how you dissed the vocalist. He deserves it. Good job.
March 19, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Sarah
I agree with Jeremy on this one. You are perhaps too professional? I enjoyed that aspect in the last two works, but here I feel that I am not getting the full experience. You pile on the descriptions, which I love, but they are of the style and people. Perhaps a focus on the emotions in the music would be more apt. Is this an angry band? Mellow? Should I care? That’s what I want to know.
March 19, 2007 at 2:47 pm
snookju
Well-written work. I hunted “Great Golden Baby” down on rhapsody, and I get the same impressions you did. I agree…and I guess that’s all I have to say about that.
March 20, 2007 at 12:16 am
thesimmons
First I read josh’s blog and then this …now i feel inferior. You always write so beautifully. Also you seem to really have a grasp on this band. You convey the ins and outs of thier sound and group dynamic impeccably. I hate you for this. 🙂 Have a nice day, Miss Whit
March 20, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Donna B.
Another nuanced, balanced, and authoritative essay. Watch that baseball metaphor at the end — because someone who gets a hit the first time at bat is batting 1.000, it happens quite a lot, actually!
March 21, 2007 at 1:00 am
grubbenator
Nice job. Pretty refreshing to hear about something not that good rather then how awesome something is. Don’t expect me to pick up though :). Good Job!
July 22, 2007 at 8:21 am
a-
Hit those notes without going falesetto.
You’re all effed.
August 14, 2007 at 7:06 am
Ashley.
Circa Survive are fucking awesome.
August 31, 2007 at 5:52 am
n.o.
lovely writing, but i just want to inform you of some things.
-Anthony green left saosin because he was unhappy with them and followed his heart to a better place for him personally.
-the members are wonderful warm human beings. they are talented artistic individuals who when combine have more talent and potential than any young band around today.
-their music blends together beautifully. the guitars weaving around one another in unconventional ways and the percussion which compliments both them and Anthony’s beautiful
voice. they are perfectly fit.
-the song title “the glorious nose bleed” is about Anthony’s struggle with a cocaine addiction. the lyrics “i know what it feels like, giving into something you don’t understand” could not more match the sentiment of the song.
-i study voice classically. i know Bach, Brahms, and Strauss backwards and forwards. i also love great progressive rock and roll. king crimson, tool, and yes. i love it all. even what he did with saosin. i and others attest to the fact that circa survive is the greatest young band of our time. they are brilliant and have more potential than anyone else in the industry.they are the bright future of rock music.
…have another listen. for music’s sake.
September 19, 2007 at 3:53 pm
ismail
anthony is the one everyone should be taking advise from.not from this guy. the one who knows the real deal is anthony green.so ask him yourself.and guy that wrote this article your grammer is way of so read before you post.
the mars volta is a freaken bad ass band so if circa survive sounds like another mars volta t(not thet they would) but that willbe not that bad because the mars volta kicks ass.
October 16, 2007 at 3:39 am
patrick
What are critics supposed to be doing when everyone should have a unique opinion..
I don’t always ask myself this question but when it comes to some mainstream critic who decides to deal with something that’s just over their head..ugh. Go work for rolling stone you kid rock lover. yeah i said it
February 25, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Nick
So this is the first negative critisism I have seen for Circa Survive especially about the lyrics and their relationship to the titles. Who gives a damn if YOU think that they are secret meanings in songs that YOU don’t get Circa has a unique sound which is not trying to be genius and maybe Anthony really doesn’t know how to express what he really wants to convey but the music is amazing the mixture of the insturments put together with an unexpected vocal sound brings out something more in the music and if you can’t see that being that you are a music critic than maybe you should re-think you life’s work
April 17, 2008 at 2:17 pm
jessica
okayy
i think circa survive is one of the best bands ever that is just my opinion there is just soemthing about them that makes me feel out of this world. and there lyrics do actually make sincee okay you just have to sit down and think because there is a meaning behind them you just dont know itt.
that is honestly your opinon and this is mine anthony green has a beautiful voice and seems to be one of the coolest guys ever
so if you wanna be a playa hater go ahead.
ha
but yeah anyways anyone that is looking at this i think you should give circa survive a chance or listen to some of his other music like the sounds of animals fighting it is really different and you might not like it at first butt just close your eyes and listen
July 12, 2008 at 11:10 pm
joe
This is so fuckin stupid. Circa Survive is a great band. Just because the fag that wrote this can use some big words doesn’t mean he knows anything. Don’t be fooled.
August 9, 2008 at 6:39 pm
tim
i think whoever wrote this might really be tone deaf and shouldnt be aloud to write about music.circa survive is one of the best bands in its style of music today.they are one of the few truly talented bands left.if you had done half of the research you shouldve done..you would understand the music alot more.most of the songs on juturna are based off the movie eternal sunshine of the spotless mind.if you see the movie pretty much the whole album makes sense.so dont be a dumb biotch and learn to appriciate the greatness of circa!!!
August 9, 2008 at 11:29 pm
W.E.B. Adamant
I’ve taken a long time to actually respond to the remarks made on this post, and I’m almost of the opinion that I shouldn’t. Then again, I’m tired, very tired, of seeing the kind of sentiment posted in response.
I wrote this review as part of a class. I had written this review from the point of view that I had listened to Circa Survive uncritically for a long time. This was an opportunity for me take another look. I was a bit surprised at what I had heard, but I wrote true to that. I still listen to the band, and still enjoy their music.
Calling someone names who disagrees is preschool tactics. While I respect your opinion in that you disagree with my review, realize this: you probably didn’t come here looking for a review. You wanted to read someone talk about your favorite band. That mindset is not what this site is geared for. It’s a review site, not a fan site. If you want that, go elsewhere.
So to those who think I should give Circa Survive another chance, their music is still on my iPod, on my computer, and in my car. To those who think I’m dumb because I don’t think your band is the greatest thing ever, you need to learn how to present your ideas, not attack with them.
I have the power to erase these comments, but I’m not going to. While I think they’ve been said in the wrong mindset with the wrong intent (to insult me), I think it’s better to leave them in the interest of openness and free speech.
July 6, 2009 at 3:45 am
joel
i see what you were trying to do approaching the review from a more critical stand point but i feel you overlooked some evidence that contradicts a lot of the criticism you give. like the aforementioned explanations regarding the titles and lyrics (anthony’s coke addiction, the eternal sunshine of the spotless mind), and also your description of anthony. i personally do not find his singing as his attempt at gaining the spotlight. a look at him as a person, including why he left saosin(which you seem to interpret very inaccurately), would reveal that he is very much so motivated by music and not personal gain. he focuses on the music and the rest of the band members in most of his interviews, and watching him perform truly gives the impression of a man devoted to the music and the vibe. the last part about their setting of high standards for themselves is also off the mark. if they were so concerned with their standards and image, why would they stay away from major labels? all in all i feel you miss the truly genuine, musical, and cerebral makeup of the band as a whole, especially anthony.
May 12, 2010 at 4:13 pm
joeyt
Circa Survive’s latest release Blue Sky Noise out 4.20.10 is so sick
Illumina Records all area Access
http://illuminaallareaaccess.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6
May 27, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Margarita Gibson
Very great writing. Honestly!