Circa Survive

On Letting Go finds Equal Vision stronghold Circa Survive revisiting the aural arena of their debut Juturna, offering much of the same delayed, off-time guitar leads within unconventional and atmospheric composition to accompany the soaring, upper register of the oft-debated Anthony Green. This record’s similarity to the last puts the band in a rather vulnerable position, allowing themselves to be criticized for a lack of diversity or risk-taking; however, what Circa Survive have done here may not be so much of a progression from their past material as much as a filtered refinement. Essentially, while the album may not stretch far beyond the elements found on Juturna, these elements are deployed more tastefully, both spared and saturated when appropriate, ultimately making this disc better than the last.

For example, while “In the Morning and Amazing” could be ignorantly written off as a hybrid of a couple of tracks from the band’s debut, a more refined ear would find that the composition successfully develops a spacey, atmospheric instrumental shell, underneath which the band’s undisputed X-factor, Green, is able to reach his full potential. The track, because of this, is elevated to heights that were within the grasp of Juturna, yet never comfortably reached. “The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is In the Dose” is another example of the band taking a skeletal song structure, akin to any from their debut, and creating a far more refined, and more focused, structure atop its basic frame.

“Kicking Your Crosses Down” is likely the band’s biggest departure from convention, and the track works well because of it. The song is certainly fresh, but also lucid enough to work within the album. The opener “Living Together” – with arguably the most beautifully arranged chorus on the record, and it’s beautifully developed conclusion – is certainly the album’s highlight, and could be one of the best songs of 2007 as far as I’m concerned.

Essentially, this disc eclipses Juturna by way of quality composition, and only serves to reassure listeners that Circa Survive deserve the hype they’ve garnered as new poster boys for ambient post-rock. The band may not be bound for mainstream rock radio, but they are ready to completely captivate the attention of anyone willing to stray away from it.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Living Together
02. In the Morning and Amazing
03. The Greatest Lie
04. The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is In the Dose
05. Mandala
06. Travel Hymn
07. Semi Constructive Criticism
08. Kicking Your Crosses Down
09. On Letting Go
10. Carry Us Away
11. Close Your Eyes to See
12. Your Friends Are Gone

Run Time: 45:29