Highlights | Tempus Horribilis, All, You, Blindside, Transmission Error
For fans of | Landmarq, Darwin, Yes, King Crimson, Big Big Train, ELP, Steve Hackett, 3.2
Appreciation
Two studio albums were followed by two live albums. So it was time for Circuline to come back and present new songs. This is where CORE (Circuline Original Reimagined Evolving) comes in . The North American band is making some changes to its line-up for this new album that has been in the works since 2018. And, without a doubt, this record is well defined by its title and subtitle. This is the interior, the core of Circuline , clearly, its musical core – a prog rock that does not aim for virtuosic displays of galactic abilities in half-hour songs. On the contrary, it promotes a prog rock that is based on the melody and emotion of songs with a strong musical, theatrical and cinematic component. The successive dialogues between the vocalists and between all the instrumentation and harmonies that are created, carry this desire towards a greater goal than simply being technically magnificent (which it is also, let’s say!) – the goal of creating songs that touch and that involve. But always with meticulous attention to detail and, mainly, to the experimental component. And, in this aspect, C.O.R.E., shows us an evolved, mature Circuline , capable of entering both fields (song/emotion and sound exploration). In fact, as the subtitle makes clear: this is an album with originality, with imagination and that marks the evolution of the band and of a style. [88%]
Thank you so much, PROG Magazine, Jerry Ewing, and Phil Weller, for this fantastic review of C.O.R.E. !!
Here is the entire review, reprinted in full below:
“Revamped proggers return with their most accomplished LP yet.“ “The third album from New Yorkers Circuline is buoyed by the addition of a pair of Brits in the shape of Lifesigns guitarist Dave Bainbridge and Kyros’s Shelby Logan Warne on bass. The songwriting is still handled by the core trio, keyboardist Andrew Colyer, drummer Darin Brannon and vocalist Natalie Brown, but the newcomers aren’t just making up the numbers.
The transition from sky-skimming guitar solo to choral hook in “You” makes it feel like an instant prog classic. “All”, driven by Logan Warne’s intricate bass line, sheds it skin to reveal new layers coloured by sparkling vocal melodies, fusion flavours and classical sprinklings. On “Transmission Error”, aggressive instrumentation locks horns over odd time signatures, while the acoustic “Temporal Thing” blossoms into a Mellotron-glazed finale at home in Mikael Akerfeldt’s record collection.
Naturally, the album offers many spotlights for its individual talent to dazzle. “Blindside” finds Bainbridge peeling off a boldly bluesy solo and “Say Their Name” a chance for Brannon to doff his cap to “Discipline”-era King Crimson as Circuline play every ace up their sleeve.”
PROG, Jerry, and Phil – from the bottom of our heart, we can’t thank you enough for these kind words.
“Hinging on an uneasy, schizophrenic riff that draws straight from the King Crimson songwriting guide, this live take on Stereotypes is gorgeously and courageously delivered by New York-based group Circuline.” — PROG Magazine Issue 85
Thank you to Jerry Ewing and all the staff at PROG Magazine (UK) for featuring the CircuLive::Majestik track “Stereotypes” on their “Issue 85 Cap In Hand” Covermount CD Sampler, included with their March 2018 Issue!
Circuline has just been confirmed to perform at the 2016 Progtoberfest in Chicago! We’ll be performing with Brand X, Carl Palmer, Security Project, The Fringe, and 23 other bands, including tributes to Keith Emerson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and King Crimson! We hope to see you there!
