Thank you so much, Profil Prog (Quebec) and Philippe Andre (France), for this fantastic review of C.O.R.E. !!
Here is the entire review, translated and reprinted in full below:
“Why is the album called “C.O.R.E.”? The 2014 trio has been enriched for the new album by Dave BAINBRIDGE (IONA, LIFESIGNS & many more) & Shelby Logan WARNE (KYROS), no less, progressive heavyweights in different registers.
I might as well tell you right away, I enjoyed the opening track “Tempus Horribilis” (9/10) the split vocals, the choirs, it’s damn well done in the genre, guitars and keyboards as accompaniment rather than soloists. My favorite track in fourth position “All” (10/10) with a monstrous introduction by Shelby Logan WARNE on bass guitar, modern progressive where all the instruments lead a wild saraband, a big bravo for this one.
The very good “You” and its superb instrumental start, a bit rootsy, Natalie BROWN’s singing chanted more than really sung, energizing and catchy at the same time (8/10) and Dave BAINBRIDGE at the top of his guitar art. The penultimate track “Blindside”, the only one sung by Andrew COLYER, very good by the way is a mid tempo quite west coast that could come out of an album by the EAGLES, POCO or the DOOBIE BROTHERS (9/10), Dave’s guitar really lighting it up from 3:22.
“Third Rail” the shortest track, sounds like a supercharged RENAISSANCE (7/10) good piece, but below on the whole album, even if Alek DARSON (guest) sets it on fire at 2:52. “Say Their Name” begins with delicacy, piano, acoustic guitar and Natalie BROWN’s calm voice before taking off for more energetic from the middle of the song propelled by Darin BRANNON’s drums under the fire of Dave BAINBRIDGE’s six strings (8/10). I found the fifth title “Temporal Thing” a bit messy, listenable without more (7/10), more rock than really progressive, even if the final part is more melodic.
The last word for the last title “Transmission Error” which peaks at nine minutes twenty-two, mid tempo again but totally progressive in its unfolding with a distinguished guest on violins (acoustic and electric) Joe DENINZON who joined a few months ago the legendary American combo of TOPEKA, I named obviously KANSAS, a (9/10) well deserved, a very little sung piece, barely two minutes in its entirety, which requires many listens to be fully tamed, the passage at 7:33 takes us directly to “Song for America”, no less.
Take your time with CIRCULINE, a record that requires patience to be fully appreciated.”
Profil Prog and Philippe – Thank you so much for these kind words.
Earlier this year, Patrick Alexander played some Circuline music on his “Pat’s Picks Progressive Rock Hour” radio show, which also featured King Crimson and Tony Banks. Last night, Patrick played some more Circuline music on his show, which also featured Yes and Mike Oldfield. Thank you so much, Patrick Alexander, for playing Circuline’s “You” on your show last night!
We’ve got some wonderful new music on the show tonight, as well as some old favorites. JADIS – “Said And Done” from More Questions Than Answers (2024 Jadismusic) SHOOGLENIFTY – “Heading West” from The Arms Dealer’s Daughter (2003 Shoogle Records) CIRCULINE – “You” from C.O.R.E. (2024 Self Released) HEAD SPIN – “Pillows” from Refractor (2024 Self Released) YES – “New Language” from The Ladder (1999 Eagle Records) MIKE OLDFIELD – “Ommadawn, Pt 1”, “Mount Teidi” and “Five Miles Out” from Crises (deluxe edition) (2023 Universal)
10 years ago, Marty Dorfman and Rob Rutz were the first people to ever play Circuline music on FM or internet radio, on Marty’s show, “The Waiting Room with The Prog Doctor”. We are eternally grateful for Marty, Rob, and station owners Rick and Pat Henry, for helping to launch us to the world. We appreciate the airplay you’ve given us since the beginning, and also for our new album, “C.O.R.E.”.
The Waiting Room with the Prog Doctor airs every Friday Night from 8:00 PM until 11:00 PM EST on The House of Prog at www.houseofprog.org . This show consists of almost entirely NEW music and interviews with artists and some special features and promotions.
“C.O.R.E. demands your attention…..The advanced track that caught our attention – and the album standout – is ‘All’ and is a very good example of the band’s musicality. A sense of real propulsion, great keyboard (Andrew Colyer) and guitar interplay and evoking prime-time proggers such as bands like Yes and, more recently, Spock’s Beard……Even morphing into semi-Camel territory…..‘Third Rail’ immediately brings to mind Renaissance, circa ‘Ashes Are Burning’-era, whilst ‘Say Their Name’ continues that …..‘Temporal Thing’ also has a jazz rock thing going on……‘Blindside’ is a little more conventional, fronted by Colyer’s vocal and a pleasing and plaintive Bainbridge solo ushering in some Clare Torry-style hollering (from Natalie, not Andrew!)……It’s certainly an interesting pot-pourri of prog …..this should be filed next to another great slice of recent modern prog.”
