Thank you so much, Jon Neudorf and Steven Reid of Sea of Tranquility, for both reviewing CircuLive::NewView !!
Here is Jon Neudorf’s review:
“Hailing from New York, Circuline has been around since 2014 and released their debut album Return in 2015, followed by Counterpoint in 2016 of which I was mightily impressed as it made my top twenty-five of that year.
Their live disc titled Circulive �” New View captures their 2017 performance at ProgStock, recorded at the Union County Performing Art Center in New Jersey. The four panel digipack includes a CD, DVD, and Blu-ray.
This is an excellent performance from the band and includes tracks from their first two albums. The concert opens with the instrumental “Erosion”, a moody and fairly complex piece featuring catchy riff progressions and outstanding keyboards. “One Wish” is a gentler piece at the beginning featuring clean guitar and keyboards and the fine vocals of Natalie Brown. It’s quite a catchy number and reveals the band in fine form especially when they take an unexpected turn into tight progressive metal. All members bring on the heat with scintillating musicianship. The band has some fun with “Piano Challenge”, featuring a head to head dual between the drummer and keyboardist. Both are excellent players and when drums and guitar join in on the fun the band really starts to cook. The somewhat moody “Hollow” finds these musicians exploring darker territory, featuring more fine guitar from Alek Darson.
I really cannot say enough of the talent displayed in this excellent set. Quirky arrangements, scintillating pyrotechnics, and a flair for the dramatic take these tunes off the beaten path as Circuline definitely have their own style and sound. I highly recommend you give this relatively underrated band a spin and discover Circuline for yourself.
The Players: Andrew Colyer (keyboards, vocals, percussion) Darin Brannon (drums, keyboards) Natalie Brown (lead vocals, percussion) Willian “Billy” Spillane (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion) Joel Simches (bass, bass pedals, drums, acoustic guitar) Alek Darson (lead and rhythm guitars)
My Score: FOUR STARS”
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THERE ARE ACTUALLY TWO REVIEWS ON THIS PAGE!! ONE DUDE 3 STARS, ONE DUDE 4 STARS – TYPES GOOD STUFF FROM THE REVIEW HERE…..
Thank you so much, Progressor (Uzbekistan) and Kev Rowland, for giving CircuLive::NewView a 5-Star-Review!!
Here is the entire review, reprinted in full:
Released last year, this triple CD/DVD/Blu-ray captures Circuline at 2017’s ProgStock Festival.
I was sent this as an audio download to review, but I also ended up with a physical copy and I am so glad I did, as seeing the full package is quite something. As well as the digipak containing the discs and some basic information, my copy came with a full colour glossy 28 page A4 programme which contains loads of photos, information about the history of the band, details of everyone who ever played with them, why certain changes were made in line-up, and so much more.
Although I have been playing the audio a great deal recently in time for the review, I actually first played the Blu-ray with the audio commentary turned on, and it is exactly what it purports to be, various band members talking about the show, why certain pieces were played, the history and so much more. I have always enjoyed these as they never cease to add so much more to the band, providing a far more rounded view to outsiders like me, and that is again the case here.
It was recorded at ProgStock, so it is a given that the camerawork and audio quality are first rate, and by 2017 they had released two albums (I have not heard the second, need to rectify that) and had been touring them hard both in America and the UK. Additionally, much of the band had originally worked together as a covers group playing prog classics (keep an ear out for bits and pieces which make their way into this set unannounced), so they all know what they are doing and were confident in their own abilities and knowing the audience would be very much on their side.
The album is as one would expect from a prog band: they are able to replicate onstage the huge complexity of their music while also taking it to another level. It is multi-layered, multi-faceted, yet always immediate, allowing the listener to get deep inside the music the very first time of playing it. The PR company describes the band as “two theatrical lead vocalists, a keyboard player from Juilliard, a versatile rock virtuoso on guitar, a zany bass player from another galaxy, and a drummer with progressive rock in his DNA.” That does not really give them the kudos they deserve, for a wonderfully entertaining and enjoyable set.
There are very few international acts (even in normal times), and even less prog acts (stand up Yes and Steve Hackett) who make it down all the way to Aotearoa, so I know the likelihood of ever seeing Circuline in concert is very small indeed. However, this wonderful set allows me to play the concert on a big screen and revel in a very professional and exciting crossover commercial progressive rock band who are a sheer delight from the beginning to the end.
Thank you so much, Jordan Blum and Rock & Roll Globe for the review of CircuLive::NewView, giving the CD/DVD/Blu-ray product 4.5/5 stars!
“Spectacular ability to merge elements of classic 1970s icons like Genesis, ELP, Yes, and Camel into their modernized edge and efficacy…..a must-own set for fans…..a communal, two-way street sort of vibe between the musicians and audience from start to finish…..performed impeccably…..exemplifying Circuline’s knack for strong songwriting, dense harmonies, and tastefully elaborate arrangements…..how much the band has accomplished in only a few years…..more than worth the price of admission…..a superb document of Circuline’s appearance at ProgStock.”
Thank you so much to Geoff Feakes for the glowing review of CircuLive::NewView – a score of 8.5 out of 10!
“The vocal arrangements give Circuline’s sound an extra dimension…..an appealing combination of vocal melodies, that have a contemporary, mainstream rock vibe, and retro-prog instrumental sections…..Natalie and Billy dueting superbly…..blistering guitar accompaniment…..a masterclass in guitar and keyboard dynamics…..Natalie proves you can dance to prog.
Piano Challenge reveals itself to be a face-off between Colyer and Brannon as they playfully attempt to outperform each other with their joint piano skills…..For me, it’s the highlight of the show and it also goes down well with the appreciative ProgStock audience.
The Drum Feature at the end of Forbidden Planet is a visual treat with a skin-thumping display from the entire band (with the exception of Natalie who sticks to tambourine). It’s a throwback to the stage theatrics of Gentle Giant and Yes‘ live performance of Ritual.
Like CircuLive::Majestik, this is a fine, and thoroughly recommended testimony to Circuline’s stagecraft and their superb material. Newcomers Darson and Simches are real assets, raising the already impressive musicianship to a new level. The performances are tighter, as are the vocal arrangements. Despite the absence of new songs, the arrangements sound fresh and the Piano Challenge and Drum Feature are entertaining additions to the set. Although the musical comparators mentioned above are all British and very 1970s, Circuline compare favourably with contemporary, home-grown acts like Glass Hammer, Spock’s Beard and Kansas.”
