Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow, 24 May 2008
This CD is seriouly astounding. Circa Survive's debut Juturna was a great album, but it was still a little rough around the edges. Often sounding like too much of a showcase for Green's hypnotic vocals, it was clear that the band where still trying to find their groove. Well, they found it with On Letting Go, one of the best rock albums of the decade.
As soon as Living Together opened up the album i knew this was going to be special, and it didn't let up till the closing Your Friends Are Gone. This is rock at it's best; sometimes intense, sometimes chilled out, some times relaxing, sometimes groovy, sometimes ethereal, yet always brilliantly creative. Lisatening to the album is like going on an journey through through another dimention. Think the creativity of 60's and 70s prog, the melody of the better 90's grunge bands, the ambience of post-rock wonders like Mogwai all wrapped up in one ad your getting the idea. Anotny Green's vocals are once again top notch, with not only a wonderfully high range but also charisma and emotion by the bucket load. I love the way he can switch from soul soothingly soft to belting out his lines. An his lyrics are wonderful, intelligent and thought provoking. The drumming has improved much over the years, very tight and incrediably varied, while the base provides a stong backbone and groove to the spaced out guitar riffs over head. And thats where this album really takes off - the guitar playing is absolutley out of this world. Magestic riffs and washes of warm distortion swirl underneath soaring leads and runs which reminds me of the best parts of The Pixies, the Smashing Pumpkins, Mars Volta (well, a more chilled out version), Pelican and Mogwai with the prog sensibilities of Pink Floyd and the melodies worthy of Paul Simon. The guitar lines are so damn original and always interesting, often avoiding the simple styles of one guitar playing chords and one playing leads, they both wind around each other in cryptic passages and winding leads. Just listen to 'the differnce...' and you'll know what i mean.
On Letting Go is, without doubt, one of the best rock albums in recent years, combining a sense of creativity, variety and originality that is sadly lacking in todays music scene. There's really something for everyone to love here regardless of which particular genre or sub-genre they are into. This is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
shockingly great music, 28 Feb 2008
I was pretty bored so on hearing just one track of this album on the net I decided to buy the CD. It's fantastic! I have no idea who these guys are but it doesn't matter, the musical talent and energy speaks for itself. The music is basically 'alternative rock' - in this case that means, ethereal guitar tones accompanied by high-end singing and meaty drumming. An odd combination, yes, but theres no describing how brilliantly and the band work together toward their musical aims. There are plenty of stand-out tracks to choose from as well, including 'The Greatest Lie', 'The Difference...' 'Carry Us Away', in fact they all have their charms. And a truly stunning concluding piece left me with my whole mind buzzing with their unique sound. A few marks deducted for a lack of distinctive 'types' of songs and perhaps slightly nauseating singing. Nevertheless remains a great album; great energy, great atmosphere, great songwriting. 4.5/5
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~ Circa Survive
~ The Sound of Animals Fighting
~ Chiodos
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