Circa Survive – Caught in the Crossfire

CIRCA SURVIVE
Violent Waves

Some may find Circa Survive‘s latest offering an egocentric and self important waste of time, while those who appreciate its detail will see it more as a journey through fantasy realms of progressive music. It completely depends on how you like to enjoy your music. Let us discuss…

If you are after an absolute face-melter of a record, walk away now – this isn’t for you. But if you enjoy music as an overwhelming experience, put on your highest quality headphones and indulge in the artistic movement that is ‘Violent Waves‘.

During the whole of ‘Violent Waves‘ there is no one track that stands out, nothing that makes you sit up and concentrate. Though not outstanding, “Phantasmagoria” is perhaps the catchiest tune off of the album whilst “The Lottery” (feat. Geoff Rickly of Thursday) shows a mature post-hardcore approach. Despite being pleasant, both tracks could go unnoticed if you weren’t fully paying attention. Normally this would be a very harsh criticism, but what Circa Survive have produced here is a complex structure that intertwines as one complete piece rather than separate tracks, it appears it is meant to appreciated as a whole rather than sectioned; each song compliments the next, making the album more successful when played through in its entirety. On all tracks Anthony Green’s vocals seductively dance over a playful odyssey of Minus The Bear-esque riffs.

To summarize the point being made here, the album flows smoothly with surging peaks and troughs of emotion. ‘Violent Waves‘ is seduction for the senses. For listeners who have the patience to dive into its abyss, ‘Violent Waves‘ comes across as a masterpiece.

WORDS: EMMA WALLACE

American band Circa Survive have announced the release of their fourth full-length album, ‘VIOLENT WAVES‘, due out on August 28th. The five-piece band recorded and self-produced the eleven-track album earlier this year at Studio 4 in their hometown of Philadelphia and will be self-releasing the album using direct-to-fan distribution, a step away from thier previous endevaours with Equal Vision and Atalntic Records.

In conjunction with Topspin Media, The Uprising Creative and Firebrand, the band has built a web delivery system that will allow them to deliver their new album directly to fans without any record label or distributor involvement. The band – who’s style is rooted in progressive-rock and punk- have a close relationship with their fans and believe this method as the best way of connecting with them and establishing the future of Circa Survive in the current economic climate.

Guitarist Colin Frangicetto comments:

“Collectively we’ve run the gamut from working with really small DIY labels to big indies all the way to a major label. The band has learned a ton from each of those experiences and at this point feel confident in our ability to successfully produce, release and promote a record on our own. There’s really nothing more satisfying to us then bringing our vision to the world in this way.”

Vocalist Anthony Green added:

“By choosing to download our music directly from us, you are choosing to give our band a future and directly supporting us and our families.”

A variety of bundle options are available including deluxe vinyl packaging hand-painted by the band members, or for just $5 fans can purchase the digital version of Violent Waves.

Orders can be made directly through the band here.

Expect an album review and UK/Euro show announcements to follow here at Crossfire.

Words: Emma Wallace