Customer Reviews

Blue Sky Noise

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like the best art, it does take some effort and attention on your part to get into it. Once you do, you will be hooked. The first listen overwhelmed me - it was too much, too intense, too much going on, and it was hard to reign it in and get into it. Each listen gave me more. I found myself singing parts of songs in my head for hours. Piece by piece it will burrow into your brain until you have to have more. And then at some point, everything becomes clear, and it is the only thing you want to listen to. You'll find something new with every listen. I love their previous albums, but none of them gripped me like this one. Phenomenal.

I've been a big fan of Circa Survive for a long time now, so of course I'm going to love this album! But to be honest, not only am I a big fan...this cd is simply one of the most amazing pieces of music I have heard in the last year or so. Not only is Anthony's voice exceptional, but the lyrics flow with the music like a sweet breeze over a grassy field. The guitars and bass have never been so entwined and worked to each others benefit to such an extent. The melodies don't just work well together, it's as though they were meant to be put together. Songs like Frozen Creek are just, simply put, incredible. Another addition to this album over their others is the blending between tracks. Each one leads into the next, a la Mars Volta, and it really works to bring life to the album. It's not just a bunch of songs put together, it's an entire story, something to be experienced from beginning to end.

I've waited a long time for this and it has already made it up to one of my top albums in the last year at least, if not longer.

In a world where most bands sound exactly the same, Circa Survive stands out for their originality, musical passion, and dedication. Not to mention that they probably have one of the greatest frontmen in the music scene today second to none. I like each of Circa Survive's cds because they offer something different from the band. Juturna is a great blend of ambient and meaningful songs, On Letting Go is extremely hard to forget and now with Blue Sky Noise they offer a cd that hits a bit harder than the rest. The lyrics are catchy and well-written as is the music. It is not as "mellow" as the last two cds but I think it fits the band well and I have a feeling that their live show will be made even better by these new songs. If you are new to Circa Survive, check out this cd in addition to the other two. If you are already a Circa Survive fan, you probably don't need to be told because you already picked it up.

In my opinion this album is amazing. Every track holds a little bit of old circa survive mixed with a little new. Every song is strong and could stand alone as a single. Most notable to me are frozen creek, fever dreams, imaginary enemy, and spirit of the stairwell along with i felt free. But all the songs are great and most definitely worth listening. new or old fans will be delighted with the music.

I've been a Circa fan for about 4 years now (shortly after Juturna) and have been eagerly awaiting this album for a couple years. I have read some reviews of the album before I bought it, and most were glowing. I, too, like the album a lot but feel it's a departure from On Letting Go. I liked the lyrics a lot more on OLG, as I felt they dealt with Anthony's personal realization and departure from his faith. The lyrics on most of these songs, to me, are not as poignant. I do like a number of the songs on the album, but feel as if, at least lyrically, they are not as deep as past songs. But yes they are indeed great songs. Personal favorites include Frozen Creek, I Felt Free, Get Out. If you are a Circa fan, definitely pick this album up as I find it to be unique, but more like Juturna than On Letting Go.

My husband commented that he thinks this latest album sounds more "radio friendly" than the previous two. I am not a music professional, so I don't know how accurate that statement is, but I can say that I can hear the sound of the band evolving a little (as all bands do who stay relevant). The whole album is still distinctively Circa, with (to me) "Get Out" sounding most like the Circa Survive of previous albums.

If you are not familiar with this band, I highly recommend checking out all three albums: Juturna, On Letting Go and now Blue Sky Noise. They are very, very talented musicians, and they put on a great show if you have an opportunity to see them live.

I pre-ordered Blue Sky Noise having loved the last two Circa releases, and first of all the band and label did a great job with the release - fans who pre-ordered got a week-early full album download (which didn't leak before that), the album in the mail on the release date, emails with exclusive tracks, and offers from the band for first dibs on concert tickets... all for 10 bucks. But who cares about HOW I got the album, how good is it?

It's ridiculously good. Don't listen to the haters on here ("This sucks: it doesn't sound exactly like Juterna, maaaaannnnn!!!"), if you have listened to Circa in the past and liked what you've heard, you're going to love this album. If you haven't listened to Circa before but like the idea of bands that obviously spend a lot of time with headphones on getting the exact sound they want out of each instrument, you're going to like this album. If you think rock music is a bit mundane these days, you're going to love this album. If you're looking for something different that doesn't get radio play because the public can't handle it, you're going to love this album. If you like the idea of musical complexity and track layering with a modern rock vibe, you're going to love this album. I'm not saying it won't take a few listens, and don't try to compare it to Juterna, because it's not the same. In my opinion, it's way better.

I think that Circa Survive is probably the best rock band out there right now, continuing to make compelling music in a way that no one else can. Blue Sky Noise is perfect for anyone who truly has an open mind about their music. Give this album a shot, you won't be sorry.

Here we are, three albums deep in the Circa Survive catalog. After such classics as Juturna and On Letting Go, we are left with Blue Sky Noise. How do you compare three completely different bodies of work? Where "Juturna" was very spastic and felt like it was out of control, "On Letting Go" reigned in the chaos to deliver better choruses and more control in the song structure. Take both of these albums, mix them together, and pour out for a basic idea of the feeling of "Blue Sky Noise."

In order to avoid reviewing each and every song, I've chosen a few songs from the album to highlight my point.

First up is "Get Out," what I consider to be their first monster single, finds Circa playing it safe and sticking to what they know best. Creatively, this song is not a far reach from what they've known and we've loved, but sometimes you have to appease the masses before you can conquer new territory.

In "I Felt Free," Anthony switches from his high-pitched falsetto to a rather common sounding singing voice, not dissimilar to that of Linkin Park's Chester. My wife liked the song, but as an avid fan, I was not terribly impressed. I love that Circa is nothing like Linkin Park, and I can only hope that this song is not a portent of the future.

"Imaginary Enemy" finds the band reaching as if they have something to prove. Where before Circa was famous for their spacy, trippy music, and Anthony Green's other-worldly lyrics, this song showcases their fast-paced and frenetic side we haven't witnessed since "Juturna." Think "Act Appalled" on a major dose of steroids.

The shining moment, in my opinion, on the album is the masterpiece "Fever Dreams." Anthony has gone from writing phenomenal lyrics on "Juturna" to drastically stepping it up on "Letting Go," to putting his application in on the title as one of the greatest song writers of our generation. The song flows back and forth taking you on an emotional ride, letting the listener feel exactly what he was feeling while writing.

"Spirit of the Stairwell" shifts gears from classic Circa to a Pink Floyd-esque style reminiscent of Dark Side Of The Moon. All that's missing is the soul-singing and church bells floating in the background.

And finally, the last track on the album, "Dyed in the Wool," carries sweeping vocal harmonies, epic melodies and solid drums and base supporting the backbone. Also in this song, as in other songs in the album, there is a recurring theme of haunting gang vocals/chants that are at once eerie and unsettling, but still leaving you with a sense of calm. It's a juxtaposition you wouldn't think would work, but is pulled off with style and grace.

I know that my opinion of this album should not sway someone from wanting to buy this album. If you have listened to Circa as long as I have, you know full well that the only way to make an assessment of how they've progressed on any album is to listen for yourself. I encourage any fan that is worried that the band has lost touch by signing to a major label to ignore the nay-sayers and draw your own conclusions. For any newbie to Circa, like my wife, also give the album a fair try - you might be surprised to find yourself reaching for this disc next time you need some good music for your ride to work.

Here's to album number 4.

For their third album, Circa Survive continues to release music that is different from the rest yet entirely listenable. Vocalist Anthony Green has one of the most haunting ranges when it comes to belting out lyrics. As a fan, I feel the deluxe is a better buy because of the acoustic tracks alone. Some might think they are simple re-hashes of three tracks found on the original disc but the band tackles each number in a different and equally interesting way. The fourth acoustic track 'Every Way'serves as a nice bookend to the collection because it is simple and heartfelt. I'd recommend this cd to people who enjoy singers who drive their sound from deep within, music listeners who appreciate intricately layered music (ie. the bass part is pretty involved), alternative music fans looking for a new band, and of course any fans of Circa Survive or Anthony Green.

I love Circa Survive, but this is the worst of all their albums. The lyrics and sound of all the songs didn't have the same Circa flair that I was expecting. It's not BAD tho, just a little disappointing.