Customer Reviews

Circle

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some reviewers in this list are complaining of this CD being to"mellow" ("mato nanji has alot more talent than this cdwould have you to beleive" and "BRING BACK THE POWERHOUSE BLUES OF INDIGENOUS") - I feel it necessary to bring a different perspective into the mix. First, The "Road House Blues" in-your face guitar approach has not gone away - it can be seen every night they play live ( ) . Second, It is this album, Circle, that shows how truely talented Mato Nanji is. His guitar playing on this CD is highly original - not as derivative as his SRV-Hendrix musings (which are great in their own way as well). Mato is clearly the best blues-rock guitarist out there, and Circle shows a compelling aspect of that greatness, albiet less "in the face." Listen to the leads on "Seven Steps Away," "Waiting For You," and the short but sweet break on "Can't Keep Me From You" - they are amongst the very best, and are certainly his most unique work. Mato Nanji, with or without Indigenous (I really like the whole band, but sure would like to see Mato play with a top level rhythm section some day), is just beginning to establish himself - the future is very bright in guitar land - and Circle is an awesome, intelligent, highly creative, and higly original sounding record. Buy it. (Buy the other Indigenous CDs too). Circle is my choice for best record of the year. END

"Circle" is definitely different from Indigenous' first two releases ("Things We Do" and "Live at Pacyderm"). "Circle" is much more sedate, with overtones of Hootie & the Blowfish. I was really expecting more blues on this CD, but it sounds more like Top-40. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not saying this album is awful. I'm just saying it's different. If you're in the mood for raw, powerful blues guitar at its finest, grab "Live at Pacyderm" or "Things We Do" (IMO, it's their best CD). If you're in the mood for soulful guitar and lazy rhythms, grab "Circle". Mato Nanji is truly a fantastic and mesmerizing guitarist and his work on "Circle" shows that he has more range than just an out-of-control guitar slinger.

Overall, this is a GREAT CD. The band's sound has matured a bit and congealed since "Things We Do", and as other reviewers have stated, they are claiming their own voice and style as a band. This CD is still mixed with Stevie Ray Vaughan influence (Track #1), but they offer a little funk (Track #7) and some Santana-like sounds (Track #4) on this versatile CD. You can surely hear the influence of Doyle Bramhall as a producer.

I opt for a 4-star rating rather than a 5 to compare this CD to their previous two. "Things We Do" rocked and had musical consistency, and "Live at Pachyderm Studios 1988" truly demonstrated Majo Nanji's amazing guitar ability. "Circle" departs from both in downplaying Mato's abilities. The blues-inspired lyrics were solid, but the music strayed a bit toward mainstream pop. In that way, I was disappointed. As much as I hate to say it, a couple of the songs reminded me of Hootie and the Blowfish. This is definitely a direction that I hope they will not go.

Nonetheless, if you like Indigenous as much I do, then be sure to add this to your collection. It is surely worth the purchase. See them live if you can. They are an amazing band!

This Native American quartet from North Dakota has put out a solid second CD. You hear influences of Stevie Ray Vaughn and in my opinion, a little Allman Bros (listen to Rest of My Days, track #9) in this band. Mato Nanji is one excellent guitarist and he and the other band members exhibit a maturity well beyond their years.

In an era when most new bands sound the same to me, this one immediately caught my ear the first time I heard "Rest of My Days" on the radio. A couple of other reviewers have said they felt the CD was too mellow. I enjoyed the variety of the CD. Powerhouse blues is great, but it's nice when you can pull off the "slower tunes" as well.

Highly creative, intelligent music; I'm looking forward to hearing more from this band in the future. I'm sorry I missed the chance to see them do a free concert in San Francisco last fall.

I first heard about Indigenous from some of my tribal friends last year, and when I finally heard them play live at a small club on the east coast, I couldn't believe my ears. Why doesn't radio America know about this band? Mato Nanji is easily the most talented blues/rock guitarist of his generation, sounding like a soulful cross between Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix, but with his own style. This CD is a bit more mainstream than their others, but anyone who has heard Indigenous live knows that Mato Nanji smokes onstage. Smokes his guitar strings, pulls emotions out of his guitar that you have not heard before, though you have felt them if you are a passionate person. As a caution, Indigenous is not the kind of band you listen to when you are having a Hallmark moment. They are deep and soulful and loud and bluesy, and they are among the best of this genre. Can't wait to see them again. (If you're listening, Indigenous, please come back to New England!) Anyway, buy this CD (or the Pachyderm live CD if you want a treat) and support a band that will leave its mark among those of the best blues rock bands ever.

I bought the first CD after having seen Indigenous open for BB King, and I must admit I was disapointed. It was lacking something that they had live...Most of the songs sounded the same. I bought Circle used while on a vacation, and listened to it all the way home. This CD was ten times better than the first! You can tell that they are much more matured in music then they were on the first CD. Very good CD!

No, this album might not be as 'hard hitting' as the original, but who said that that is what blues albums are suppose to be? Also, I don't beleive anything about the band trying to make this album more radio friendly, actually I'm not sure I've even heard anything from this album on the radio. This album plays like a story being told, and we are rapt listeners. That is what the blues are all about, and this is one incredible blues album. The band has matured lyrically and musically since their debue, and I for one hope that the continue on in their own direction.

Left Me This Morning, Seven Steps, Waiting For You: all are great expansions for this band. Keep the great music they have already made before and then add this material -- I think you've got a better live show, with broader appeal, better breadth, and more money goin to this family. They deserve it. Excellent work Indigenous and Doyle -- It's great blues and very well produced; moreover, it's great music. My best CD experience in a couple of years.

They timed the release of this CD perfectly-just in time for my birthday. And, I can't think of a better birthday present! I was fortunate enough to get to see these guys live and there's just nothing like it - they are incredibly talented musicians. "CIRCLE" is wonderful from start to finish. Just set the CD player on "repeat all" and enjoy!

This CD is in my opinion some of their best work to date. Very different from their previous CD but still very good. Again the CD is great, but it doesn't do their live performance justice. I just saw them perform at their CD release party in Austin, Tx and they just blew me away. They just keep getting better and better. Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton, Doyle Bramhall Sr, Chris Duarte and Mike Keller joined the band at the end for a devastating version of Red House and a song that is not known to me. Get the CD and enjoy.