Customer Reviews

Gringo [Vinyl]

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

 

 

Out of the world of Robert Pollard and his friends comes this latest album full of miraculous songs and ingeniously bewitching soundwork. Meanwhile having grown into a sort of well established Progressive Rock branch in Bob's and the Tobias Brothers' musical careers, the Circus Devils now introduce their seventh album since 2001. In comparison to it's predecessors, Gringo comes up with more folk inspired musical textures and balladesque songs. This works perfectly well in a liaison with a familiar dose of experimental sounds and attractively bizarre rock elements that have defined the Circus Devils' reputation. On the band's webpage there's also a hint towards those morricone-esque moods which indeed unfold in many of the tracks. However, what makes Gringo most enjoyable is the epic unity of all it's different songs. The more you listen to this album the more it's quality as an all-embracing masterpiece will be revealed. In case you'd like to choose some of the tracks as a kick-off to the album, just get into the infectious groove of "Easy Baby", the tonal weirdness of "Bad Baby Blue" or the heart moving melodies of "Hot Water Wine" and "Before it walks". These songs just stick in your brain and keep your mind hi-jacked for much longer than you will be able to control. Gringo means pure listening pleasure to me and 5 stars are easily given as a minimum.

The other reviewers say it all. This song cycle is a terrific production, performance, and collaboration.

I like the Circus Devils method of having each album theme-based.

The Holy Trinity of Circus Devils LPs:

PINBALL MARS, THE HAROLD PIG MEMORIAL and now... GRINGO!

The latest Circus Devils release is by far the most accessible to date. Continuing a recent high point in Bobs' songwriting, Gringo has a number of catchy tunes. Man, this one has a series of classic, skewered pop songs and some that are real beauties. As usual, the disc is front loaded and doesn't let up until the final couple of songs and even those have virtues. Ants provides a little Circus Devils weirdness and Gasoline Drinkers a typical prog stomper. The surprises here are plentiful, Every Moment Flame On, Easy Baby and the twisted Bad Baby Blue are insanely catchy. Before It Walks and The Beast Falls Down have gorgeus melodies. There is a bit of southwest flavoring and other sounds; Love the sound of the whip in Letter To A Witch. A really enjoyable release along with the other great Pollard recordings of late. This one is a winner!

recently obsessed with gbv and robert pollard....this is one of the better 'solo' efforts. prison to prison, and flame on are A+ pollard tunes