This past week, Circa Survive released their 6th studio album “The Amulet." The band's announcement of a new album just a few months ago came as a bit of a shock to many. They have been on the road nonstop since the release of their previous album “Descensus." This makes me wonder when these guys had time to not only write and record a new album, but also get signed to Hopeless Records, which in my opinion is an even bigger shock.
Circa has been signed to major record labels before, but their last few albums have either been self-released or on an underground independent label. The fact that “The Amulet” had backing from a bigger label is apparent in the sound. Both “Violent Waves” and “Descensus” had this experimental vibe to the overall album sounds, but “The Amulet” is very tight and well produced. It seems that these guys have had their fun with pushing the boundaries and now want to get back to the sound that made their fans fall in love with them.
With the announcement of this album, Circa also released their first single and video for “Lusteration." When first listening to the song it sounds like it could be a B-Side for “Violent Waves." Anthony Green’s voice drifts over a mixed tempo drum beat and airy guitar riffs. The very end of the song is so reminiscent of “Violent Waves” that I became overwhelmed with joy. That album will always be not only my favorite of the bands, but one of my favorite in general. With further listening of not only this song, but the album in general, there seems to be a common theme of taking what they have learned and applying it to their roots.
One song that got my attention immediately was "Premonition of the Hex.' The heavy pounding of the drum with an exciting anticipation in the guitar only to be broken up by vocals is phenomenal. This may be my favorite song in this album. There is something so eerie and yet calming about every note and lyric. That's just one of the reasons I've listened to this band for so long. Just when you think you figured out what the song is about, it changes and becomes something brand-new. There is always something each person can take away and apply to their life or current situations.
Another track "Stay" threw me off in a good way. At first I thought my CD player had changed albums on me to Coheed and Cambria. Everything about this song is so new for the band. It is clean. Yes, the classic Circa melodic draw is sill there, but this is where that bigger label budget come to mind. I don't mind the change; it's just going to take some adjusting to get use to. The progression that this band has made is defiantly still there; you can hear the mix of new and old in many songs, but especially towards the end of "The Hex." The endless melody flows, but yet it is presented in a different fashion.
Overall, and with any Circa Survive album, I would recommend listening to "The Amulet." It is moving, beautifully written, and something the band should be proud of. It's hard to go out and try new things and push the boundaries, but what's even more difficult is honing that back in and remembering the roots from which you started. You can catch the band out on the road this fall on their headlining tour with Thrice.
