Circa Survive - Violent Waves

Fresh from Philadelphia, PA the home of cheesesteaks and the Phillies, Circa Survive are back at it with their all new studio release titled Violent Waves. The follow up to 2010's Blue Sky Noise finds the alt-rockers continuing to build upon the buzz from their last release, and translates it into something that is rewarding and ultimately satisfying for the average music listener and for the diehard Circa Survive fan.

We start things off with "Birth of the Economic Hit Man", an eerie, ominous rocker that gives us a glimpse inside the vocal prowess of Anthony Green, who has contributed a great deal both sonically and with his overall musical presence that is the root cause of Circa Survive's overall success as a group so far. "Sharp Practice" picks up the pace substantially from the prior track, and aims to create a wholesome and musically cohesive track that exemplifies the group's talents and their capabilities when they put all of their musical muscle together and see what becomes of it. "The Lottery" is exponentially louder and more musically dynamic than the prior tracks, in the sense that there's a lot more going on with sharply focused guitar riffs and Anthony's pristine vocal abilities making this song a real treat for music listeners and longtime admirers of Anthony Green alike. My favorite track off the disc is "My Only Friend", a track that strikes a perfect balance between the band's prog leaning rhythms and downtempo musical interludes that best highlight Anthony's top notch vocal style that sets him apart from his contemporaries out in the scene today, a masterful track from start to finish.

We're onto the disc's second half with "Think of Me When They Sound", an ambient, laid-back rocker that showcases Anthony's softer side with a delicate and calm style that gives you further evidence that Anthony Green has one of the best voices in music today. "Brother Sound" continues to build upon the energy and buzz from the prior song, and creates much of the same musical wavelengths that the prior song accomplishes, albeit at a different angle than its predecessor did. The disc's end is near with "Blood From A Stone", a clearcut and consistent rocker that starts to usher in the feeling of the album's demise with sharp and decisive rhythms that give the listener a feel of what is coming their way relatively soon. "I'll Find A Way" ends it all here with a summarized and encapsulated rocker that takes in all the musical elements that we've heard so far, and is condensed in a format that is easy to comprehend and allows us to take a glimpse of all the musical shapes and sizes that we've come in contact with on this album and fell in love with at first listen. I was blown away with Circa Survive when I first heard them way back in 2007 when they released "On Letting Go". I was even more blown away with the talents of Anthony Green when he released his debut solo album titled "Avalon" shortly after that, which had me immediately sold and proved to me that he is a force to be reckoned with and is an extremely focused and talented individual, one that doesn't come around too often these days and has staked his claim as one of the most dynamic frontmen in alternative rock today. A bona fide and natural talent through and through.

All in all, a spectacular and well rehearsed effort out forth by Circa Survive, one of the most consistent and thorough bands in the world of music today, and it's all thanks to Anthony Green's strong leadership and stage presence that has made them the masterful act that are standing right before you today. Definitely recommended!

                                                                                                                              Album Score: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. Birth of the Economic Hit Man
2. Sharp Practice
3. Suitcase
4. The Lottery
5. My Only Friend
6. Phantasmagoria
7. Think of Me When They Sound
8. Brother Song
9. Bird Sounds
10. Blood From A Stone
11. I'll Find A Way