2010 Sucked! And Here's Why... (A "Best-Of's" Mix) [2010]

2010 has come and gone quickly, but in that seemingly small amount of time a large amount of good music has been put out. So now is the time when we celebrate. Here's 23 of my favorite songs this year. It's 22 completely different artists with only 1 group having more than one song (I'm sorry, I just loved Settler's album so much). So hopefully you'll give it a listen, find some new music, and discover why 2010 was really that good. Some albums I've reviewed, some I haven't (shame on me) so some will have links to the full album set up. Hopefully 2011 will be half as good as 2010.

Tracklisting:
1. Gypsyblood - Take Your Picture (From the EP GYSPYBLOOD)
2. Circa Survive - Get Out (From the album Blue Sky Noise)
3. Portugal. The Man - 1000 Years (From the album American Ghetto)
4. Tides Of Man - Home (From the album Dreamhouse)
5. Zach Hill - Face Tat (From the album Face Tat)
6. Motion City Soundtrack - Disappear (From the album My Dinosaur Life)
7. What's Left Of The Trees - Wake Me! You're Not Waking Me! (From the EP Where There's Water, There Must Be Shore)
8. Foxy Shazam - Wanna-Be Angel (From the album Foxy Shazam)
9. The Black Keys - Sinister Kid (From the album Brothers)
10. Native - Ponyboy (From the album Wrestling Moves)
11. Maps And Atlases - Solid Ground (From the album Perch Patchwork)
12. The Xcerts - Slackerpop (From the album Scatterbrain)
13. Look Mexico - They Offered Me A Deal (I Said No, Naturally) (From the album To Bed To Battle)
14. Fang Island - Sideswiper (From the album Fang Island)
15. Lost Apparitions - Hey Zeus (From the album Old Friends On New Planets)
16. Tera Melos - Frozen Zoo (From the album Patagonian Rats)
17. Settler - * (From the album War Wolves)
18. Minus The Bear - The Thief (From the album OMNI)
19. Settler - War Wolves (From the album War Wolves)
20. Options - Static (From the album Some Light)
21. Snowing - Mark Z. Danielewski (From the album I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted)
22. The Dear Hunter -B. Linus (From the EP The Branches EP)
23. Tubelord - Night Of The Pencils (From the album One For The Grandparents)


- A

Circa Survive - The Appendage EP

The boys of Circa Survive work fast. Their last album, Blue Sky Noise, was released in April and only 7 months later they put out the Appendage EP. The EP is a short 5 songs long which include 4 new tunes and full band remake of Everyway (the song was originally released on the deluxe edition of Blue Sky Noise as an acoustic bonus track). Overall, this release feels a little lighter for the band. The songs feel a bit less organized than on other albums, they seem to float by and don't have much direction. One of the highlights is the explosive ending of Lazarus. Though I don't like it as much as the band's previous record, it still is a great EP and adds to Circa's already impressive discography.

Genre: Melodic Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: Tides Of Man, Coheed And Cambria, In:Aviate
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Sleep Underground (Demo)
2. Stare Like You'll Stay
3. Everyway
4. Backmask
5. Lazarus


- A

Dredg/Circa Survive Concert

After every Circa Survive concert that I have been to, I've thought that it was the best concert that I've ever seen, and this time was no exception. They just keep improving their show. They expanded their setlist, added a captivating light show, had glow-stick filled beach balls bouncing over the audience, and as always, displayed their immense musical talent.

Before the actual concert, I was able to attend an acoustic performance with the band where they played "unplugged" versions of Get Out, Imaginary Enemy, I Felt Free, and Every Way. The set had a very personal feeling, with the small stage and crowd, and the band sounded excellent. It was a great beginning for the evening, which just got better from there.

The first opening band at the concert was Animals As Leaders, a band I hadn't heard of before the show, but one that I very much enjoyed. Their lineup of two guitarists and a drummer (who really impressed me with his relentless style) played an intense set of instrumental progressive metal that was quite irresistible live, and I'd definitely recommend checking out. After them Codeseven was up, and, while not as impressive as the first band, they were decent enough.

Dredg was awesome to see live, playing their dynamic style of progressive rock. Their guitarist laid down some catchy hooks while Gavin Hayes' vocals ranged from soothing to shouting, and occasional keyboards added an additional element of complexity. At times mellow, then crescendoing into a heavier rock section, then a dance-ready groove, their set had a lot of variety. This very talented band makes quality music that deserves so much more attention than it gets (so if you haven't heard them listen to them, and I'll review an album of theirs soon,) and they have a new album coming out next year.

At last, it was time for Circa Survive. With a huge banner of the Blue Sky Noise album cover as the backdrop, the band entered the stage, and although I've seen them several times this year, they amazed me yet again. They opened with the first three tracks of their latest album, and from there, played a nice mix of older and newer songs including In Fear And Faith, Mandala, and The Difference Between Medicine and Poison. There were also some unexpected additions, like when Anthony brought out the acoustic guitar for the intimate Spirit Of The Stairwell. The new interludes they played in between some of their songs were fun to hear, and may offer a taste of what The Appendage EP (which is now available for pre-order here and is out November 30) has in store. The music and vocals were perfect, and Anthony provided his entertaining, talkative, and at times hilarious, stage presence I have come to expect. Circa closed with an encore of Compendium and the wistful Dyed In The Wool, which seemed a fitting and satisfying ending for most spectacular concert I've attended.

-T

PS. I still want to see Circa play Fever Dreams live. Hopefully they will next time.

Circa Survive - MySpace Transmissions [2010]

Circa Survive recently put up their MySpace Transmissions, which consists of alternate versions of some of the songs off their latest album Blue Sky Noise, and a brilliant cover of Nirvana's Scentless Apprentice. You can download the EP for free, watch videos of performances of all the songs, and videos of interviews with the band about influences on the album, thoughts about their songs, and more. Although you don't necessarily get much "new material" on the EP, this is incredible stuff for anyone who loves Circa as much as I do, and is without a doubt worth checking out (it's one of the best bands out there giving you some awesome music!) Circa's live performances are, as always, entertaining to watch; their talent as musicians is evident and their improvisations on some of the songs are fun to hear.

Genre: Melodic Post-Hardcore, Progressive

For Fans Of: Saosin, In:Aviate, Tides Of Man

Contact: Website

Tracklisting:

1. Glass Arrows

2. Get Out

3. I Felt Free

4. Imaginary Enemy

5. Through The Desert Alone

6. Scentless Apprentice (Nirvana Cover)

-T

Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise Bonus Acoustic Tracks [2010]

These tracks were originally released with the deluxe version of Blue Sky Noise and they're all awesome versions of the normal songs. The last track, Every Way is a b-side from the album that I think sounds more like an Anthony Green solo song. But either way, it's awesome and worth giving a spin.

Genre: Acoustic
For Fans Of: Anthony Green,
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Get Out (Acoustic)
2. I Felt Free (Acoustic)
3. Dyed In The Wool (Acoustic)
4. Every Way (Acoustic)



- A

Circa Survive - On Letting Go [2007] and On Letting Go B-Sides

Circa Survive's second album is a solid progression from their first. The guitar work is harder and more expansive, Anthony Green's vocals are more impressive and flow with the music, and the sound has just been stepped up. That being said, I'm still not sure whether I like it more than Juturna since both have such well written songs so the title of "Best Circa Survive Record" is still up for grabs. But one thing's for sure, the album has more "hard" songs that Juturna did. It's less "airy" (for lack of a better word) but that doesn't make it any less good. Just give it a listen and let me know which one you think is best (maybe you even like Blue Sky Noise the most, I wanna know!).

Also, I've included the 2 b-sides that were released after the album was put out. I included them in the main download and also put them as a separate download for those who just want those.

Genre: Melodic Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: Coheed and Cambria, The Dear Hunter, Closure In Moscow
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Living Together
2. In The Morning And Amazing
3. The Greatest Lie
4. The Difference Between Poison And Medicine Is In The Dose
5. Mandala
6. Travel Hymn
7. Semi-Constructive Criticism
8. Kicking Your Crosses Down
9. On Letting Go
10. Carry Us Away
11. Close Your Eyes To See
12. Your Friends Are Gone

B-Sides:
13. 1,000 Witnesses
14. The Most Dangerous Commercials


- A

Circa Survive - The Inuit Sessions [2005]

The first official release by Circa is this little gem, The Inuit Sessions. The EP contains "Act Appalled" and "The Great Golden Baby" which both appeared later on Juturna, the band's first LP. Though you really will only get 2 new tracks (assuming you already have Juturna), those are both quite good and sound just like classic Circa Survive. The songs feel like b-sides and actually flow into the album really well (such as the feedback from Oh, Hello is the same as the feedback that starts Suspending Disbelief).

Genre: Melodic Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: Anthony Green, Coheed and Cambria, As Tall As Lions
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Act Appalled
2. The Great Golden Baby
3. Suspending Disbelief
4. Handshakes at Sunrise (Demo)



- A

Tour Announcement: Circa Survive and The Dear Hunter

Circa Survive just announced a new tour with The Dear Hunter and O' Brother going through the southern west coast. Presale is going up June 18th at noon and actual sale is going on June 23rd. I'm really excited for this since Circa and TDH are some of my favorite bands. The best part (for me at least) is that they're going to be coming through the town I live in, which I've NEVER seen a band go into. So lucky me, eh? Anyways, hope that you can make it to one of the concerts.


Fri/7-23 Tucson, AZ @ The Rock
Sat/7-24 Phoenix, AZ @ The Nile
Sun/7-25 San Diego, CA - Radio Show
Tue/7-27 Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theatre
Wed/7-28 San Jose, CA @ The Blank Club
Thu/7-29 San Luis Obispo, CA @ Downtown Brew
Fri/7-30 Bakersfield, CA @ Jerry's Pizza
Sat/7-31 St. George, UT @ Electric Theatre
Sun/8-1 San Bernardino, CA @ Stingers

- A

Circa Survive - Imaginary Enemy [Official Video]

The music video for Circa Survive's "Imaginary Enemy" is here and it's seriously dope. Check it out:

I want to start posting a music video every Tuesday, the Music Video of the Week, if I can find enough that are as awesome as this.

Peace,

-T

Best Concert Ever!

As I expected, the Coheed & Cambria and Circa Survive concert was incredible! To start the night off, me and my friends attended an acoustic performance and signing by Coheed at Graywhale music store. After quite a wait in line, we finally made it into the store and crowded around the stage. Coheed played a three song set, Here We Are Juggernaut, which sounded really cool acoustic, Pearl Of The Stars, and closed with Welcome Home. They sounded great acoustic, and this got me really pumped for the actual concert, which we headed over to after getting some stuff signed.

We got there just before Circa Survive started playing, and pushed up to the front. The band came onto the stage amidst a roar of applause and Anthony announced "We're Circa Survive and this song is called Get Out!" and then started jamming. It was a great opener to their set, which included some songs off their new album like Glass Arrows, Strange Terrain, Through The Desert Alone, and Imaginary Enemy, and some off their older albums like The Glorious Nosebleed, In Fear And Faith, The Great Golden Baby, Stop The Car, Living Together, and In The Morning And Amazing. They have so much energy in their onstage presence, which makes watching them really fun, plus they sound just as boss as they do on their albums, if not better. Anthony Green is a perfect entertainer, with his top notch singing, dancing across the stage, and talking to the crowd, and the entire band really showed off how truly talented they are. I would have enjoyed listening to them for at least twice as long as they played, but unfortunately their set had to end.

Then it was Coheed's turn to rock my face off, and they did just that, starting with One and The Broken. Then they proceded to play many of my favorite songs of theirs, some old some new. Off of Second Stage they played Time Consumer and Everything Evil, off of In Keeping Secrets they played the title track, Three Evils, Al The Killer, A Favor House Atlantic, and 2113, off Good Apollo they played Welcome Home, and off No World For Tomorrow they played the title track, and off Year of the Black Rainbow, they played Here We Are Juggernaut, Pearl of the Stars, Made Out Of Nothing, World of Lines, Guns of Summer, and a beautiful acoustic version of Far. Claudio and his hair did great on the vocals, with backup vocals from the crowd on every song, and all of the band put on a great performance full of mind blowing solos, a great encore, and sounded just as epic, if not more, than they do on their albums. I loved every minute of this concert and eagerly await the return of both bands. If you want to hear the best music you'll ever hear, get their albums and go see them when they come to your area! If not, why are you reading this?



-T

Coheed And Circa Concert Tonight!!

Ahh! So excited for tonight! Gonna see my two favorite bands, Coheed & Cambria and Circa Survive, play and going to an acoustic Coheed set before the show, so it should be an amazing evening. I would recommend everyone join me at this concert (or go see Coheed and Circa when they come to your area) as it is sure to be epic.

Also, we never posted anything on PPSK about The Fall of Troy concert that Alek and I attended a few weeks ago, so just wanted to give them a shout out and say thanks for the incredible performance and wish them luck with their future projects. We got to meet them and talk to them after and they were the coolest guys!

-T

Circa Survive - Blue Sky Noise [2010] [MEB]

Following their 2007 sophomore attempt entitled "On Letting Go", Circa Survive went back to the studio last year and recording their next full-length record, "Blue Sky Noise". The Anthony Green-led quintet features the ex-Saosin frontman's soaring vocals and guitarists Colin Frangicetto and Brendan Ekstrom's airy and elaborate fret work riding on top of Nick Beard (bassist) and Steve Clifford's (drummer) accentual rhythm playing. Circa Survive knows their sound well and can pull it off with finesse, but unfortunately, it seems that this sound is the only one they can convey. Fortunately for the band, the music that they produce is top-notch.

The main attraction for Circa Survive is, as it is for most bands, the lead singer, and in this case Anthony Green. His high-pitched voice is unique and discernible from the over-saturated crowd of other high-pitched singers that are oh-so-available in this musical generation. His talent shines through with melodic singing and powerful screams (rare, but still there, though admittedly they are much more prevalent on his Saosin and The Sound of Animals Fighting recordings) which are both able to bend heart strings to his will.

Of course, what is a vocalist without an song to sing over? He is but a car without a road to drive on, a stream without a hill to run down? It's beauty with no direction. But thankfully this car has a highway, this stream a mountain, this vocalist a masterpiece. The guitar work of both Frangicetto and Ekstrom has become more intricate on this album, both in the individual sense and when viewed (or heard) as a whole. The lines weaving in and out between each other, sometimes one playing chords while the other leads, sometimes neither follow and both work together to create the atmospheric and ethereal sound that Circa is known for.

Blue Sky Noise takes both of these elements and perfects them, making the Circa Survive sound set in stone, the only problem is that this is their only sound. Sure, there is some variation, there's the upbeat and happy songs such as "Get Out" and "Imaginary Enemy" as well as the more airy, slowed down tunes like "Spirit of the Stairwell" and "Dyed in the Wool" but generally speaking, most songs sound similar and samey. This would be fine for a single album, but it spans all 3 full lengths and gets somewhat tiresome. As an avid Circa Survive fan it's difficult to be upset about having more of what I love, but I believe that bands need to progress and grow and Circa feels like a record on repeat.

Retracing the footsteps of previous releases, Circa Survive have created a pleasurable listening experience that exacts the formula that has been getting them praise since 2004. The vocals roar high and delve deep into the soul, the guitars relax and excite you all at once, the mood is laid back and fun, it is Circa Survive just as you've always known them. Hopefully the next release will vary more from the set standard, but if not it will still be a solid record.

Genre: Ethereal Post-Hardcore
For Fans Of: Coheed and Cambria, Anthony Green, High and Driving
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Strange Terrain
2. Get Out
3. Glass Arrows
4. I Felt Fine
5. Imaginary Enemy
6. Through The Desert Alone
7. Frozen Creek
8. Fever Dreams
9. Spirit Of The Stairwell
10. The Longest Mile
11. Compendium
12. Dyed In The Wool



-A

New Circa Survive Music Video

Circa just posted a new video for the single "Get Out" up on their website. You can go see it HERE.

It's pretty cool, looks a lot like the "sequences" (which were put up as teasers to the new album) meshed together with a few live performance shots thrown in. They did post pictures of them playing it in front of a green screen (in order to have a "floating guitar" effect) saying that it was for the Get Out video, so my guess is that this one is just to hold people over. Not the real one that's gonna be on MTV (do they even still play music on there?) or anything, but fun nonetheless.

Also, that picture is probably the greatest thing ever. It has everything. NICK BEARD, the BASSIST of CIRCA SURVIVE with a kickin MOUSTACHE (irony?) and wearing a t-shirt that fights AGAINST CANCER. Not to mention the awesome face of the guy in the bottom right corner. Priceless.

-A

Circa Survive - Juturna [2005]

After kicking the Saosin habit in 2004, Anthony Green returned to Pennsylvania and began working with his friend Colin Frangicetto to form Circa Survive. Juturna is Circa's first full length disc (released little over a month after the Inuit Sessions) and it sets a standard for the rest of their music. Post-hardcore rhythms and airy guitars are the basis for the sound, but Green's distinctly high-pitched and melodic vocals is what gives the group it's impressive feel. The lyrical content pulls from a few different influences, but mainly the novel House of Leave and the films Boondock Saints and Sunshine For The Spotless Mind (<-good show). The album kicks off in high gear with Act Appalled but slows down near the middle as shown in songs such as In Fear And Faith and We're All Thieves before hitting another high point at Oh, Hello before ending with the acoustic Meet Me In Montauk and "secret" track House of Leaves. Ambient and exciting, this record is one of the reasons 2005 was a great year in music.

Genre: Melodic Post-Hardcore, Progressive, Experimental
For Fans Of: Coheed and Cambria, Portugal. The Man, Anthony Green
Contact: Myspace
Tracklisting:
1. Holding Someone's Hair Back
2. Act Appalled
3. Wish Resign
4. The Glorious Nosebleed
5. In Fear and Faith
6. The Great Golden Baby
7. Stop the Fuckin' Car
8. We're All Thieves
9. Oh, Hello
10. Always Getting What You Want
11. Meet Me in Montauk

-T&A

Pre-Order Time!

Hey guys,
So two of the albums I am the most excited for this year (Circa Survive and Coheed) are now available for pre-order! And one new song from each new album is available to listen to on both the band's websites. The new Circa song "Get Out" is especially tasty. You should definitely check them out and if you like them pre-order them and if you don't you fail at life.
Links:
http://www.circasurvive.com/
http://www.coheedandcambria.com/us/yotbr

PS. The album art for the new Circa album is sick


- A