Blue Sky Noise Review.

Ugh. I don’t even know where to begin with this note nor do I really understand why I’m so obsessed with this topic. I NEED to express this to anyone that will listen because I am sincerely bummed on the outcome of Circa Survives new album, Blue Sky Noise. Please, do not get me wrong, after listening to the album now for the past 2 days straight I can at least admit that it is not as horrible as my ears once thought. However, it is a serious disappointment for me, a pretty intense Circa fan. Basically, this is not what I expected. And YES, I get it... maybe it is a GOOD thing that this is something new and NOT what typical Circa fans were hoping for. In my opinion however, not so much, and this is why.


Let me start off by saying that I think Anthony Green is one of the most talented lyricists out there. I have been following his career as early as 2003 when he was lead vocalist for the band Saosin. He soon left that band in 2004 because as a whole, the band decided to go in a direction that Green didn’t agree with. Green then formed the band we now know as Circa Survive. He has also done side projects with The Sound of Animals Fighting, High & Driving, and in addition he has his own solo career. I can openly admit that there is not ONE thing that he has done that I haven’t liked or a song he has written that I don’t love. Even despite his solo album, Avalon, being a bit hard to chew, lyrically, I think Avalon is pure genius.

Of course anyone would get super pumped and anxious upon hearing the news that one of his or her favorite bands is due to release a new album. I feel like, for a while, I was tortured and teased with their constant video updates of them working in the studio. I recently just did a bit more research and learned that three-time grammy winner David Bottrill produced Circa’s latest album, Blue Sky Noise and it was mixed by Rich Costey who has worked with The Mars Volta and Muse. In my opinion, one would assume something masterful and creative to be born with this duo working with Circa Survive. However, after listening through Blue Sky Noise, after the third time, I can honestly say this is no Juturna (duh).

I think my greatest frustration with this album is that it sounds… radio-esq. You can fight me all you want on this subject, and do not get me wrong, I can appreciate almost any band that has risen to radio level, but if I wanted to listen to the radio… I would. Circa Survive was originally with Equal Vision Records in which they produced The Inuit Sessions, Juturna and On Letting Go. They recently just signed over and produced Blue Sky Noise with the major label Atlantic Records. I would just like to point out that if I told my 56 year old mother to go to the Atlantic Records website, click on Artists – she would recognize a LARGE handful of the artists they have signed. However, if she were to visit Equal Vision’s website, I can honestly say she would not recognize the names of any artists signed by them. Obviously, being with a major label is going to require a “major label sound”. And for those who have constantly complained about Anthony Green having an “androgynous shrieking voice” can officially zip their lips. Blue Sky Noise proves Anthony can sing with a deeper and less eerie sound. Congratulations, now you can listen to the album and point out every lyric he is singing – no more deciphering. Do I personally like this change? - Of course not. Anthony’s hypnotic voice, to me, is what MAKES Circa Survive, Circa Survive. His presence is still there, but I feel the power has been lessoned or muted. I understand the need and want to evolve musically, and do I think they succeeded in this, hell yes. Musically you can hear great leaps from their previous albums. The drums and guitar are as smooth as caramel. The sound is pure and even has the tranquil, refreshing sounds that will simply glide into your eardrums. It seems as if nearly anyone I have had this conversation with that tells me this album is pretty good, is a musician themselves. I agree with you guys – whole-heartedly.

However… lyrically, this album has taken Circa Survive a few steps backwards. I’m unsure if it’s the change from Equal Vision to Atlantic but there is so much less density in the lyrics on Blue Sky Noise. For me, the lyrics on Juturna and On Letting Go created HUGE amounts of imagery. Listening to this album, I literally feel like crying, as lame as that sounds. One of the greatest lyricists in my eyes has succumbed to the needs of every typical teenager out there that want a direct, fluffy and straight forward lyric about love. Blue Sky Noise is filled with hooks and one-liners for the anguished teen to scream along to. TRUST ME when I say that I would be a hypocrite if I said I don’t listen to songs about love and loss – but I expected something more abstract and vigor from Anthony Green. At least something not so black and white, or cookie cutter. It’s even obvious when viewing the lyrics side by side from the first two albums to Blue Sky Noise.

For me, personally, everything I loved about Circa Survive has been taken out of this album. I feel completely robbed. Blue Sky Noise creates less of an investment for listeners, and maybe this is why I am so bent out of shape about it, because I HAVE devoted a lot into their first two albums. I can sincerely say that Circa Survive has been a huge influence on me, not only in my musical taste but also in my life. Nothing on this album is a sincere punch to the face or an awakening, and that’s what I thrive off of when listening to Circa Survive.

And as Circa once said in Always Getting What You Want off their Juturna album – “It’s the talent, not the promo shots.” Yeah… apparently not.