Seven Second Circle

Hello and thanks again for traveling with the Concert Closet fellow progheads! Hopefully the new posting format agrees with you; I know it has given me the opportunity to expand the search for all things prog and explore more intricately newly discovered bands and those that have made an impression.  Peeling back the layers takes time and allows me to find out more about the machinations behind that curtain, under that rock, and buried in that soil.  While I have been traveling the globe--and the search for all things prog will continue on that worldwide quest--I have also been enjoying some great progressive rock right here in these United States.  This particular fourteen day adventure has brought the Concert Closet back to the "left coast" for a listen in with Seven Second Circle.

Seven Second Circle refer to themselves as "...cognitive and ethereal progressive rock...Thinking Man's Prog..."  That description  paints a vivid picture that I want hanging in the Concert Closet, so I set the GPS for Oregon and start the journey.

First cut served up on the platter is one from the darker side; "Fracture."  Seven Second Circle wastes no time; they go right for the jugular once the laser touches disc.  Guitars begin to hammer at  the inner lining of your skull with precision as drums work to peel the soft layers away.  Deliberately and with just a hint of subtlety, the tempo drops back and begins to stroll through the headphones like a hiker crossing the Mount Olympus Trail--with careful determination.  Top notes of Dream Theater with hints of King Crimson emanate from the headphones, and I detect aromatics of Beardfish wafting through the air as well.  Seven Second Circle tend some rich soil in the prog garden...

Going back for more, I find a tune a bit more cerebral yet still walking the dark edges of the garden; "The Great Depression."  The acoustic guitar breaks in first, accompanied by vocals smooth like a blank canvas...and then Dr. Jekyll makes way for Mr. Hyde.  The tempo picks up, the atmosphere gets a bit ominous, and the song delves deeper into the crevices of the mind.  No metal explosion for those so inclined, but the mood does segue down a dark alley...Seven Second Circle underlines cerebral with a permanent marker; I sense a bit of Vanilla Fudge wafting in through the open window....

Liner Notes...originating in Salem, Oregon, Seven Second Circle is Brian Forster on vocals, Jarrett Holly on keyboards and guitars, Rich Clinton on guitars and vocals, Thom Tessandori on bass, and Doug Cramer on drums.

Seven Second Circle released their debut album "Divide" just a year ago, so they are newcomers to the prog garden--and laying some hearty roots that I expect will take hold and grow deep as they draw from very fertile soil.  Tending to acreage in the Beardfish/Genesis/Transatlantic section, Seven Second Circle likes to hit hard and creep around the dark edges--but don't get complacent with the gloomy colors of the pallet...this is a band that can throw loud, bright colors at the canvas as well...they just dip the brush in the darker hues first for emphasis...

My final serving for review is another cut that dabbles in the dark outer reaches of the garden while standing firm under the examination light; "Nothing Less Than Nothing."  The acoustic guitar that opens the song lays a soft foundation, much like carpeting the basement allows for a little rough housing.  But the head slams and body punches are mainly analytical; Seven Second Circle hurls intellectual bombs rather than excessive use of guitar amps--and it is quite refreshing.  Top notes of Psicolorama and hints of Atlas Volt permeate the soundscape here...the headphones wrapped like caramel around a fresh macintosh, luring you closer and deeper.  There is a Pink Floyd depth to the sound...the way "See Emily Play" laid the necessary cobblestones that led to "Run Like Hell."  Seven Second Circle is the nerdy kid in math class who manages to catch the eye of the homecoming
queen--and takes her to the prom.  Brains, style, and just the right amount of chutzpah...

The song clip posted below for your listening pleasure is called "Bitter."  Another piece that cuts as deep lyrically as it does musically; the keyboards meld seamlessly with the guitars while the drums sit gently below the surface...with a grip just tight enough.  Seven Second Circle seem to enjoy making the listener think--not just hear. You can't help but listen intently, and the cerebral challenge the band poses with each song on the disc invigorates the mind...

You can learn more about Seven Second Circle and  purchase "Divide" at the band's Bandcamp site, Seven Second Circle Bandcamp and their website Seven Second Circle.  A few spins in the CD player may lead you to wanting more, so check out the Seven Second Circle Facebook page
Seven Second Circle FB and Twitter @SevenSecondCir.
Feel free to stay in this section of the garden a while...no need to rush the thought process...


                   

And once again fellow progheads new growth in the prog garden is unearthed and exposed to light. Seven Second Circle, while perhaps not as widely known, echoes with early Genesis, Gentle Giant, and the initial work of Kansas because they don't swamp you with layer upon layer of sound built up to be just that--lots of sound.  This is a band that prefers to drill deeper  into your thought process and consciousness.  Another example of why progressive rock stands apart from other genres; the ability to transform something simple into complex art--without making you feel inadequate about what you're listening to.

The Closet Concert Arena continues the search for all things prog with the hope of discovering more bands that make you listen--and make you reflect.  The prog garden may be crowded, but there is always room for healthy growth and new discoveries.  So the journey continues...until next time...