Circuline "Circulive Majestik"

Good evening once again fellow progheads!  Whether you're in quarantine, a forced lock down, or just plain staying at home for the foreseeable future, I hope you are virus-free, safe, and finding musical pleasure in the prog garden.

The search for all things prog continues despite the worldwide pandemic, and since the idea of seeing a live show is all but a fantasy until (at least) Autumn 2021, I thought now the perfect time to bring a "live show" to the Concert Closet.  So regardless as to whether I'm rubbing salt in a fresh wound or making the best of a difficult situation, welcome to the latest release from Circuline; Circulive Majestik."

Another band with a strong female lead vocalist; coincidence?  Perhaps not...
Once again my headphones are on and the first song to pierce my auditory canals is "Who I Am," with a strong keyboard intro that leads into a soft melodic flow that is reminiscent of Yes.  Lead vocals are not only strong they are shared, making for a bit of intrigue I simply cannot avoid...

Opening the show with "Who I Am" starts the journey with an introspective kick.  Right away you are thrust down a rabbit hole of wonder as the piano mesmerizes you.  The guitars and percussion pick up on that energy and push you farther along...and then darkness--save the lone candle burning a hole through the center of the canvas.  Those double lead vocals burst on the scene,  and yes it is extremely captivating.  There are aromatics of Supertramp floating through this cut, right down to the bone-chilling wind that blows through as the mood changes.  A touch of Camel comes through as well, filling the room with all sorts of energy bursts.  A great opening performance...

Next on the playlist is "Summit."  There is somewhat of a Moody Blues feel as the song opens; soft and genteel.  The guitar that leads you deeper into the song is smooth like the satin lining of a suede jacket.  The vocals wrap around that guitar like a scarf on a blustery day.  Top notes are Fairport Convention and Gentle Giant as the music fills the canvas with deep, rich hues.  Circuline has put together an album that reaches across the prog garden to satisfy many affluent tastes.

Liner Notes...Calling New York home, Circuline is a live action definition of what it means to be a band--the contributions of all being necessary to create the whole.  With Natalie Brown and Billy Spillane sharing lead vocal duties, Andrew Colyer on keyboards, Alek Darson on guitars, Matt Dorsey on bass, and Darin Bannon on drums, I am reminded of The Band in the sense that everyone makes multiple contributions to the entirety of the project...and it is an impressive ensemble.

Brought to life in 2014, Circuline is a "Mulligan Stew" of talent; two theatre quality lead vocalists, a keyboard player that attended Julliard, bass and guitar players that channel 70's prog at it finest, and a drummer who connects it all together.  Cinematic symphonic prog meets AOR and blows the roof off--without frivolous distractions.

Get to know Circuline at their website Circulinemusic and purchase their music at Bandcamp.  There is also Facebook and Twitter @CirculineMusic to stay connected and learn the latest the band has to offer.

The final spin this week is "Stay Alive."  The opening path the song leads you down is once again fraught with sounds coming at you from several directions brought together beautifully by Natalie's vocals. Keyboards and drums work together on this piece to underscore the guitar; so majestic throughout.  Circuline channels a bit of The Strawbs here; they truly pay homage to their cinematic/symphonic roots. 

For your listening pleasure I chose "Hollow."  I wanted you to get a taste of what this band is capable of; running the gambit from beautiful piano work to intricate keyboards, slick guitars to solid drums and percussion, and of course the dueling vocal stylings.  As fine tuned a live recording as anything in my current collection.  Sit back and enjoy... 


                     

So fellow progheads, I hope you enjoyed the "live" show from the prog garden this week.  Circuline is a band that connects on so many levels, bringing a sound to the Concert Closet that had me more than once checking the calendar to see if I time traveled back to the prog heydays of the 70's.

Now it's time to look ahead as the search for all things prog continues the journey...until next time...