Circuline: C.O.R.E.

Although they punctuated their time away with a live album entitled New View, it’s been eight years since US prog outfit Circuline delivered an all new studio album. C.O.R.E. is that release and as you may expect after a near decade away, some changes have also occurred within the band. Still in place are the trio of Natalie Brown on vocals, Andrew Colyer on keys and Darin Brannon behind the kit. Shelby Logan Warne (also of Kyros) is now handling bass, while Lifesigns, Iona, The Strawbs member and solo artist, Dave Bainbridge, provides his undoubted guitar prowess.

Turning to C.O.R.E., the old adage that you never get a second opportunity to make a first impression causes me to wonder exactly what the thought process was behind opening with “Tempus Horribilus�. Noodling guitar, haunting keys and, rather oddly, what appears to be samples of The Queen talking of her ‘annus horribilus’ can be heard amongst other voices that may or may not be Prince Charles, a UK politician, or just someone meant to sound like one or the other.

As intro tracks go, it’s as skippable as they come and all the more confusing when the lilting Yes sheen of “Third Rail� changes the mood completely. Throughout the album, Natalie Brown proves to be a real boon for Circuline, a consummate, dynamic performer who can keep things small and intimate, but, when the need arises, also fill any space with her voice she gives care to. In truth, the generally sedate style of the music as we move through the floating “Say Their Name� and overly patient “Temporal Thing� gives her much room in which to impose her presence, with the atmosphere always controlled and calm - maybe overly so. Something that’s all the more frustrating when the altogether more forceful “All� illustrates how memorable this band can be when they up the intensity factor just a notch or two. It’s hardly a slice of hard hitting metal, but the intention is much less shy and retiring, which also allows the guitar solo from Bainbridge to really make a mark. The 10 minute plus “You� does make an attempt to recapture that impetus, but with its first 3 minutes little more than a strolling introduction, it’s a misplaced intention.

It’s difficult to be too harsh on C.O.R.E., with not one single performance, or indeed song being below par, and yet, bring its eight tracks together and unfortunately, one or two moments aside, the results are just a little forgettable. Hopefully they can catch a little more of the energy that “All� illustrates and use that as a foundation for any future works.

Track Listing
1. Tempus Horribilis 

2. Third Rail 

3. Say Their Name 

4. All 

5. Temporal Thing 

6. You 

7. Blindside 

8. Transmission Error

Added: September 11th 2024
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Curculine online
Hits: 634
Language: english

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