Search - Circus Devils :: Five

Think of them as rock art songs

George Griggs | New York | 08/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD, "Five" is not a rock-groove-hook album --however what it is, to me, is a rewarding listening experience.



Along with Circus Devils concept albums "The Harold Pig Memorial" and "Pinball Mars", I have a need to hear "Five" in one sitting to have a complete musical experience.



"Five" contains real songs, but, to me, it's more of a listening and learning experience. The song structures are not obvious pop structures and, like most Circus Devils CDs, it has its share of dissonance and sound experiments.



"Five" is not as accesable and does not have obvious rock/pop reference points as the earlier Circus Devils CDs, but "Five" is well written, well recorded and performed. I can only speculate, but I believe Pollard and Tobias put lots of care and effort into this CD.



I dig the Circus Devils. I like the fact that Robert Pollard and Todd Tobias create such interesting music and make it availble to the public. I am a NYC pop music theatre songwriter and I often retreat to Circus Devils CDs to feel re-energized and inspired. I especially enjoy their CD "Pinball Mars" (Hey -- it has Two Acts and the characters come alive in the theatre in my head. It's more fun that way.).

---George Griggs

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