published: 6 /
7 /
2008
Label:
Suicide Squeeze Records
Format: CD
Engaging second album of post rock from Chicago-based instrumental group Russian Circles, who draw fine comparisions with the likes of Tortoise, Isis and Pelican
Review
Russian Circles’ ‘Station’ starts so slowly the listener might be tempted to check to see if the CD player is on. But soon a repeated three-note guitar motif emerges from the silence, accompanied by the rise and fall of an e-bowed tune and shimmering cymbals.
The slow build is reminiscent of bands like Magnog and Tortoise, and few will be surprised to hear the band hails from the capital of post-rock, Chicago.
The trio of Mike Sullivan, Dave Turncrantz and Brian Cook has a good handle on post rock dynamics, blending simple structures into multi-faceted patterns of sound.
The droning bass and marching band drums of ‘Harper Lewis’ switched neatly to delayed guitar and cymbal hits before unleashing the sort of heavy guitar riffage that bands like Isis, Zozobra and Pelican specialize in (and to which Russian Circles’ music has been frequently compared). The title track lunges almost immediately into metallurgy with hard-charging guitars and snappy drums pushing the tune along at a speedy clip before downshifting into more shimmering cymbals and plucked guitar, then slowly building again to a finale replete with grumbling distortion.
The distortion of ‘Verses’ is first heard faintly, as if it was storm clouds in the distance; as it builds in volume it also increases in delicacy, coming to resemble the lead in ‘Campaign’ but with a greater emphasis on Turncrantz’ vigorous drumming.
‘Youngblood’ also heats things up with some energetic heavy metal guitar riffing, while closer ‘XAVII’ starts on a more sombre note.
The six instrumentals on ‘Station’ pass by briskly, studiously avoiding too obvious patterns of rise and fall and providing a consistently engaging listen.
Track Listing:-
1
Campaign
2
Harper Lewis
3
Station
4
Verses
5
Youngblood
6
Xavii
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/russiancircle
http://www.russiancirclesband.com/
https://russiancircles.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/russiancircles
Label Links:-
http://suicidesqueezerecords.tumblr.co
https://twitter.com/suicidesqueeze
https://vimeo.com/user4950605
https://www.facebook.com/suicidesqueez
http://suicidesqueeze.bandcamp.com/