Inner Nova Music [Release date 09.10.20]

Starting out covering Yes, Genesis, ELP, Gentle Giant, King Crimson, UK, Jethro Tull, Rush, and Pink Floyd, three members of New York based tribute band Downing Grey decided to form Circuline in 2014 as a vehicle to write and perform their own brand of prog.

Founder members and main writers Andrew Colyer (keyboards), Bill Shannon (guitars) and Darin Brannon (drums) brought in Matt Dorsey (Sound of Contact) to play bass on five tracks on their debut, recruiting Led Zeppelin tribute band, No Quarter singer Billy Spillane, and Natalie Brown a singer with 20+ years theatrical experience to front the band on vocals.

12 months in the making, their debut Return (2015) was an ‘old school’ album, with their collective influences never far below the surface and scoring a ***1/2 review here at GRTR!

Their quick turnaround follow-up Counterpoint (2016) scored similarly and unlike their debut, which was very much a case of ‘spot the influence’, was a more cohesive piece of work peppered with atmospheric spatial ambience, if lacking a real ‘killer’ track.

CircuLive::Majestik a CD/DVD/Blu-ray release (one that passed GRTR! by) captured the band’s first large scale public performance at RosFest in 2016, and now we have a second live CD/DVD/Blu-ray (yes, all 3 formats in one digipack!) capturing the band’s performance at Progstock, New Jersey in 2017.  The Blu-ray includes bonus content in the form of an audio commentary, ‘Backstage and behind the scenes’, official music videos, and onstage and poster slides.

To be honest, it seems quite an OTT package for what amounts to a Giants Of Rock style performance – i.e. a functional, but limited lightshow, and a line-up of ageing dudes who while not in need of zimmers yet, don’t exactly cartwheel around the stage.

But hey, we are talking prog – so most of the ‘action’ involves chord changes and ‘virtuoso’ style extended ‘solo’ workouts.  It’s the sort of performance you’d be quite happy to sit through on a damp Minehead afternoon, and merch store sales would no doubt be brisk.

But in terms of wider appeal, I come back to what I said about Counterpoint – and that’s while the Circuline musicianship is ‘up there’, there remains a lack of a unique selling point, and to my ears material strong enough to convert the casual listener.  ***

Review by Pete Whalley

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)

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