Circus of the West - We'll See Ourselves Out (2017)

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Written by Scott Wigley, posted by blog admin

Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, the immensely talented quintet Circus of the West is a shot in the arm to throwback bands the world over.  It would be unfair to label Circus simply “throwback” or “retro” and be done with it as their debut record We’ll See Ourselves Out feels original, unique, and fresh.  Instead, they take elements of the 60s, 70s and early 80s, updating it with some intricately varied guitar motifs and a plethora of stylistic gearshifts that make potent use of twin keyboards. Edwin Caldie’s mountainous, melodic vocal underpinnings are the final piece taking carrying each composition over the finish line.    

In terms of stellar tuneage, there is no shortage here. The bar is set high right out of the starting gate as “Birdhand” lets rip with hurried, fill splashed drumming and a river clean bass stream that moves things fluidly beneath the rowdy guitar work. Vocalist/keyboardist/songwriter Edwin Caldie has a voice tailor made for the lead position while double-tracking harmonies and sharing duties with the rest of the band for added effect.  It’s an appealing lead-off number that only hints at the brilliance to come. 

Slowing things down for a catchy, moody mid-tempo rocker, “Some Connections” relies on acoustic shading to surround the gray areas around the electric guitar and rock steady percussion.  There’s enough groove and gravel to please the old school rock crowd while modern mainstream radio slips into the chorus and verse transitions.  Through the musicianship is outstanding, opening the record up for an increasingly harder rocking yet no less catchy jams; the first in this series “Boxes” allows a growly bass lick to weave around jaggedly melodic guitar hooks and acoustic rhythm guitar while the specter of old school 60s/70s rock haunts the ground with blues and even some punk.  A showstopper chorus that features some intensely unraveling melodies from Caldie and sublime background support yield a cut that’s easily amongst the record’s upper echelon. 

“Nothing Special” returns to quieter volumes; relishing every moment of acoustic ambience and draping it in serene piano/organ melodies and Edwin’s well-tempered lead vocals.  It’s an admirable preface to the highlight blues rock bone crunch of “Resurrection” where a churning climax riff seals the deal on a tune that could please fans of even thundering greats like Mountain and Iron Butterfly.  This tune is certainly in that kind of vein where sprawling keyboards, taut blues rhythms, whiskey-burnt vocals and dogmatic riff groove rule over everything.  A lamenting, lover’s ballad simmers instead of boils when “Valentine Eye” enters the picture, the music wrapped in embers of fragile keys, ebbing guitars and touching vocals.  Other album picks include the high wire balance of “Looking In,” the belting blues of “Finale” and the electrifying funky swing of “Asma.”  With no real missteps and only a few tunes not reaching quite their full potential, Circus of the West score big on We’ll See Ourselves Out.