ON A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT

On their third, Shadow Circus continue and expand on their brand of retro, fastly played keys times hard rock-ish riffs, influenced by traditional American music. It's more ambitious this time. Suite based on a "thinking pop culture" item now lasts not half, but a full album. Songs are on average longer and there are more symphonic synths. There's less country, but still fair amounts of groove and soul. Female back-ups, several uneasy atmospheric soundscapes plus the vocalist's tendency, when singing slow and darkly, to sound very much like Roger Waters (but better trained), adds a Pink Floydian feel to the package.

It's not just fast, un-heavy synths and guitar tinkling here. There are detours into power ballad and atmospherics. But still, guitar and keys tend to sound kind of same-y during the faster sections.