CIRCUS

I was recently in a record store in LA where I saw this record for 5 bucks and picked it up (which inspired this review). Despite the departure of vocalist Russ Ballard, Argent's "Circus" is an outstanding record. Released in 1975, the band was going through some growing pains (with the loss of the aforementioned Ballard), but nonetheless they delivered an underrated effort that deserves much more praise. Keyboardist and band leader, Rod Argent, took a much jazzier approach here with extended jams and heavy progressive instrumentation. New vocalist, John Verity, sounds great on here and I actually think his vocal style fits the band way better than Ballard's.

Opening out with the smothering mellotron and electric piano work on "Circus" (the eponymous track) gives a very promising start to the album. Immediately, you can see that all of Ballard's influence has been relinquished from the band as they burst into a Floyd-ish jam. Suddenly a piano interlude from Argent leads into the lyrics about the concept of the album. Following the strong opening track, the 9-minute "Highwire" is an absolute highlight on the album. The song is predominantly driven by mellotron and Fender Rhodes once more (however there is also an underlying piano there the whole time). The vocals on this track as smooth as silk, and so are the harmonies (which are implemented very impressively by the band). At around the 5:40 mark the song takes are dramatic high octane turn, and becomes a high intensity jam by the band which sounds amazing. The band plays a more fusion-esque style with looser chords, yet it is somehow super tight as the guitar and moog trade solos. Closing with the main theme from the beginning, the song transitions in the final song on side 1, "Clown." I really don't understand all the hate this track gets from the prog community. Opening with vibrato guitar and solemn piano, the song paints the sad memoir of a circus clown. The harmonies between the band as Argent sings "And who can doubt this painted fool who walks upon this circus stage is just a clown?" are absolutely masterful. The moog solo that closes the song is also very cool and great work from Rod Argent.

Continuing the "Circus" theme on side 2, "Trapeze" kicks off with a guitar and organ riff which is swept into an extremely proggy 7/4 time signature. Its a really interesting song without too many vocals and to be honest I really like the cowbell and bassline that carries the song. My only issue overall would be that the band wanders aimlessly through a jam on the 7/4 section for way too long. After the soloing from Argent on the Rhodes, the main riff from the beginning carries the band into a grand bridge section that sounds really awesome with heavy organ...Then the 7/4 comes back. Great idea on this track, just a bit overplayed and repetitive. Subsequently, "Shine on Sunshine," is the band doing their best Queen impression with added mellotron. The harmonies here are very reminiscent of anything off "Night at the Opera" with a jazzier feel. It's a nice little mood change, as is 1-minute Rhodes interlude "The Ring." The album closes with "The Jester" which opens with a "Pinball Wizard" feel and also a very Queen-esque chorus again. I like this one a lot better than "Shine on Sunshine" though because the keyboard melody and moog work on here is super impressive from Argent.

I think this album is over-hated by Proggers and is jampacked with infectious melodies and real sleepers. There isn't any single "weak" track on here (not including the throwaway "The Ring") and despite change in vocalists I think the band didn't really miss a step. Unlike their classic era records such as "In Deep" and "All Together Now" this LP doesn't have any of those horrible Russ Ballard boogie woogie songs which is an improvement in of itself :) Awesome record here and definitely a highly recommended one for a chill listen.