C.O.R.E

It has been way too long since we last heard from Circuline, with 'Counterpoint' being released eight years ago, and the live 'Circulive: New View' coming out in 2020, but finally they are back with a new album. I am not sure why it has taken so long, but I know Andrew Colyer has been very active with both Robert Berry and The Tubes, and then on top of that we have had some line-up changes. The core of the band since 2014, Andrew (keyboards, lead & backing vocals), Darin Brannon (drums & percussion, keyboards) and Natalie Brown (lead & backing vocals) have now been joined by bassist Shelby Logan Warne (Kyros) and multi-instrumentalist Dave Bainbridge (The Strawbs, Iona, Lifesigns) who this time around provides guitars and additional keyboards. Ex-member William "Billy" Spillane provides backing vocals, while Joe Deninzon (Kansas, Stratospheerius) plays violin on one song.

The band describe their music as "modern cinematic rock" and if by that they mean they provide classic symphonic prog with modern twists then they have nailed it on the head. Harmony vocals are a key element of what they are doing, and there are times when they come across as being heavily influenced by Yes, but Dave has a very different approach to the guitar than Steve Howe, and this combined with the less bombastic and more delicate keyboard playing from Andrew, and some lovely fretless bass from Shelby (who often stays far more in the background than one may imagine) means they very much have their own identity. I have been listening to Dave for more than 30 years, and he is one of those musicians who provides additional quality to any band he is playing with, and given I was already a fan of Circuline prior to hearing this I was smiling before this even hit the player. This is only their third studio album, and I certainly hope it is not as long to the next one as yet again Circuline have produced an album that lovers of Seventies prog will get a great deal from with luscious music and vocals throughout.

Why is the album called "C.O.R.E."? The 2014 trio has been enriched for the new album by Dave BAINBRIDGE (IONA, LIFESIGNS & many more) & Shelby Logan WARNE (KYROS), no less, progressive heavyweights in different registers.

I might as well tell you right away, I enjoyed the opening track "Tempus Horribilis" (9/10) the split vocals, the choirs, it's damn well done in the genre, guitars and keyboards as accompaniment rather than soloists. My favorite track in fourth position "All" (10/10) with a monstrous introduction by Shelby Logan WARNE on bass guitar, modern progressive where all the instruments lead a frantic saraband, a big bravo for this one.

The very good "You" and its superb instrumental start, a bit rootsy, Natalie BROWN's singing chanted more than really sung, energizing and catchy at the same time (8/10) and Dave BAINBRIDGE at the top of his guitar art. The penultimate track "Blindside", the only one sung by Andrew COLYER, very good by the way is a mid tempo quite west coast that could come out of an album by the EAGLES, POCO or the DOOBIE BROTHERS (9/10), Dave's guitar really lighting it up from 3:22.

"Third Rail" the shortest track, sounds like a supercharged RENAISSANCE (7/10) good piece, but below on the whole album, even if Alek DARSON (guest) sets it on fire at 2:52. "Say Their Name" begins with delicacy, piano, acoustic guitar and calm voice of Natalie BROWN before taking off for more energetic from the middle of the track propelled by the drums of Darin BRANNON under the fire of the six strings of Dave BAINBRIDGE (8/10). I found the fifth track "Temporal Thing" a little messy, listenable without more (7/10), more rock than really progressive, even if the final part is more melodic.

The last word for the last title "Transmission Error" which peaks at nine minutes twenty-two, mid tempo again but totally progressive in its unfolding with a distinguished guest on violins (acoustic and electric) Joe DENINZON who joined a few months ago the legendary American combo of TOPEKA, I named obviously KANSAS, a (9/10) well deserved, a very little sung piece, barely two minutes in its entirety, which requires many listens to be fully tamed, the passage at 7:33 takes us directly to "Song for America", no less.

Take your time with CIRCULINE, a record that requires patience to be fully appreciated.

I was fortunate to see Circuline perform at Progstock 2024 and quickly grab a copy of C.O.R.E. (Circuline Original Reimagined Evolving). They truly are evolving and surrounding themselves with virtuoso musicians adding the likes of Dave Bainbridge, Shelby Logan, and guests Joe Deninzon, Billy Spillane, and Alek Darson, not to mention the Matt Dorsey presence with co-writing credits and filling in for Shelby Logan during the live set as she had to prepare for her own live set with Kyros. Also note, Michael Gauvreau stepped into the Progstock live show with some stunning vocals, aux-percussion, and harmonies with Natalie Brown. We also can't forget the un-sung hero of the mixing desk, Robert Berry at Soundtek for his final tweaks and knob turns creating this stellar sonic release and aural perfection. I have the other Circuline releases and I like many bits and parts of those, but this release is solid from start to finish. Andrew Colyer on keyboards, lead & backing vocals, is a virtuoso on keys, but his lead vocals on "Blindside" is crazy good. Darin Brannon on drums & percussion, keyboards, continues to lay down a solid path, whether straight forward or multi time signature prog goodness. "Say Their Name" has an unexpected drum break, reminiscent of a marching band feature, but not over the top, just listen to the outstanding snare work driving even the subtle sections. I like a female lead vocal, Natalie Brown fills that role, operatic at times, her lead/backing vocals and soaring glissandos (for lack of a better word) are perfect and definitely well crafted but not over-used. Dave Bainbridge guitar and solos, and Shelby Logan's bass pulse stand out and bind everything together, just give "All" and "Transmission Error" a few listens, the latter a perfect Prog-jam, the epic 9:21 final cut. I think this is the best release in the Circuline catalog and I hope they keep this "evolving" lineup together. This is an "excellent addition to any prog rock music collection" even leaning toward that "essential" moniker with every subsequent listen, a solid 4.5 in my prog-collection.