Rushfan4's New CD Thread 8 - Shadow Circus

I just finished up listening to Welcome to the Freakroom, and I am following it up with a second listen.  I really enjoyed this album when I first got it, and I am really enjoying listening to it again right now.  But, in my opinion, as good as this first album is, Whispers and Screams is a step above and a step in the right direction to my ears.  Either way, good stuff.

progmetalhead wrote: John,   I read a few reviews the other day, one of which criticised the track order, especially the final track being Then in July.   I don't go along with this but would like to hear your thoughts as to how you came to selecting the final order.

Oh, I could go on about this! But I'll try to tell it as succinctly as I can...

When Dave presented the song "Angel", one of the things he insisted on was that it end with the sound of rain. As I was writing "Then in July", there was literally a thunder storm outside as I was playing back the timpani part (which Corey played on toms later) - anyway, when I heard the sound of thunder with the percussion, it occurred to me to blend it form the end of "Angel", so those pieces became linked.

I haven't heard anyone mention this yet, so I'm not sure if it's obvious - but Then in July is actually a musical reprise of Willoughby - it's the same chord progression as the Willoughby verses, and also briefly reprises the middle choir part...I had somewhat intended Willoughby and Then in July to book-end "side two" in this way...BTW, every song on "side two" is a story about regret - When Morning Comes is about love lost, Willoughby about a man regretting his life,  Angel is about a father who regrets abusing his daughter, and since Then in July is a Bolero (the Spanish dance always told the story of two lovers that ultimately ends tragically), that makes up the theme of "side two"...

Many are confused at the way Then In July ends - it just dies out sort of suddenly, but not in any big, glorious way. I wanted it to end the way a life would really end in that old Bolero's story - as C.S. Lewis once said, "not with a bang, but a whimper"...

Well, just put the album on... The opening track is killer, with some fantastic, Purple-hued organ work. Really an album that redefines Symphonic Prog in modern terms. I will take particular care with my review, because I believe this is an effort that deserves a lot more exposure. 

I will try to write a review for PA too, since John was so nice as to send me the album. However, I have become much slower in writing reviews, and lately it takes me forever to produce something I will be happy with. 

rushfan4 wrote: There are only so many words that can be used to describe albums before you start repeating yourself.  Kind of like trying to be a musician and stay original.

That's all too true, and then I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist. I want to do the album justice, anyway, and will try my best to do so.

My copy just arrived in the mail - I'm going to go listen to it for the first time, and will return with thoughts once I am done!

First impressions - I like this album. High points for me were Parts 5 and 6 of the big epic, and the last track. I definitely was digging the drummer, he does some things that sound really great. Not to disparage the rest of the band, I just notice drumming as a separate entity first. 

Listening to it for the third time right now. The Horsemen Ride is definitely sticking up there as one of my top tracks on the album. It's one of those songs where all the elements are combining in a way that actually works rather well on me, I'm getting very into it. Kind of has a country flair to it in my ears, but it works really well. Willoughby is also growing on me.

TheGazzardian wrote: Listening to it for the third time right now. The Horsemen Ride is definitely sticking up there as one of my top tracks on the album. It's one of those songs where all the elements are combining in a way that actually works rather well on me, I'm getting very into it. Kind of has a country flair to it in my ears, but it works really well. Willoughby is also growing on me. Without jumping the gun too fast, any word on what the album for next month is going to be? I should probably order a copy soon if I want to be able to join in the discussions. :D

If you get a chance check out the link that JPlanet provided above to the Willoughby video.  At least for me, it really enhanced my view of the song since it really worked well in my opinion.

rushfan4 wrote: If you get a chance check out the link that JPlanet provided above to the Willoughby video.  At least for me, it really enhanced my view of the song since it really worked well in my opinion.