The Apparatus - Russian Circles

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Russian Circles - Station Featured

Sunday, 01 June 2008

Editor's rating

7.3

out of 10

Reviewed by:
Chris Alfano
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Monday, 02 June 2008
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Music Information

Track Listing:
01. Campaign
02. Harper Lewis
03. Station
04. Versus
05. Youngblood
06. xavii

Artist: Russian Circles
Title: Station
Genre: Alternative • Progressive Rock • Instrumental
Release Date: 06 May 2008
Record Label: Suicide Squeeze Records
Format: Full-length
Country: United States of America
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Editor review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful


Overall rating (weighted)		7.3
Musicianship		6.0
Composition		7.0
Experimentation		8.0
Production		9.0
Value		7.0

My inital exposure to Russian Circles was through their 2006 release, entitled 'Enter'. The consensus was that this Chicago-based trio had tapped into the same stream of aesthetic heaviness that characterized such prototypical luminaries as Neurosis and Pelican. Just the same, it seemed that Russian Circles had transcended mere imitation by achieving the perfect balance of beauty and bite. While the first listen was certainly engaging, subsequent forays tended to reveal esoteric layers of obscure tunefulness that pushed well beyond the scope of their contemporaries. While most debut albums exhibit a sense of derivation and raw immaturity, 'Enter' could have passed for the third or fourth record of the band's career. It just didn't sound like a fledgling post-metal outfit fighting their way through the formative years of their existence.

With 'Station', Russian Circles has mostly set aside the textured heaviness of earlier releases and chosen to focus on atmosphere and subtlety. A prime example is found in the western motif and interlocking bass/piano lines of "Campaign". It is here that these elements combine to create an atmosphere that is not far removed from Radiohead's progressive pop leanings, albeit in a manner that is more listenable than the description implies. Later tracks (e.g. "Harper Lewis" and "Youngblood") do show a familiar propensity for sonic brashness, although the band uses these songs to exhibit dimensions that were previously hidden or altogether absent from their repertoire. For instance, 'Versus' shows the band plodding along in a contented state of dissonant bliss without hitting the metallic climaxes that used to be an inseparable part of their sound. The result is still memorable for its hooks and artistry, but these qualities are expressed in ways that are considerably different from what fans are used to. What this means in the long run is anyone's guess, although the band has reportedly promised a heavier follow-up in the near future. Whether this "heavier" material is being offered to placate their alienated fan base, or as a sign that the band has come full-circle (no pun intended) remains to be seen.

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