It's probably coincidental, rather than one of those pesky (whisper it) 'scenes' developing outside of the dreaded NME'S radar, but there seems to be a distinct funkiness creeping back in to rock at present: at least if recent releases by bands as geographically split as Leeds' MODELISTE, Newcastle's CALVOON and now Cardiff's CIRCUS NORMAL are concerned.
It's most obviously apparent on "Only Time Will Tell", the lead track from the self-titled debut EP from this Welsh quintet. Introduced by a snaky wah-wah riff and moderately excitable power indie-funk, this one has vocals of the imploring, David Gray-ish variety, while the song itself is competently executed along the lines of The Charlatans and/ or Primal Scream without ever really sounding distinctive.
It's arguably the best thing here, though. Second tune "Scream" has a dynamic opening with chugging guitars and over-loud subterranean bass then poking through in its' wake. The vocals are commanding enough and its' anthemically bluesy overall sound is hardly unpleasant, but once again it doesn't step outside of any rent-a-crowd you care to hire.
|
It's surely preferable to "Ride", though, which is the obligatory acoustic ballad which goes from acoustic, plangent and yearning (with a nice line in Gregorian backing vox, admittedly) through to a distant rumble of drums heralding the cavalry chrge of the electric guitars over the hill. It throws the requisite shapes, but is more than a tad too generic for my liking.
"Circus Normal" is OK, very much fair-to-middling, but it lacks the personality, verve and danger to stamp its' creators mark on the wider scheme of things. The funkiness of "Only Time Will Tell" is its' best shot, but Circus Normal need an injection of fresh ideas if they are aspiring to be the ringmaster rather than the tame performing seals.
|
