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8 out of 10
Whilst Russian Circles' debut album "Enter" in 2006 was fantastic (I even gave it a whopping 9/10) and certainly kick started their career and put them amongst the luminaries such as Isis, Pelican and Mogwai it wasn't what you would deem a classic like many would argue "Young Team" by Mogwai is or "The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw" by Pelican might be, it did set them up on an extremely solid instrumental-post-rock-metal base and almost certainly built up expectations for this their newest album and first as a two-piece (With bass duties being handled by Brian Cook of These Arms Are Snakes and Morgan Henderson of The Blood Brothers on record). Ladies and gentleman let me introduce you to "Station". Mike Sullivan and Dave Turncrantz certainly know how to riff and "Station" is no exception, the songs are concise and never out-stay their welcome unlike many other instrumental bands out there who feel that every song of that ilk must be at least 15-20 minutes long. "Harper Lewis" is a particular favourite of mine, crashing in at 7:16 long the bass seems to pulsate in the middle ground, with the tones of the guitar sounding absolutely awesome and the drums just holding it altogether and helping create some smashing build-ups and rocking sections. My only real qualm with "Station" is that on opening track "Campaign" it takes about a minute to get away from the quiet noises and really kick in, and whilst I appreciate the effort and effect of a good solid build-up I just though as an opener they could have easily left 1 minute of material on the cutting room floor and just got going! The chugging riffing on "Youngblood" is a good example of a band that shouldn't be pigeon-holed as a Sigur Ros/Mogwai wannabe act as they have some real balls, and by that token can't be shelved as an instrumental-Isis either as they have some really sincere soft elegant sections too. This album is nothing but solid from start to finish and anyone who's a fan of Isis, Pelican, Red Sparowes, Mogwai, Bossk, God Speed! You Black Emperor, Explosions In The Sky et al should really give Russian Circles a whirl as they could be one of your new favourite bands if you let them. Listen: www.myspace.com/russiancircles
Tracklist:
1. Campaign 2. Harper Lewis 3. Station 4. Verses 5. Youngblood 6. Xavii
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