| Band
Members: |
Chris Brown - Vocals, Lead Guitar,
Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards |
Ronald Wahle - Drums, Percussion,
Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar |
| The
Review |
For all the negative press the Internet gets from time
to time, some of it well deserved, there are many instances
where it has proven to provide a wonderful link between individuals
that may never have happened otherwise. Such was the case
when Chris Brown in Tennessee connected with Ronald Wahle
of the Netherlands. The two shared a musical passion which
has resulted in the duo forming Ghost Circus and the release
of their first CD Cycles. ***
Let me start out by saying, I really like this CD. The
music is part Art-Rock, part Prog-Rock all mixed with a contemporary
pop sensibility. Think of a mixture of a band like Red 7,
some It Bites and then a whole bunch of the later period Genesis.
In fact track 3, “Trick of the Light” starts out as a dead-ringer
for the Genesis song “Mama”, although the composition seems
more of a tribute or homage than it is a copy. After a few
spins this Cycles really grows on you in good measure because
of the strong melodies that drive the songs. And it just flat-out
sounds cool up loud, especially in the car. The two members
come to the table with ample musical skills; Brown is responsible
for the vocals, lead/rhythm/bass guitar and keyboards while
Wahle takes care of drums, percussion, keyboards and additional
lead/rhythm guitar. The songs range in length anywhere from
3-4 minutes with a couple almost 8-minutes and the longest
running just over 9-minutes. While the individual tracks aren’t
overly complex musically, it’s the arrangements and selection
of textures that breathe life into these pieces. There is
more than enough going on to hold your attention, even in
the shorter pieces. That’s where my Red 7 reference comes
from. Like that band, Ghost Circus is able to craft a solid
song, give it some unique sound-textures and a pretty dense
arrangement all the while incorporating some very proggy embellishments.
I hear the later Genesis influence in the way these songs
sound so expansive. They sound huge! They really come across
as larger than life. ***
I am ever so grateful to come across gems like this.
Ghost Circus is the type of CD release that is satisfying
in so many ways. It’s one of those CD’s that just sounds great
anytime you put it on. While it’s not the most complex it’s
certainly one of the most enjoyable. Cycles is definitely
one of my favorites for 2006. It gets my utmost recommendation.
***
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