The first that strikes you about this, Circa Survive's second album, is the excellent packaging The CD comes supplied in a cardboard slipcase, always a nice touch, and then there's the booklet inside. Cut into ever degreasing circles which, on turning each page, sees the artwork gets less and less colourful. A clever effect no doubt and that's a statement that also sums up much of the music you'll find when you get round to playing the CD.

Most guitar based albums review on HardRockHouse usually feature songs that are riff based and normally these songs use the repetitive nature of the riff as hook to draw listeners in. Circa Survive on the other hand are little bit different. In fact make that a lot different . I’ve often heard the term art rock and never really understood, or agreed, with the term when applied to music, however for Circa Survive one can fully justify the use of the tag as the guitars are used to paint a sonic soundscape, illustrating a pictures in your head as the songs unfold. Coupled with clever and inventive lyrics it all goes to make On Letting Go the rarest of things, a unique album.

Actually in trying to come up with comparisons for the band in order to give you, the reader, an inkling of where Circa Survive are coming from I've totally failed - well at least in finding any direct comparisons. The best that I can come up with is a mixture of early U2, where the guitar work is concerned, some post-emo sounds and a touch of experimental progressive rock. And that doesn't come anyway close to describing the music contained on herein. On Letting Go is an album that is intriguing on first listen but as one plays the disc again and again (and believe me you will) it unveils more and more of itself, each spin revealing new elements to the sound and texture Circa Survive have created.

The band are heading to the UK to take part in the 2008 Kerrang! tour alongside Coheed And Cambria, Fightstar and Madina Lake. On the evidence of this album if Circa Survive are half as good live then they will winning new fans on each and every date and the other bands will have a hard job following them. Thinking person’s rock - Could be!!

Let us know your views on On Letting Go

Track Listing

Living Together
In The Morning And Amazing
The Greatest Lie
The Difference Between Medicine And Poison Is In The Dose
Mandala
Travel Hymn
Semi Constructive Criticism
Kicking Your Crosses Down
On Letting Go
Carry Us Away
Close Your Eyes To See
Your Friends Are Gone

Line Up

Anthony Green
Colin Frangicetto
Brendan Ekstrom
Nick Beard
Steve Clifford