Circa Survive - On Letting Go

Anthony Green's voice is gorgeous. Green has the type of voice that will just make you want to sing along or let it carry you to sleep. It's soft in a strong way, and occasionally blends in with the music. It's what makes Circa Survive's second full-length On Letting Go truly memorable.

The album was produced by Brian McTernan, who also produced the band's 2005 Juturna. It debuted at number 24 on Billboard 200, selling about 24,000 copies in its first week.

The opening track, Living Together, is the perfect intro song. The chorus is heavy, and Colin Frangicetto's guitar leads are executed beautifully. The lyrics are chilling and enigmatic, just like they are throughout the album. Travel Hymn and In The Morning And Amazing, along with The Greatest Lie and Semi Constructive Criticism show the band's strong points, delivering influential songs that both haunt and enlighten. And then there's The Difference Between Medicine And Poison Is In The Dose.

This song is the best one of the record. Green's vocals tower all the way through and deliver unnerving, striking lyrics such as "We don't talk about it / Write it down but don't ask for help / I can't be honest with even myself / Did you ever wish you were somebody else?".

Of course, there are still a few songs that make the band falter a bit. In Mandala, Green's repetition of the phrase "Let the people be free" strikes as odd, and in Kicking Your Crosses they experiment with new rhythms that come out as unflattering. But these minor errors are ignored easily.

Circa Survive have created an original sound, and this record will not be easily forgotten. It's amazing.

"While we are becoming a society afflicted with ADD, it is refreshing to see bands like Circa Survive that continue to give us music that hooks us early, but still values the prospect of rewarding us each time we come back. On Letting Go might not be the game-changer that Juturna was, but it is still an inviting exhibition by one of the scene’s most talented bands honing its skill sets." - Absolutepunk.net.