As Tall As Lions - The Circles [EP]

Trussed Recordings

November 28, 2009, 10:29 PM

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by Gillianxoxo [More from this Author]

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"The Circles" is the new EP from As Tall As Lions. "The Circles" is teeming with textured vocals and a progressive sound that could only be from a band such as As Tall As Lions.

The opening and title track, 'Circles' is artfully crafted with haunting and ghostly vocals. The layer upon layer vocals are unyielding through all four songs. The songs just flow perfectly one after each other. The intricate harmonies involve all the band members, a trait unique to As Tall As Lions. "The Circles" is a moody EP. Each song has a different and distinct feel to it and has a completely different mood than of the songs before yet they all reatin a similar "sound."

The progressive sound is similar to that of Circa Survive or The Sound Of Animals Fighting especially in 'You Can't Take It With You.' As Tall as Lions experiment with other instruments on this EP aside from the "core instruments" like guitars and drums. As Tall as Lions made it a point to use different instruments such as the glockenspiel and synthesizers and each instrument plays a vital role in each song and has its own nook in the song. However, sometimes the instruments mush together, like in some parts of 'Circles' and 'Ghost of York.' The quiet end track 'I Could Die Here,' is a fitting finale to The Circles.

The entire EP is loaded with insightful lyrics that deal with the modern world. The experimentation adds to the EP, but at some points gets to be too much. In brief moments of 'Circles' and 'Ghost of York' it tends to be a bit choppy, but is soon resolved with the deep bass and memorable vocals and harmonies of Dan Nigro and the rest of the band.

"The Circles" takes more than one listen to appreciate it fully, not even two or three will do - let's call it a grower if you will. Each listen through you can hear new things that you never noticed before. On the first time round, it sounds a little weird and not that great, but after a few more listens you start to fully appreciate the effort and sounds of "The Circles."