Circa Survive – Appendage EP
Record Label: Atlantic
Release Date: November 30, 2010
Back in April, Circa Survive released their highly anticipated follow-up to On Letting Go, Blue Sky Noise. Being their most accessible, radio friendly record, BSN was either loved or hated. As a result, fans of this previous output will be more than satisfied with an unexpected EP from the group – Appendage. Consisting mainly of BSN b-sides and one unreleased demo (“Sleep Underground”), these tracks are the last pieces of the Blue Sky.
The aforementioned demo begins with an eerie organ before Anthony Green’s haunting vocals emerge as he sings highly “listen to yourself / don’t talk back / keep your lips closed / sleep underground tonight”. Channeling the wintry Juturna, “Sleep Underground” is simply chilling. Conversely, the next cut “Stare Like You’ll Stay” is the antithesis of the opener, as it is undoubtedly the most optimistic and genuinely hopeful track Green has ever penned. Guitarists Colin Frangicetto and Brendon Ekstrom capture the buoyant mood expertly, as again their guitar work proves a highlight of Circa.
Following suit, “Everyway” is a vocal highlight, as is usual with Green; the soft drum taps of Steve Clifford are most prevalent here until the upbeat chorus builds up. “Backmask” is a loud number, structurally similar to “Fever Dreams.” The final morbid “Lazarus” is the darkest point on Appendage as Green proclaims swiftly “anything that I did way back when / it seems so long ago / might as well have all been by accident.” Hauntingly complete with pulchritude, “Lazarus” proves to be the perfect track to end this forgotten EP. A true ode to Blue Sky Noise, the b-sides of Appendage will surely not disappoint, as the entirety of the EP is commendable – even album worthy – nonetheless.
Good review. This EP was great. Kind of makes me wish they saved songs like Everyway and Stare for their next album, instead of releasing them like this, but I'm not complaining! Really enjoyed this
diggin appendage after repeated listens, they implement some slightly proggy parts in places i didn't expect, in regards to chord progression and sound and tone, despite that this is easily their most 'pop' or upbeat / hook oriented material since parts of OLG. overall good stuff, definitely a mature EP, though i greatly prefer their more experimental darker work. the end of lazarus slays though.
now that i have an external hard drive, i need to download to get this band's discography ASAP. i want to pay for it though so I have to wait till I get some money coming in too
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