Circu5  – Steve Tilling (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

None other than Stephen Hawking once pointed out that for every equation he put in his books destined for the populist market, the potential audience was immediately cut in half. I fear that the word Progressive has the same effect on a rock music buying audience. But if the word conjures thoughts of keyboard playing wizards writing musicals about the formation of the League of Nation to be performed on roller skates, then CIRCU5 is just what you need to set the record straight.

It is an album with a progressive head but an alt-rock heart, more often found
in similar sonic territory to the likes of Foo Fighters and QOTSA, and whilst
the album does follow a narrative, it is less a concept album than an album of
concepts, ones which explore nurture vs. nature, dysfunction and relationships
in a poetic and literate way.

Multi-Instrumentalist Steve has spent five years putting this album together
with the help of a number of recognisable names such as Phil Spalding, Dave
Gregory, Johnny Warman and more and the result is a cerebral take on rock
music. One which plays both to the rock ‘n’ roll gallery love of the genres
basic, visceral and powerful requirements but also gratifyingly delivers
something new, intriguing and challenging from its lyrical depths and musical
textures with every play. Rock music with a PhD in psychology? Why not?