Rise Above

Rise Above

Track Listings

1. Facing Fears (and Playin' by the Rules)
2. Eyes of Faith
3. Rise Above
4. Set Me Free
5. A Whisper is Enough
6. Victory
7. Stand
8. You Were There
9. I Sing Your Praise

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Valerie Joi’s song delivery is as fluid and focused as her life. She is a music minister extraordinaire and her message of unconditional love and acceptance is clear, strong and uncompromising. Listening to her sing or play is an artistic and healing journey in itself.

Valerie Joi is not just another singer, not just another piano player. First and foremost, she is a music minister with the intent to bless and be blessed. She loves sharing her enthusiasm and teaching others how to minister through song. Through her soulful directing and consummate command of the stage, she uplifts her audiences and inspires them to experience their own sense of connection with the Divine.

Product Description
A sweet, soulful, spiritual journey of healing and transformation through the rhythms of jazz, gospel and R&B.

Rise Above,Valerie Joi,Silverado Records,Gospel,Pop


Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Good Music For A Bad Cause
  • Great Songs, Great Cause!
  • Truth or complacency? The choice is yours.
  • English as a second language for Americans
  • a testament to the surviving power of music
Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Broken Summers
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ASIN: B00006JBKR
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

  1. Rise Above - Chuck D & Henry Rollins
  2. Nervous Breakdown - Keith Morris
  3. Fix Me - Iggy Pop
  4. American Waste - Neil Fallon of Clutch
  5. I've Had it - Cedric Bixler Zavala of The Mars Volta
  6. I've Heard It Before - Jeff Moreira of Poison the Well
  7. Room 13 - Corey Taylor of Slipknot
  8. Wasted - Exene Cervenka
  9. Jealous Again - Nick Oliveri of Queens of the Stone Age
  10. TV Party - Henry Rollins
  11. No Values - Hank III
  12. Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie - Dean Ween
  13. Depression - Casey Chaos of Amen
  14. Six Pack - Mike Patton
  15. Police Story - Ice T
  16. Revenge - Tom Araya of Slayer
  17. Thirsty & Miserable - Lemmy
  18. What I See - Chuck Dukowski
  19. No More - Tim Armstrong & Lars Frederiksen
  20. Black Coffee - Henry Rollins
  21. Slip It In - Henry Rollins & Inger Lorre
  22. Annihilate This Week - Henry Rollins, Kira Roessler
  23. My War - Henry Rollins
  24. Nervous Breakdown - Ryan Adams (Bonus Track)

Amazon.com

Holy countercultural confluence! For the cause of fundraising for the defense of a trio of legally bound Arkansas headbangers--one of whom is currently on death row on the basis of hearsay testimony--Henry Rollins has resurrected the sacrosanct songs of his legendary former Los Angeles hardcore band Black Flag. Much as he first joined the popular Flag by jumping on stage and grabbing the microphone, Rollins here assigns lead vocals to a bewildering array of guests, including Iggy Pop, Dean Ween, Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Tom Araya of Slayer, Queens of the Stone Age, and Ice T. The Rollins Band convincingly serves as caustic backing band throughout. Protest music godfather Chuck D. of Public Enemy appears as well, though simply to introduce the album. Many of the singers, whether inspired by the cause itself or the muscular caliber of Black Flag's music, deliver the rebellious message with heartfelt intensity. Motorhead leader Lemmy's ripping version of "Thirsty and Miserable" is a stunning highlight, as is Hank Williams III's psychotic "No Values." Former Flag singers Keith Morris and Chuck Dukowski bring their veteran intensity, and Rollins himself shouts "My War," "TV Party," "Black Coffee," "Annihilate This Week," "Slip It In," and the title track. (Flag guitarist-lyricist Greg Ginn is notably absent, though his trademark clear Lucite guitar joins the West Memphis Three defendants on the cover artwork.) The participating musicians' anger and frustration over the West Memphis Three case, which has been detailed in HBO's Paradise Lost documentaries, is well matched with the giant fury of this band. --Ian Christe

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good Music For A Bad Cause.......2007-03-07

Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three is a case of good music being used to support a bad cause. The music, contributed by the likes of Henry Rollins and other leading musicians is pretty good on the whole. However, there is quite a bit of pro-West Memphis 3 stuff on this CD and all of the profits from sales of this CD goes to help legal efforts on behalf of the WM 3.

This would be a good thing if there was good reason to believe that the WM 3 really were framed for a crime that they commit. Problem is the pro-WM 3 material on this CD contains many factual errors and fails to make a persuasive case to believe in the innocence of the WM 3.

If you want to listen to this good music, then the thing to do is to look for it at your local public library, secondhand music shop or borrow it from a friend. Don't let your good money go to support a bad cause like the West Memphis 3.

5 out of 5 stars Great Songs, Great Cause!.......2007-02-16

Black Flags is undeniably one of the greatest punk bands ever and it is great to hear artists sush as Hank Williams III pay tribute to this great band. Plus it gives attention to a great injustice. Help support the West Memphis 3!

5 out of 5 stars Truth or complacency? The choice is yours........2005-01-23

Those who will enjoy this disc are people who have both an understanding of great music and a respect for the law. Those who do not care about either probably will not care for this. Certainly this is for fans of Black Flag, Henry Rollins, and all the artists compiled here. (Ryan Adams contributes a great version of "Nervous Breakdown" and Hank III does "No Values," which is simply incredible.)

This is not for fans of ignorance or complacency in any of its forms. Certainly NOT for fans who think Henry Rollins is just trying to "free convicted murderers." And certainly NOT for fans who think that people who read Stephen King books are all Satanic killers.

Watch the "Paradise Lost" HBO documentaries, read "Devil's Knot" and "Blood of Innocents" and form educated opinions. Don't impugn Rollins or any of these musicians for having higher standards for OUR legal system and wanting to make sure we have the truth. When three people are convicted on hearsay and circumstantial evidence and one is sentenced to death, you can expect people from all over the country to take notice and want to get involved, because some of us still believe in justice and the separation of church and state. Anything less is un-American.

This is Henry Rollins' attempt to raise money for the truth, whatever it may be. Rollins told one victim's family as much. If the WM3 are proven guilty, at least we will have more to rely on than hearsay and Satanic Panic (you know, like actual, concrete evidence, which has been absent from this case since the start). The phrase "innocent until proven guilty" simply does not apply to this case. The prosecution proved nothing, except that West Memphis, Arkansas is a place free-thinking people probably shouldn't visit. Pardon the rest of America for thinking Metallica CDs aren't quite enough to prove someone is a murderer.

This is a great effort on the part of all the musicians involved, and it proves that ignorance still has opposition in America.

5 out of 5 stars English as a second language for Americans.......2004-05-31

(...) The WM3 were convicted of the crimes. This is true. They were convicted based on hearsay and circumstantial evidence, not to mention a healthy dose of christian (ugh) fundamentalism. The truth is out there, but the ignorant sit in their churches and ignore it because it is easier to do.

This a compact disc full of MUSIC, however, and that is the real point here. You can't get much better than this with Henry Rollins being joined by Black Flag alums like Chuck Dukowski and Keith Morris, as well as Hank Williams III (the best REAL country musician working today), Lemmy from Motorhead, Exene from X, Ryan Adams, Tom from Slayer, Nick from Mondo Generator, and plenty more. The music is all provided by Mother Superior, a terriffic caustic rock trio with plenty of CDs of their own out there. They are best known as the Rollins Band, mach II, of course. They became his backing band a few years ago, although this is no longer the case. Henry is set to reveal a new band soon. They tear it up here, and the guitar sound is nearly perfect since the Dan Armstrong guitar donated to the cause was used for the recording, getting close to that classic Greg Ginn sound.

Black Flag are one of the ten most important bands in the history of music, and these songs should not be missed. Check this disc out, then check out some of the original releases for a real lesson in rock and roll.

And check out the Paradise Lost films for a lesson in how easily the US court system can break down when it is allowed to be placed in the hands of ignorant rednecks who don't understand that church and state are required BY LAW to remain separate and distinct.

If the victims in this case were my family, I would want the real killer or killers to be found. I would not want to find the nearest scapegoat and ruin that person (or in this case persons) life. Punishing scapegoats is what the nazis did, isn't it?

5 out of 5 stars a testament to the surviving power of music.......2003-12-24

I had never heard of the west memphis three case until this benifit CD came out. It wasn't until recently that I bought the CD, and ever since I've purchased it, I've been blown away by the intensity and quality. I think it's a testament to the still surviving power of music, and especially Black Flag style punk rock that so much talent has come together for such a controversial but noble cause. If you're a Black Flag, Rollins Band, Henry Rollins, etc., fan, buy this CD. If you're not a rock fan, at least check out the case, or at least how it's laid out by the CD insert. Without voices like Rollins, there will never be hope for justice in America.
Planetfall
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Planetfall
    Litmus
    Manufacturer: Rise Above
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B000O75YGY
    Release Date: 2007-05-07

    Tracks:

    1. Destroy The Mothership
    2. Tempest
    3. Lost Stations
    4. Under The Sign
    5. Planetfal
    6. Psychic Projection
    7. Singularity
    8. Helios
    9. Expanding Universe
    10. Machine Age
    11. Far Beyond
    12. Planetfall / Seti

    Album Description

    Litmus, renegade agents of bludgeoning space rock, charging down from the giant behemoth of ugly rock n' roll gone warped & insane with too much Kool-Aid & bad acid. 'Planetfall' bursts from the speakers as if erupting from a gigantic supernova, heavy space rock the likes of which all burned out cosmonauts have only been dreaming of in delirious acid-fried visions for decades. When Litmus roars through the speakers like a psychic storm you know they really DO mean business. For fans of Hawkwind, Deep Purple, Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd & Gong.
    Dopethrone
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • This album will crush your skull!
    Dopethrone
    Electric Wizard
    Manufacturer: Rise Above
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    Alternative MetalAlternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B000FBHC7S
    Release Date: 2006-06-12

    Tracks:

    1. Vinum Sabbathi
    2. Funeralopolis
    3. Weird Tales: i: Electric Frost ii:Golgotha iii:Altar of Melektaus
    4. Barbarian
    5. I, the Witchfinder
    6. Hills Have Eyes
    7. We Hate You
    8. Dopethrone
    9. Mind Transferral [*]

    Album Description

    Considered by many to literally be The Heaviest Band In The World, Electric Wizard is more like a cult than a band. The Wizard conjure up visions of Alistair Crowley having a black trip with HP Lovecraft, whilst gazing at the most far out biker flicks ever created. This, combined with the crustiest gravity defying Doom riffs and drones, Electric Wizard have one mission: To Destroy! Plastic Head.

    Album Details

    Considered by Many to Literally Be "The Heaviest Band in the World", Electric Wizard is More Like a Cult Than a Band. The Wizard Conjure Up Visions of Alistair Crowley Having a Black Trip with Hp Lovecraft, Whilst Gazing at the Most Far Out Biker Flicks Ever Created. This, Combined with the Crustiest Gravity Defying Doom Riffs and Drones, Electric Wizard have One Mission: To Destroy!

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars This album will crush your skull!.......2007-05-09

    If you dig heavy music, this is a must have for your collection. This is low end doom heavy, like Sabbath on acid x 10. This is a really, really great listen, super psychadelic and trippy, crazy, creepy, heavy doom riffs from some planet light years away were the creatures evolved from shroom spores and spiked leather collars.

    And to top it off, this cacophony of doomcore is a power trio of burnouts from England.

    Top notch, if you dig the heavy, cop this album immediately if not sooner.

    Also, import seems to have an extra track at the end, bonus!
    Rise Above
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Oysters gleam again
    • Is your love worth fighting for?
    Rise Above
    Oysterband
    Manufacturer: Omnium
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    British FolkBritish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B00008Z46F
    Release Date: 2003-04-22

    Tracks:

    1. The Soul's Electric
    2. Uncommercial Song
    3. If You Can't Be Good
    4. Everybody's Leaving Home
    5. My Mouth
    6. Shouting About Jerusalem
    7. Blackwaterside
    8. Rise Above
    9. Wayfaring
    10. Bright Morning Star

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Oysters gleam again.......2005-04-01

    Oysterband is one of the most satisfyingly unique-sounding bands in the world, especially if you have any Irish/Celtic leaning in your music preferences. The song writing, drumming, guitar work, and especially the vocals are just outstanding. Oysterband music can range from full-out kickass rock 'n roll, to extremely beautiful, romantic, sometimes political, traditional Irish. This CD is not one of their edgier productions, but has some beautiful sound: plucked strings, great four-part vocal harmony, great guitar. Simply outstanding.

    Older Oysterband CDs exhibit more Celtic/Irish sound and harmony, except for Shouting Side of Life, which is very raucous. They are all great, and I couldn't recommend them more stongly.

    5 out of 5 stars Is your love worth fighting for?.......2003-06-16

    It's been over 3 years since the last Oysterband record, the fantastic HERE I STAND, and I was apprehensive -- that 1999 album was so good, how could the next be anything but a step down? As it turns out, the Oysters have created their finest work yet, full of fierce heart and powerful music, what is almost certain to be the best vocal album of 2003!

    Joe Strummer died tragically young, Peter Garrett has retired from Midnight Oil, the Mekons have moved since RETREAT FROM MEMPHIS to a resigned low-level style of resistance, but the Oysterband has gathered its collective energy and holds the banner high -- the global justice movement is in the streets and the fight continues into the new millennium! Whether you are a veteran of the 1980s movements against Reagan and Thatcher (like the Oysters and me), or younger, perhaps just now joining the struggle against the WTO, or global warming, or Bush and Blair's preventive war doctrine, this is music to give you heart. The struggle is old, full of many victories and defeats, but it is not over -- there IS an alternative to global capital!

    The Oysterband's music contains not a shred of postmodern irony -- it overbrims with sincerity, it is music straight from the soul. It is an ongoing manifesto against commodification, alienation and the dessication of the spirit. It makes you feel more alive, and the only thing better is to act on the inspiration, find some comrades and transform your ideals into action!
    The World Is Bound By Secret Knots
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Original, Unusual, and Beautiful
    • gorgeous
    • Atmospheric and Beautiful
    The World Is Bound By Secret Knots
    Noe Venable
    Manufacturer: Petridish
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B0000CBIP8
    Release Date: 2003-08-24

    Tracks:

    1. riverWide
    2. juniper
    3. tower
    4. Black Madonna
    5. garden
    6. is the spirit here?
    7. midsummer night's dream
    8. feral
    9. simple song
    10. wings again
    11. lilies
    12. doll comes to life
    13. in the dark

    Album Description

    produced by Todd Sickafoose "The World is Bound by Secret Knots is the latest exploration by San Francisco based singer songwriter Noe Venable and released on her own label, Petridish Records. Made over the course of a number of months, the CD was forged in the project studio of producer and bass player Todd Sickafoose.

    Sonically, Secret Knots finds Noe and her Trio (Alan Lin on violin, Todd Sickafoose on bass) continuing to push boundaries, both sonically and in the arrangement of the songs, with a much stronger emphasis on rhythm than any of Noe's previous albums. Added to the mix are drummer/percussionist Dan Morris (Rufus Wainwright, Smashing Pumpkins), playing a plethora of percussion instruments from all over the world, and guitarist Nels Cline (Geraldine Fibbers, Nels Cline Singers)

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Original, Unusual, and Beautiful .......2006-09-15

    Move over Regina Spektor and Sarah Slean. You've got nothing on Noe.

    Noe Venable's voice is almost childlike in an angelic sort of way, but she's able to reach all the necessary high and low notes to move and sway your emotions.
    Her lyrics are alluring, and each and every one of her songs stands out in one way or another.

    5 out of 5 stars gorgeous.......2005-03-16

    This is a fantastic cd. The first cd to hit me this hard in over a year. Love it.

    5 out of 5 stars Atmospheric and Beautiful.......2004-03-08

    Noe Venable is back with her soft haunting (yet powerful and emotional) voice. The music is a tad more complex this time out (as compared to "Boots") but it still very much in the same vein.
    I could pick out my favorite songs, but I'd end up naming them all eventually. But "Black Madonna" really sticks out to me as does "Is the Spirit Here?". In both songs she does this great spoken, almost yelling thing that it at once alarming and cool.
    "Feral" also has some great spoken stuff.
    "Wings Again" reminds me so much of Sarah Slean it's eerie. It's a more melodic song that the others on here. The piano shows up a lot more here.
    This is a fantastic CD, go get it NOW!
    (read full review at collectedsounds.com)
    Ruder Forms Survive
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • 00000000000.1% Hope
    Ruder Forms Survive
    The Capricorns
    Manufacturer: Rise Above
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B000BRP7BE
    Release Date: 2005-11-21

    Tracks:

    1. 1977: Blood for Papa
    2. 1969: A Predator Among Us
    3. : The First Broken Promise
    4. 1440: Exit Wargasmatron
    5. 1066: Born on the Bayeux
    6. 1946: The Last Renaissance Man
    7. 793AD: The Harrying of the Heathen
    8. 793AD: The Harrying of the Heathen

    Album Description

    Recorded in a former GDR radio broadcast centre in Berlin, `Ruder Forms Survive' sees Capricorns up the sonic ante whilst still maintaining a deep love for the purity and tradition of The Riff. 2005.

    Album Details

    Recorded in a Former Gdr Radio Broadcast Centre in Berlin, 'ruder Forms Survive' Sees Capricorns Up the Sonic Ante While Still Maintaining a Deep Love for the Purity and Tradition of the Riff. A Refreshing Departure from the Po-faced, Go Nowhere Excesses of their Instru-metal Contemporary's Capricorns have Somehow Succeeded in Combining the Armageddon Punk Attitude of Amebix with a Doomed Out, Ummagumma Era Pink Floyd Propelled by Deepest Swing this Side of John Bonham. The Icing on this Blackened Cake is the "First Broken Promise", a Unique Collaboration with Oxbow Singer and Raconteur Eugene Robinson .

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars 00000000000.1% Hope .......2006-03-29

    Ruder Forms Survive its the second deliver from this Cathedrals Lee Dorrian discovering, signed to Rise Above label (runned by Dorrian by the way) Capricorns perform track by track almost quite instrumental cuts full of obscure sound references and rithms are rich in string mixture variations, actually the cut "First broken promisse" is the only track that offers vocals wich are full of anxiety, neurosis and sorrow in the best Crowbar tradition to mention an example, Ruder Forms Survive is a very carefully structured album in order to obtain the effect that is searched and they achieve it sucessfully, recorded and mixed in Berlin this album mark the path of a new tendence that a few bands yet are following in the field of progresive/dark metal such as Pelican, something good could be in its early days beginning, lets wait and see
    HM
    Rise Above
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • AWESOME RECORD
    • Up Sounds from the Down-and-Out
    • Rest In Peace, Epic
    • Beautiful, mellow, piano-driven pop in a 70's style.
    Rise Above
    Epic Soundtracks
    Manufacturer: Bar/None Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B0000048D9
    Release Date: 1994-04-13

    Tracks:

    1. Fallen Down
    2. Farmer's Daughter
    3. Ruthless
    4. Everybody Else Is Wrong
    5. I Feel Good
    6. Big Apple Graveyard
    7. I Don't Know
    8. Meet Me On The Beach
    9. Sad Song
    10. She Sleeps Alone/Love Fucks You Up
    11. Wild Situation
    12. She Sleeps Alone

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars AWESOME RECORD.......2003-06-25

    I love this record, it's one of the best ever made.
    Sadly, also one of the least well known.
    Mostly vocal piano and light guitar rock, pretty romantic (or sappy depending on yr point of view) at parts.
    Heavily influenced by Big Star and Brian Wilson.
    Nick Cave fans might also enjoy this.
    Pick it up and discover a lost masterpiece !
    PS Also check out his 2nd album "Sleeping Star" which is just as good.

    4 out of 5 stars Up Sounds from the Down-and-Out.......2000-01-20

    Though Sleeping Star features his highest point with "Emily May (You Make Me Feel So Fine)", Rise Above is the strongest of Epic Soundtracks' dark-night trio of platters. Known mainly for his drumming in the most abrasive of underground acts like Swell Maps and Crime and the City Solution, Epic startled many by revealing himself to be a tender-hearted pop traditionalist whose own tunes were strongly influenced by those of early 70s faves Carole King and Todd Rundgren. Rise Above also radiates the wiped-out vibe of Sister Lovers-era Alex Chilton, saturated with self-absorbed sentiment in the best way possible and similarly devoting its 12 songs to the notion that love can be way, way bad for you. Fortunately, Epic Soundtracks' deep emotional commitment to the material on Rise Above trancends the collection of influences that makes too many of today's retro acts sound like tribute bands, and he has not yet given way to the amorphous pondering that bogs down later albums. "Ruthless", in particular, is as powerful as anything that Epic Soundtracks would ever write, and "Fallen Down" and "Everybody Else Is Wrong" are both arresting in their peculiar backwards approach to feel-good music.

    5 out of 5 stars Rest In Peace, Epic.......1999-09-24

    Epic died too young, with too many albums yet to record and too many days yet to live. He's one of the true greats, right up there with Brian Wilson. He will be missed.

    4 out of 5 stars Beautiful, mellow, piano-driven pop in a 70's style........1998-09-02

    Pop Kulcher Review: The late Epic Soundtracks started out as the drummer for the Swell Maps, an obscure experimental group, and later played drums for a few other 2nd/3rd-tier post-punk bands. So his solo debut was something of a shock: simple, singer-songwriter ballads, almost entirely just piano & vocal (with a few fully-orchestrated tunes with members of Sonic Youth, amid others, helping out). The album is a complete throwback to early-70's acts like Badfinger, Todd Rundgren, and Harry Nilsson -- maybe even the Carpenters (for whom Soundtracks confessed some admiration) -- making for a perfect Sunday-morning listen. It has a pervasively sad, nostalgic feel to it, but really draws you in.
    Clocks Are Like People
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • a fine second album, but ...
    Clocks Are Like People
    Circulus
    Manufacturer: Rise Above
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B000GG491O
    Release Date: 2006-08-14

    Tracks:

    1. Dragon's Dance
    2. Song of Our Despair
    3. Willow Tree
    4. Wherever She Goes
    5. Velocity Races
    6. To the Fields
    7. Bour
    8. This Is the Way
    9. Reality's a Fantasy

    Album Description

    Filled with visions of feckless scarecrows, errant knights and the quiet joys of candlelight, the debut full-length album (The Lick On The Tip Of An Envelope Yet To Be Sent) by these medieval minstrels, Circulus , gave those brief hot summer months of 2005 a soundtrack of ancient wind instruments, 70s Moog synthesisers and ghostly harmonies. Now they are back and have moved five centuries into the future, creating a Baroque-Rock album of the highest caliber. Clocks are like people should see Circulus jump forward in terms of success as well as era's. The much improved an accomplished songwriting/production on 'Clocks' shows Circulus in a more laid back and comfortable light. Key tracks 'Song Of Our Despair' and 'Wherever She Goes' have radio written all over them, whilst the Elizebithan harpsichord workout of 'To The Fields' or the Moog soaked wonders of 'Bouree' prove that the have lost none of their creative appeal.

    Album Details

    The Midieval Minstrals of Acid Folk Are Back, this Time They've Jumped Five Centuries Into the Future and have Created a Baroque-rock Album of the Highest Caliber. The Much Improved and Accomplished Songwriting/Production on 'clocks' Shows Circulus in a More Laid Back and Comfortable Light. Key Tracks 'song of Our Despair' and 'wherever She Goes' have Radio Written all Over Them, Whilst the Elizebithan Harpsichord Workout of 'to the Fields' Or the Moog Soaked Wonders of 'bouree' Prove that the have Lost None of their Creative Appeal.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars a fine second album, but ..........2006-09-13

    Last year the first Circulus album "Lick on the tip ..." fell onto my path and I was delighted with the energy, wit and quite unique blend of rock/folk/psychedelics of the record, and was really looking forward to the next album.
    "Clocks are like people" is a fine follow-up with great arrangements and a more intricate approach. There are more twists and turns in the songs themselves and they are embedded in a more symphonic environment. In its approach this new album reminds me of bands like Jethro Tull in contrast with the first one which had a more folky and psychedelic feel.
    There is a downside to this album though. As the accompanying booklet suggests the band wasn't too happy with the response by critics and possible buyers alike, and this may explain the fact that this latest effort seems a lot more subdued and refined to a point where I'm missing the fun, energy and the-devil-may-care approach they exuded with "Lick ..". So while being a really good effort, it's not the daring step into the unknown I had hoped they would take. A pity. Hopefully they'll throw all good marketing and strategy advice aside and take the wilderness path again.

    Capricorns
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Capricorns
      Capricorns
      Manufacturer: Rise Above
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
      Hard Rock & MetalHard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
      ASIN: B00069MPUI
      Release Date: 2006-03-31

      Tracks:

      1. Comrades In Tears
      2. Queen Of Bruises
      3. Transcendental Evisceration

      Album Description

      Debut mini CD from the much talked about experimental, mainly instrumental art metal 4 piece. Featuring 3 tracks 'Comrades in Tears', 'Queen of Bruises' and 'Transcendental Evisceration'. Capricorns are unique in the UK scene, exploring new styles and sounds. Rise Above. 2006.
      The Lick on the Tip of an Envelope Yet to Be Sent
      Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
      • Tongues in cheek, pastoral prog + electric folk
      • Circulus for a big smile!
      The Lick on the Tip of an Envelope Yet to Be Sent
      Circulus
      Manufacturer: Rise Above
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
      Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
      Neo-PsychedeliaNeo-Psychedelia | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Folk | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
      Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
      RockRock | Imports | Stores | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. Clocks Are Like People

      ASIN: B0009S4VH6
      Release Date: 2005-07-11

      Tracks:

      1. Miri It Is
      2. My Body Is Made of Sunlight
      3. Scarecrow
      4. Orpheus
      5. We Are Long Lost
      6. Swallow
      7. Aphid
      8. Candlelight
      9. Power to the Pixies

      Album Description

      Psychedelic and fantastical seven-piece debut album contains 9 songs played with passion, wit and despair.

      Album Details

      Debut Album from a Band that Has the History and Mysteries of Britain Etched Into Its Grooves in Pure Songs Played with Passion, Wit and More Than a Hint of Despair. Circulus Are Psychedelic, Open-minded and Idealistic. "The Lick on the Tip of an Envelope Yet to Be Sent" Has Captured their Ethereal Power in a Tangible Form that Can Be Enjoyed on all Modern Stereo Systems. Circulus Cannot Fail to Uplift and Give Meaning to the Life of all who Embrace Them.

      Customer Reviews:

      3 out of 5 stars Tongues in cheek, pastoral prog + electric folk.......2005-12-03

      Perfectly fine, in the mode of Steeleye Span's mid-70s electrified Brit folk rock period, with expansion into pastoral prog that might have been featured on that same decade's Harvest label. The best songs are the instrumentals; track 7 opens up into what could be one of the last genre-bending exercises not repeated after the 70s until now. Hawkwind-meets-bucolic Eastern-tinged trippiness-anchored in rusticated England?

      This would be a great avenue for the band to pursue, better suited to them than the accurate but rather arch and distant folk-rock re-creations that most of this album remains grounded by. Like "The Darkness," their tongue seems planted in cheek as they too imitate the sounds of the seventies, with earnest effusions about pixies and burning scarecrows. They don't seem to take any of this seriously, which may differentiate them from their forebears! The album does open well, I must admit: it sounds like J. Rotten on vocals as the first song begins. Female and at least two male singers alternate, which helps the texture of the songs vary, but more imagination (and perhaps a bigger budget next time?) needs to be applied to the music if the band wants to make a real impact.

      The songs need to take flight more than they do; while you could play much of this shuffled into the electric folk-rock of three decades past, the band needs to do more than ape its influences. But in a decade that mimics new-wave and the 80s, it's refreshing to leap back a few years before, when it was cool to combine longhairs, shawms, and sprites. For now, if you like this, check out the similar Scots ensemble Lucky Luke, (reviewed also by me) in their debut "Patrick the Survivor."

      4 out of 5 stars Circulus for a big smile!.......2005-09-19

      As a folk(rock) fan I was well pleased with "Lick on the tip of an envelope" being recommended to me. At one look at the cover, the photographs & the (psychedelic) artwork I smiled & knew I was into something good.
      All lyrics are accompanied by appropriate artwork, and the photos are ensemble pictures which point unashamedly to hippies, old celtic rituals & (judging from what the participants are wearing) days long gone by. Oddly enough no one is smiling! (or is there a hidden meaning?)
      The music didn't disappoint me either: well-played folkrock infused with psychedelic & modern sounds, starting off well with the traditional "Miri it is". Almost all following songs are quite strong with rather new-agey but sometimes quite funny lyrics. It's not really clear how serious we should take their lyrics (Power to the Pixies....?!), but this uncertainty does add to the overall charm. Included as well is a song by Marianne Segal of legendary folkrock group Jade.
      Listening to and looking at the cd I cannot help comparing Circulus with the legendary bands Dr. Strangely Strange and Gong. Although Circulus will not make me forget either of those bands, their "Lick ..." is well appreciated, with the eager expectation of what may be.

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