1st Chapter, The - Circus Maximus

Advantages: A great pop/rock album.
Disadvantages: Probably wont chart high, as they are pretty much unknown.

...The Feature's new album Exhibit A has reminded me that there are bands out there still worth giving a chance. I must addmitt I had never heard of this band so I guess can give a fair unbiased review of this band and album. The cost is £9.99 from HMV, Virgin any high street music shop. The track listings are as follow: 1. Exhibit A 2. The way it's meant to be 3. Me & the skirts 4. Blow it out 5. There a million ways to sing the blues 6. Leave it all behind 7. Exorcising demons 8. The idea of growing old 9. Someway somehow 10. Situation gone bad 11. Harder to ignore 12. Circus Bonus Tracks 13. Kari-Ann 14. Dark room This album has tuneful melodies and sing-along choruses to finely crafted pop songs. The overall sound is kind of a mixture between the hives, the coral and the Kaiser chiefs. The 1st single from the album `Blow... Read review

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Advantages: early electronica, very atmospheric
Disadvantages: poor lyrics

...the divisions that later broke the band were there from the very beginning with Marsh and Ware having a distinct austere sound where the music was distant and futuristic whereas Oakey had a pop edge. But it is this contrast that adds to the drama of this 1st album with its combination of dance rhythms, big music, trite lyrics, and Oakey’s welcoming voice. Track by track: Almost Medieval – A metronomic beat, followed by a fanfare and then the crashing synths. The synths essentially provide an incessant rhythm with the odd glittery sheen as well whilst Phil Oakey’s voice provides the human contrast – imagine Kraftwork if they’d been bought up in Sheffield. The lyrics seem to be about the madness of modern life but on the other hand they could be complete tosh but they fit the alien feel of the music Circus of Death... Read review

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Advantages: Christina shows exquisite vocal brilliance with a down and gritty RnB vibe
Disadvantages: The circus elements aren't so hot

...OVERALL REVIEW I admire Christina Aguilera. The journey she has gone on since her bubblegum pop debut album in titled "Christina Aguilera" 1999 in incredible, both vocally and in reinventing herself. If her last album, Stripped kicked ass, this one goes through the roof! A mix of swing, soul, jazz and blues influences with a main current of RnB shining right through is what this double edged sharp album is about. An ambitious endeavour by Christina but pulled off with class. The 1st CD is the Christina we already know and love. With songs "Back In The Day", "Ain't No Other Man" and "Still Dirrty" the right amounts of Divadom are there with brassy RnB music complimenting Aguilera's brassy voice. The 2nd CD gets down lower, grittier and brassier. This is more about experimentation and celebrating the soul greats including James Brown... Read review

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