And The Circus Leaves Town - Kyuss > Reviews > Farewell but not Goodbye

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	Perfect
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Many would argue Kyuss were the true originators of "Stoner Rock". Despite allegedly boasting a consumption to justify that heading, the band grew to loathe the term, as their music was so much more. It has been rechristened "desert rock" due to the location the band came out of, though the members of Kyuss have spread out since the days they grew up together in the desert. "...And The Circus Leaves Town" was the last real album from the band; the following "Muchos Gracias" was more of a b-side compillation than the "best of" it was billed as and offered nothing new to hardened fans.
By this time the lineup comprised John Garcia (later to form and then dissolve Slo Burn, now of Unida and Hermano) Josh Homme (later of Mondo Generator, Desert Sessions and most famously Queens Of The Stone Age) Scott Reeder (later a part of Unida's latest lineup) and Alfredo Hernandez (of Yawning Man, Across the River and QOTSA too if I recall correctly). Hernandez had been an inspiration to the band, and came in to replace Brandt Bjork who went on to be part of Che, Fu Manchu and Jalamanta, amongst other projects. Kyuss were truly the seed from which all the best branches of modern rock grew up.
Following the underrated "Wretch", the critically acclaimed "Blues For The Red Sun" and the fan's favourite "Sky Valley" this album was a fitting way for the band to conclude.
'Hurricane' is a fast, growling track, possibly the best opening to any album ever.
'One Inch Man' is more lyrical than most Kyuss recordings, more mid-paced than the others on this album and definetly stands out as the track that had the most "single potential".
'Thee Ol' Boozeroony' is also fast for a Kyuss track, but offers contrast, being instrumental.
'Gloria Lewis' is a slow, rumbling track that you'd more likely expect from the band, with Garcia's vocals being particularly excellent.
'Phototropic' is a slow and beautiful peice of guitar work complimented by the contributions of Garcia. The badn really have chemistry here, even more so than on other tracks.
'El Rodeo' builds up and then dies down with perfect timing. Homme's mournful riff suits it perfectly.
'Jumbo Blimp Jumbo' is a typical Kyuss jam.
'Tangy Zizzle' is a short and fuzzy track that sounds more like "Sky Valley" than most of the rest of the album.
'Size Queen' is another mid paced rocker, by this time the album becomes all one hazen (in a good way).
'Catamaran' - I think this was a Yawning Man song once, but I can't read the cover booklet. It's classy and thoughtful.
'Spaceship Landing' Is really two tracks split by a long silence; the first is fast and rumbling, the second slow and sorrowful. A cross section of all that Kyuss have done really.
This is a brilliant album; I can't fault it. Kyuss are the perfect band to relax to, a thousand times better than the electronic stuff that's passed around as "ambient".