Since the release of the debut album ‘Enter’ in 2006, Chicago three piece, Russian Circles have undergone a change of line up and label in producing ‘Station’ on Suicide Squeeze.
The departure of founder member and bass player Colin DeKuiper has, though, rendered this second offering somewhat lacking in oomph. The signature guitar styles of guitarist Mike Sullivan; the chocky picking, the hammer ons & pull offs, are still very much in evidence. Gone however are the abrupt changes of pace and dynamic which kept me intrigued throughout its predecessor.
It has taken me a long time to get round to writing this article. I’ve been searching for something more from the album. But it really isn’t there. Opener ‘Campaign’ is an ambient tappy guitar intro which really fails to get anywhere. At nearly seven minutes, you expect more. ‘Harper Lewis’ starts with menacing drums and bass but the pick up is weak. My notes about each track throw up the words ‘ploddy’ and ‘promising start’ all too often. ‘Youngblood’ is old school metal, but I am soon bored and reaching for some early Metallica in preference.
The whole album gives the impression of ennui. It is flat and one dimensional; as if they’d written some basic tracks but couldn’t be bothered to develop them. Replacement bass player, Brian Cook of These Arms Are Snakes and Botch, seems to have come in at the end of the project, as the bass goes largely unnoticed. DeKuiper’s departure suggests that he was a key part in the writing process which brought so much brio to previous compositions. After a while the lack of invention and returning guitar themes of ‘chock and tap’ are incessant and a bit annoying. You’re always expecting something more and it never comes. Outros become intros to nothing. This is no better exemplified than in the last track, ‘Xavii’. For most of the track I am imagining Tony Hart talking to Margot about a dragon painted by five year old James from Bletchley Heath, when suddenly a really interesting build commences. It lasts for a minute and ends the album, leaving me frustrated.
The saving grace is fourth track, ‘Versus’. This has more depth to it and is more thought out and thorough in its composition. It develops from a brooding Hammond Organ to some peaks which represent the pinnacle of this album’s excitement. But don’t get too carried away.
It pains me to say that from an album I was expecting so much from, Station promises much but fails to get you to your desired destination.
Top tracks: ‘Versus’, ‘Xavii’.
Released 02/06/08 on Touch & Go Records