Album Review: Circle The Middle

Sydney band Circle's debut studio album The Middle has been a while in the making – the band formed in 2005. According to their press release, this album proves “they're a well-rounded bunch,” and beyond using cheap entendres to encapsulate their musical accomplishment and completeness, The Middle definitely does lift on the group's previous EPs and releases. This time round, Circle seem a little more are mature and worldly.

The album is composed of clever lyrics and song titles; in sum, it's a well-refined cluster of warm songs that'd make a fine soundtrack to a coming and overdue summer.

The 11 tracks that made the cut – apparently whittled down from 18 – are unique and representative of the band's diversity, but keep an appealing common thread that never distances listeners. Sometimes, however, it sounds as if that running theme is that the synth-heavy tunes are best suited to a mid-1980s Napoleon Dynamite-esque dancefloor, but on further inspection it's far more likely to be Bec Shave's beautiful harmonies and Radi Safi's familiar-but-fresh vocals that provide continuity.

Fashion Me A Drum is punchy from beginning to end, and already getting deserved airtime. Hold, featuring such lines as “…repeating that you give a fuck” are sung in such an angelic pitch as to make the whole arrangement irresistibly ironic.

Half Race Girls' politically incorrect title is forgotten after hearing its addictive chorus and potent closing riffs.

The Middle ends satisfyingly with the upbeat Brothers, as well as some lamentation for its conclusion. At the risk of journalistic peril, let us hope it isn't another seven years until they come full circle with a second studio gem.