Whether you’re a fan of old school Saosin or the potentially drugged out supergroup known as The Sound of Animals Fighting, a few things are for certain: Anthony Green is a beast on the mic, and his project Circa Survive with other insane band members on his level is very hard to categorize but chock full of incredible, incredible musicianship and crazy, crazy vocal acrobatics. While the band may sadly be on hiatus now, they may return to the public eye when you least expect it, and in the meantime, you can take a gander at any of their seven full-length studio albums to satiate your hungry AND thirsty senses. We decided to rank these records from worst to best, but we assure you that even Circa Survive’s weakest LP is better than your band’s finest.
7. Descensus (2014)
One of ‘em had to be last, sorry… Quiet down! At ten tracks lasting nearly fifty minutes, “Descensus,” Circa Survive’s fifth album, is a very enjoyable listening experience, but it sadly has the least replay value of their entire fantastic catalog. Released via Sumerian Records, then home to other forward-thinking rock acts Periphery and Born of Osiris, Circa Survive’s hybrid blend of every musical genre known to mankind, “Descensus” is so, so much more than a Google search of the actual word descensus; for a good time every time, google the word of this LP and when you’re done, try “Florida Man” and your birthday. Still, this full-length studio album got more than solid reviews from inferior publications, so we’re wrong here like we always are. In closing, Circa Survive and fellow East Coasters Coheed & Cambria always have the coolest album covers.
Play it again: “Child of the Desert”
Skip it: “Who Will Lie With Me Now”
6. Two Dreams (2022)
“Two Dreams,” Circa Survive’s lucky seventh full-length studio album not inspired by Billy Joel’s perfect tune “The River of Dreams,” and swan song as of now, consists of a combination of two EPs, 2021’s happily sounding “A Dream About Love,” and 2022’s morbid appealing “A Dream About Death”. The record was released via Rise Records at the very end of 2022, and was certainly not Rise-Core like Monster Energy Drink mainstays Sleeping With Sirens, Memphis May Fire, Of Mice & Men, and insert chugga-chugga metalcore act here. A few months prior to the release of “Two Dreams,” Circa Survive made a public statement that they were ending one form of a dream, better known as living the dream, and hanging their multi-genre hats, at least for the time being. “Two Dreams” is a stylistic evolution for the band and despite falling under the radar, deserves your attention.
Play it again: “Drift”
Skip it: “Die on the West Coast”
5. The Amulet (2017)
Circa Survive sure knows how to flirt with large and smaller labels, amirite? Want proof? Here you go: “The Amulet,” the band’s sixth full-length studio album, and first/last for Hopeless Records, then home to The Used, New Found Glory, Hands Like Houses, and your favorite and least favorite pop punk band, is certainly an improvement of its former, “Descensus,” unless you’re a total “Descensus” stan; sorry not sorry. Also, if you had a chance to catch CS on their co-headlining run with Thrice for this album cycle, you were treated to an amazing and musically insane show overall, with truly cool openers Balance and Composure and Chon. Actually, it must be said on paper, Circa Survive genuinely brings more than solid support acts on the road with ‘em. More bands should follow that strategy! At night it may get worse, but we’ll never tell a soul.
Play it again: “Lustration”
Skip it: “The Hex”
4. Violent Waves (2012)
Birth of the economic hit man with blood from a stone: “Violent Waves,” Circa Survive’s fourth full-length studio album, was kind of handicapped from the start as it followed their three best efforts front to back without a label to support it, which was a far more difficult path ten plus years ago than it is now. However, the band proved that they could overcome said stats and kill ‘em all by producing the nearly hour-long LP themselves, and showcasing their musicianship in a “live” sounding manner… And they did sales wise at number fifteen on the Billboard Top 200, and composition wise! Also, “Violent Waves” has two badass features in Rachel Minton of the underrated Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer on “Suitcase” and Geoff Rickley of Thursday one track later on “The Lottery;” our black scene hearts certainly figuratively won the lottery with these additions.
Play it again: “Birth of the Economic Hit Man”
Skip it: “Blood From A Stone”
3. On Letting Go (2007)
Far from a sophomore slump, but just not good enough for a gold or silver medal here in this piece, Circa Survive’s second full-length studio album and last of two for Equal Vision Records, then home to Chiodos, The Snake The Cross The Crown, Pierce The Veil, and another band name so uncool it’s cool, “On Letting Go,” contains the band’s most publicly successful Spotify song in the verbose by title alone, “The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is in the Dose”. It also acts as a slightly inferior sequel to their juggernaut debut LP “Juturna,” whatever the hell that means; we’ll get to that sooner than soon. Still, this effort likely put the cherry on the cake for their move to Atlantic Records, a major label in a world of major labels. In closing, producer Brian McTernan killed it here (and destroyed it on their first one as well)!
Play it again: “The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is in the Dose”
Skip it: “Carry Us Away”
2. Juturna (2005)
This record and the potentially surprisingly next to be listed entry have no “skip it” tracks. Zilch. Fight us. Now for our one hundred and fifty obligatory words about “Juturna” that start with three short ones: “What. A. Debut.” Seriously. We are not going to explore the drama that surrounded this band’s inception, and the fallout of another one that buried your head; you all have yahoo.com in your bookmarks that cover your houses of leaves, you know what to do at the prompt. If you remember, remember, and if you don’t, don’t. Anyway, Circa Survive’s first full-length studio album “Juturna” was quite a statement for the scene and the world hasn’t recovered since, in the best way. We’re only asking for you to give eternal props to Anthony Green, Colin Frangicetto, Brendan Ekstrom, Nick Beard, and Steve Clifford for “Juturna” and so much more!
Play it again: Ancient Rome
Skip it: Ancient Greece
1. Blue Sky Noise (2010)
It came as a shock to some that Atlantic Records would sign such a non-typical major label band like Circa Survive, but you can’t argue facts, and the band had commanding numbers that any conglomerate would kill for. Plus, they had cred, which was a solid way to attract other acts to the label whilst making ‘em seem cutting edge. Hardcore and casual fans may scoff at us ranking “Blue Sky Noise” in the gold medal spot instead of its predecessors, but you can’t argue with taste, actually, you most certainly can. Also, it’s badass that BSN was produced by David Bottrill, who sat behind the boards for classic albums from legendary acts such as Peter Gabriel, Tool, King Crimson, and Silverchair. Still, this record is their lone LP on Atlantic, which caused the band to literally get out… Sorry.
Play it again: Blue Sky
Skip it: Noise