Tag: circus of power

This is Circus of Power’s second album, released in 1990. It was awarded 5 K’s in Kerrang magazine. Dirty biker rock n’ roll was how they were tagged, and they certainly played to that image. I think they supported Sabbath on a tour, and that was possibly the best tour for them to be on.

The opening two tracks, Gates Of Love and Desire/ Fire In The Night is a perfect one two punch of groovy metal/stoner vibes. Two River Highway is a heavied up Southern rock ditty, with a hint of Nashville thrown in to make sure all bases are covered. You can just taste the JD. The title track follows and has a wicked riff with heavy stoner vibes. Don’t Drag Me Down has the band deep in Americana territory with a very rootsy feel. Last track on Side 1 is Last Call Rosie, and it is deep in DC territory with an infectious little toe tapper.

Side 2 kicks off with Doctor Potion. This is my favourite track and its just a straight up rocker with a simple dirty riff and groove. Los Angeles has a Butcher And Fast Eddie feel with a slow dirty blues groove. Got Hard is a simple straight up boogie with added southern vibes, and a big dose of slide. Back to the heavy biker grooves with Temptation and simple AC/DC main riff. Junkie Girl has that barroom vibe with a big dose of the south added for flavour. The album closes out with Simple Man/Simple Woman, a killer uptempo boogie and a fitting end to the album.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

This is the band’s first album released in ’88, and I guess you can file these guys under biker rock – well, that’s the image they give out in the album photos, and sonically it is very stripped down straight up barroom rock n roll.

The first track, Motor, gives you another clue or is it about a lady friend? It’s a great little tune with a nice sleazy groove. White Trash Queen is more of the same with a slight funky groove. Vocalist, Alex Mitchell, has that Jim Morrison thing down pretty good, and Call Of The Wild has that Doors thing going on – albeit with a heavier groove. Quite dark subject matter for next track, Needles, which starts off real slow before normal sleaze fest returns. Side 1 closes out with In The Wind, and it’s a sleaze anthem with not a bad hook.

Side 2 kicks off with Heart Attack with a stock AC/DC riff and uptempo beat, and it’s another ode to his err…lady. Crazy is up next with a very simple riff and slow groove. It’s my least favourite on the album as it doesn’t do a whole lot. Letters Home has a great uptempo groove with a hint of country thrown into the sleaze mix. Backseat Mama is the best track on the album. It rocks along at a decent pace and the riff is really cool. The album closes out with Machine, where Alex Mitchell proclaims he is our war machine. I’m sure Gene Simmons will sue him over that. Definitely not gonna change the world, but if you like the sleazier side of town, then this could be for you.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.