Circa Survive

On Tuesday, October 2, Circa Survive stopped on their Austin, Texas leg of the Violent Wave’s tour with bands O’Brother, Balance and Composure, and Touche Amore at Emo’s East. Since Circa Survive’s debut, I’ve had the chance to catch four live shows throughout the band’s career and have certainly noticed the increase of lyrical maturity as well as a decrease in energy during performances; no more violent screams, no more stage dives, and far less movement. After recently becoming a “family man”, you can’t blame front man Anthony Green for slowing down on stage, but the band’s recent show lacked obvious energy that long-time Circa Survive fans have stuck around for. Sure, their use of confetti machines and giant balloons added amusing effect for Circa newbies, but after several tours of using the same props, these guys are running out of originality. Circa Survive saved their show by creating a “best of” set list, incorporating songs that die hard fans fell in love with from Juturna and In Fear and Faith and a few tunes off their new album, Violent Waves. Unimpressed, maybe, but Circa Survive continues to be one of my all time favorite bands and their lyrics still the soundtrack to my youth.