An Emerald City - Circa Scaria
An Emerald City's Circa Scaria is without a doubt one of the greatest albums to come out of New Zealand in recent years. Not only does it enlighten musically in ways seldom heard, but serves as a reminder as to how wonderfully diverse the local music scene has become in recent years.
"Circa Scaria" while slow to begin with, entices you into a world of eastern mysticism, one backed with tribal rhythms and mountainous guitars, one in which you are transported to a far off place, miles away from the cave in Whatipu where it was recorded. Although reminiscent at times of Mogwai, Godspeed! You black Emperor and Kronos Quartet, "Circa Scaria" never tries to imitate, no this album is its own beast and by the time "Mull Pasha" swings into action, you are well aware of the epic scale that is contained within.
AEC's live performance must really be a sight to behold as the variety of the instruments and musicianship involved on this album conjure up a truly magnificent performance, but this is yet another band that promises so much only to leave our shores for bigger things overseas. The band has just left for Berlin.
Why is "Circa Scaria" one of our country's greatest albums you say? Because it's everything it strives for, it wholeheartedly achieves. It isn't yet another local album that copies an oversea trend to be "commercially viable". It proves that one of this country's greatest strengths is indeed innovation and "Circa Scaria" has that in spades.
M.Jones
