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Cirkus: Let The Madness Begin

Cirkus: Let The Madness Begin

Hard/Sleaze Rock
Rating: 3.5/5.0

www.cirkusmusic.com
Nightmare Records/Koch Distribution
www.myspace.com/cirkusmusic

I've got to give them credit, Cirkus tries to rock out on their first full length album, 'Let The Madness Begin.' Hailing from Sweden, Cirkus has had three successfull EPs in as many years. They like to claim an historic and impressive bloodline from Led Zeppelin to The Clash to Aerosmith to Guns N' Roses. That's a pretty ballsy bravado, if you ask me. But can they pull it off? Frankly, except for a few songs, the music on 'Let The Madness Begin' is quite tame, almost castrated of energy. After one listen, I wanted to rename this album 'Let The Boredom Begin.' But this is unfair, so read on.

To understand this work, it is probably best to start with the very last song, a cover of 'Get It On' by T-Rex. It's a fair rendition and basically explains the essence of their roots. As for the other tracks, the best songs are three: 'Hard Headed Woman,' probably the most representative rocker;' 'Everlong Lasting,' a politically charged number, delivers strong fret work amidst a clever arrangement; and 'Walking Disease' uses a slippery pace and another catchy arrangement to deliver the rock. Kudos should also go to Cirkus for the creative use of horns on 'Chexx Mate,' an otherwise dull number. Cirkus clearly tips the hat to (or rips off depending on your perspective) GnR on the musically deriative and horribly vulgar, 'F*ck'em And Flee.' (Similar nuances are found on 'Walking Disease' as well.)

Cirkus' 'Let The Madness Begin' is another debut work which I could file some where between a musical oddity and curiousity. It was interesting, even enjoyable, in its better moments, but still not quite the hard rockin' work I expected. On a positive note, I can say that Cirkus has some true talent in musicianship and song composition. Though Cirkus didn't reach me this time, I'll be looking forward to future works.

In Short

Cirkus' 'Let The Madness Begin' is another debut work which I could file some where between a musical oddity and curiousity. It was interesting, even enjoyable, in its better moments, but still not quite the hard rockin' work I expected.

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