Anthony Green has become a hero in the scene. As the lead singer of the experimental rock band Circa Survive, he has managed to develop a strong following over the years due to his soaring vocals and his ability to command the audience in a live setting. Circa Survive is back with their third full length, their major label debut, Blue Sky Noise. With many bands, the transition from an indie to a major label is not an easy one. Diehard fans are immediately skeptical that their favorite band will sell out and conform to the label’s needs. Some bands struggle to keep their identities with new pressures that come with a major label. Circa Survive is not one of those bands.

            The follow up to 2007’s On Letting Go, Blue Sky Noise was one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Fans of the band have followed Anthony Green’s solo career, which took off the past two years while Circa was writing for Blue Sky Noise. Anxious and patient fans will finally get to hear new Circa Survive. The band has established staying power in the music world because of their unique style of music and enticing live show. Their songs have continually helped them stand out and apart from other bands of similar genres because of Green’s distinctive vocals. While many bands these days seem to fade away after their second release, Circa proves that they are going to be around to create more solid records.

            Circa Survive has managed to keep their signature sound alive on Blue Sky Noise. The record opens with “Strange Terrain”, a catchy, fast-paced rock anthem that immediately sets the pace for the rest of the album. The first single Get Out” is an obvious hit, featuring Green shrieking over alluring guitar riffs. Throughout the record, Green’s vocals are sleek and spot-on. Circa has never tried a ballad before, and they manage to create a hit with “I Felt Free”. The melody in the verses is simple yet beautiful, and the guitars balance perfectly with Green’s harmonized vocals. The album flows smoothly, making it easy to listen to without getting bored. “Through the Desert Alone” has an epic chorus that contains powerful drums. The band falls a little flat on “Spirit of the Stairwell”, an acoustic track that gets repetitive at times, although they try to spice it up with piano and guitar feedback. The only other acoustic song Circa has is off their debut album Juturna. Their best songs are fast and aggressive, and sound perfect during their incredible live show. The album features Circa’s first-ever instrumental song, “Compendium”, a short, guitar driven introduction track that flows seamlessly into the album closer “Dyed In the Wool”. The closer features gang vocals that go back and forth with Green to build into a massive crescendo, finishing the album with a bang. After the first listen, the impressive selection of standout tracks seduced me into replaying the album many more times.

            While many current bands lack staying power, there are a few gems that people will look back on in years from now. Circa Survive have worked hard to establish a career for themselves. Instead of fizzing out with their third album, they came back strong and ready to endure more years in the industry. As a band, Circa has grown tremendously, showing that they can still make appealing, unique records for listeners to enjoy.