Circus Animals Desertion Circus Animals Desertion

From the minimalistic cover art to the stunning, atmospheric dream-pop compositions that make up this eponymous début album, it's immediately clear that Irlam, Greater Manchester's Circus Animals' Desertion is not just another UK guitar band.

The vast majority of up and coming acts in CAD's neighbourhood seem determined to sound like one (or more) of the city's high profile success stories, be it Oasis, The Smiths, The Stone Roses or Joy Division. On the evidence of Circus Animals' Desertion, CAD would sooner look to the criminally underrated Chameleons or even the Psychedelic Furs for influence. This alone would be refreshing, but the fact that the band possesses both a knack for intelligent songwriting and is comfortable performing a range of styles so early in its recording career is worthy of genuine excitement.

Distraction and I Met A Girl are the closest things to pop here, and if a major label was handling this release I'd imagine they'd be strong contenders for lead singles. Elsewhere, there are heavier moments (Drive Away) and slower, atmospheric tracks, such as the ethereal Summer Ends and my personal favourite, December Sun, which is reminiscent of early nineties shoegazers Slowdive.

Circus Animals' Desertion is a varied, mature and ultimately fulfilling début from one of the UK's most exciting new guitar bands; that it will be ignored if favour of a dozen over-hyped copycat bands is merely symptomatic of the UK music scene's current malaise.

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