Unfortunately I haven’t made my millions yet so I have to work. Even worse I have to travel to get there. On the plus side I drive north through the South Wales Valleys, it takes about 45 minutes usually enough to get through a full CD.

And so is the case with Russian Circles second effort. Six tracks weighing in at just over 43 minutes gives some indication of the lengthy soundscapes that Russian Circles weave through their meshing of guitar, drums and bass.

‘Campaign’ kicks Station into life, a whisper of a single note of feedback is melded into a gently plucked guitar almost reminiscent of (ahem) Tubular Bells. Ideal for that early morning stupor. Things almost threaten to get nasty as the feedback and drums reach a semi-crescendo but it breaks down into a gently rolling opener.

Of course Russian Circles are more renowned for being pioneers in the heavier side of post rock (or post metal if you will), and so as if not to disappoint, ‘Harper Lewis’ brings Station to life. Dave Turncrantz and Brian Cook on drums and bass respectively, build a threatening rhythm that hunts for a riff like a hound pursuing the fox. And when the guitar is found, it leaves the listener numb with the ferocity of its attack. The lead track is a simple full frontal assault that perfectly matches the sharpening of the senses that greets me as I join the main trunk road which takes me most of my way to work.

At this point I am wondering if Russian Circles can fail to inspire on any track they produce. The uniformly excellent Enter being matched or even trumped by the opening half of Station. ‘Verses’ however shatters my illusions, it struggles to find a true identity for itself and lacks the direction and drive of the earlier efforts. ‘Youngblood’ is equally frustrating, the chugging riff is reminiscent of early Metallica but lacking either the purpose or power to make it truly memorable.

‘Xavii’ brings a close to proceedings and takes the album full circle back to the gentle undulations of its roots.

Station provides a perfect soundtrack for my journey to work; the rise and fall of the music matching the rugged valleys landscape. Opening with a gentle beginning and then getting angry as the traffic bellows toxic fumes around me. The sense of early expectation is numbed as the album progresses, knowing that another day of toil awaits. In eight hours I will listen again and maybe the journey home will make the second half of the album sound better.
62%

Links
Russian Circles [official site] [myspace]