Celtic pride!
Hailing from East Yorkshire, Circus Envy are an Alternative-Folk band with a polished sound mixing in the usual acoustic instruments with flutes and mandolins, and lashings of harmonies. "Secrets" is the band's debut album following on from two EP's - 2008's "Take Me Home", and last year's critically acclaimed "A New Dawn".
Circus Envy are a new wave of Folk, and their sound differs to most insomuch as it mixes the Traditional folk that has a Celtic/Irish vein, with an Indie twist that confidently wanders down the middle-of-the-road musical path. The first track, 'Regret' musically has none of the title, as it slithers out with it's gentle tempo and sing-a-long chorus. Then we have more harder beat and structure to the brilliant, 'Snakes And Ladders'. Things slow down for the Easy-Listening of 'A New Dawn' with beautiful vocals before the more Celtic feel of the marching acoustic strum-beat of guitars. The band nod towards each different type of Folk music without jumping too deep into either keeping the flow true.
The clear, concise and gentle words sing out nicely in the Beautiful South-esque vocal harmonies of 'In To The Light', before the piano provides the melody in the thoughtful and haunting ballad of, 'Betsy Watson'. This is a song that along with 'Three Score Ten' is a Traditional song adopted and adapted by the band to something of their own. The pace quickens and the tempo ups in the foot-tapper, 'Last Cigarette' that reminds me a little of Dusty Rhodes & The River Band, which leads to the Irish-Jig of, 'Say Something'. We then have 'In My Way', before the great final song in, 'Baby's Got A Secret'.
If I was to be overly critical then I would say that the album is over produced, as all of the grit, dirt and earthy feel has been washed, cleaned and polished until it is glowing and smelling of perfume; but I guess that is what contemporary Folk is about, taking something traditional and old and sprucing it up with a little pizazz. Circus Envy are a good band, sat in a little world of their own singing their catchy harmonic driven songs. There is no anarchy, no confrontation, and no apologies for any of this. It's music for music listeners, sweet and simple.