Circle Takes the Square
As the Roots Undo (Robotic Empire)
By Andrea Benvenuto
Published: July 5th, 2005 | 10:57am
It's hard to imagine something more grating on the vocal chords than the music they call "screamo." Obviously no one filled this genre's vanguard in on the benefits of singing from one's diaphragm. An expected effect might be equal discomfort on the part of the listener — but fortunately, that’s not the case with Circle Takes the Square.
As the Roots Undo, the Savannah band's debut album, starts out with a fair share of guttural intensity from vocalists Drew Speziale (also on guitar) and Kathy Coppola (also on bass). Against a frantic background of chaos, they scream grotesquely poetic lines such as “uncertain as the finger of a chord torn prematurely from a piano's womb.”
But somewhere in the middle of the fourth track, "In the Nervous Light," Speziale and Coppola break into a Mates of State-like harmony, proving to all that throatiness hasn't yet destroyed the voice of either singer. Elsewhere on the album we experience hypnotic chanting, a somber string section, and extended dreamy rock instrumentals.
Rounded out by guitarist Bobby Scandiffio and drummer Jay Wynne, the five-year-old band has been afforded more touring opportunities since its members' college graduations. Call it "educated hardcore" or what you will; Circle Takes the Square doesn’t hurt a bit.
Issue #35
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