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Class 6(66)
Kyuss: ... and the circus leaves town
14/10/08 || The Duff
Released: 1995
Introduction
Most of you should know of Kyuss, a stoner band that’s all about big sounds conjuring images of the desert, pinning a woman’s ankles behind her ears and going at it like a jack-hammering rabbit and downing bottles of Jack Daniels atop the roof of a beat up ’71 Mustang; lush tones, dirty, meaty riffing that juxtaposes simplicity, catchiness and almighty groove; vocals that radiate the essence of beer, sweat and man-juice, cocktails that cause women to swoon. Many people of these present times worship all that Queens of the Stone Age release, yet Kyuss for the most part go overlooked – I can’t say I’m a fan of Josh Homme’s current band, as this band has the larger than mammoth balls sound combined with all that makes rock/stoner awesome; soundscapes, attitude and experience of love and life, something I’ve always figured QotSA to be second-rate in delivering. “… And the Circus…” is possibly the least essential Kyuss offering next to the debut, as it’s a lot less meat-and-potatoes than “Welcome to Sky Valley” and “Blues for the Red Sun”, but at the same time, the band was most comfortable with its sound on this disc, and released nothing short of a classic of bluesy-stoner rock.
Songwriting
6. The one big drawback to “… and the circus…”; Kyuss seemed to have lost the plot on this album in terms of drawing out their music. At times it works, as if in continuing from the legendary “Welcome to Sky Valley”, at others, the album tends to ramble on a bit, whether in jest or as a failed attempt to create an atsmosphere. The album wasn’t so well received upon its release, so you have been warned; as background/chill-out music, this stuff is great, but if you can’t sit still unless the music is everchanging, or just more stimulating, then this disc (or possibly even Kyuss) isn’t for you – this album is still now regarded as a mini-classic for good reason, though, y’know.
Production
10. Without a doubt, and not to take away from the rest of the band’s talent, the album’s finest aspect; one of the most fitting, perfect productions to an album I’ve ever heard, next to “Welcome to Sky Valley”, Tool’s “Lateralus” and Devin Townsend’s “Infinity”. The cream of the crop, combining rich tones with some grit reminding us of the sand-blasting nature of a desert-tornado or something, yah? The bass, ye Gods, makes the heavier riffs cascade through the speakers with utmost resolution, and the restful sections about as silky-lush as can be; the guitars, especially on the cleans, sound rich but never drowning – just soothing pulses of sexual overdrive, and when shifting to distortion, burn with fierce attitude, the kind that’ll make your nuts swell.
Guitars
8. Kyuss’ sound fully benefits from Homme’s simplistic riffing, which although has its impact boosted by the production, is very effective; the leads he plays are equally stylish, displaying someone who does not forego feeling for flashiness, but rather understands that soul can carry a lick far more efficiently than a mind-boggling tempo.
Vocals
9. I’m thinking an eight on talent, but John Garcia has a vocal style that oozes the sugar-richness of all that is right with the world. Many songs are kept quite minimal on a vocal front, the frontman’s smooth tone adding more to the drive of the music than becoming anything that could be taken as an attempt to steal the spotlight from the rest of the band – this is all about beer and making the sweet love, not marketable choruses that compensate for drab music (something I consider Qeens of the Stone Age guilty of). He makes me proud to be a red meat-eating male; women better watch out whenever I’ve got this beast spinning in my Discman, as chances are I’ll be very aroused.
Bass
8. Bass to a stoner rock album is exactly how you would expect it, sometimes wandering off on its own little ditties that complement very nicely, just another great aspect to this very calm, free-wandering album – the dude gets an eight for talent, although you’ve heard this stuff from a million and one other bands.
Drumming
7. Stoner-rock drumming, what do you want me to say? Fitting; the guy is talented, downplayed, all that jazz – I’m sure I can hear a gravity-blast in 14/16 time at the beginning of “El Rodeo”.
H5. Lyrics
7. While I can be a fan of stuff like “You don’t seem to understand the deal/I don’t give two shits on how you feel” (from “Blues for the Red Sun”, possibly in response to some maligned treatment from a member of the opposite sex?), I reckon Garcia is a lover, not a hater, and so much prefer the deeper, more introspective stuff that touches upon the philosophical/social issues of our times, and the silky-warm snugness of a feminine flesh-pouch suctioning your beef-javelin to heavenly bliss.
Coverart
10. The last two albums (this one included) boast exceptional, minimal pieces of artwork, perfect settings from which to start the journey that is a Kyuss disc. It depicts a town partly submerged, or possibly just situated atop a body of water; the mirror reflection doesn’t exactly make you ask which way is up and on what side of the water you’re on, but it still makes you dwell upon the beauty of a lovely landscape. Combined with the logo discreetly tucked away up and to the left, and the font of the album’s title, the cover to “… And the Circus…” is sexy smooth.
Logo
5. Simple; not demanding much, and I get just that.
Booklet
6. Once more, the band are going with the cover theme, with images of beat-down houses flooded and desolate. On the back you get a drained swimming pool with a hillscape/river in the background (very attractive scenery somewhat marred by the dilapidated leisure-structure); again, a remote location that is easy on the eyes. Oh, and palm trees, an angry bull, a blue-shiva/dancer of sorts and a lioness with tits; kinda went against the grain there, those last couple of pages.
Overall and ending rant
8. If you don’t like stoner/rock, skip this; if you enjoy Queens of the Stone Age, I would recommend the album, although it may be a lot less direct than you’re accustomed to when approaching a Homme’s project. If you like rock, blues, stoner, atmospheric music that’s laid back, fun, surprisingly introspective (for a randy,alcoholic band that lives in the desert) and rocks all kindsa shit then pick this bad motha up. When I want to unwind and be reminded of the blood pumping through my veins, reflect on life’s mishaps and how comfortably they can be overcome with worry-free music, none come finer than Kyuss, I can tell you.
