Frontline - Circles
After a run of decent albums, Frontline have lost their way. They've ended up in that Purgatory where bands responsible for underwritten, overproduced albums go to serve their penance.

The underwriting is on the wall from the off.

Opener 'No One' is a desperate attempt to work up the most anorexic of tunes into something more substantial by pumping up the volume and the production values.
Second track 'I Give You The Rest' follows suit. Just when you think it's going nowhere, it does.

'Save Me' covers every cliché in the book in a misguided try for originality, but again, the lack of a discernible tune is a distinct disadvantage.

Maybe realising they were sailing into stormy waters, the band set a course for calmer seas by rolling out their tried and tested fallback plan - record a track that sounds like Journey. Unfortunately, 'Did You Ever' could never rescue a ship fatally holed below the water line, but it would at least give the crew something to sing along to as they sink beneath the waves.

It's the only redeeming feature on an album ridden with second rate songs, blighted further by clumsy hands on the production tiller.

Better avoided.

Written by Brian
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
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Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Wednesday, June 14, 2006
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Comments: 245
I am so disappointed, Frontline is one of my favorite bands, although I have noticed a sharp decline in quality over the course of the last few albums. I guess they are not destined to top Heroes or State of Rock.

Posted by Alanna (Staff)
Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Comment by Brad (Anonymous) - Monday, April 16, 2007
Well Brian,,,you could'nt be more wrong about the " Circles" cd.
Frontline has updated their sound to a heavier groove yet held onto the melodic hooks and soaring guitars and vocals ( thank goodness ). If you want some sort of" new sound " for gods sakes go to some alternative site and explore some "emo" band that can't write.
Frontline has evolved and yet has kept the one thing most bands can't do today---and thats write a good melodic song thats more than studio trickery that tries to make up for lack of talent.
I love this cd and can't wait for the new one.


Comment by guitarman (Member) - Monday, September 20, 2010
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After 4 years I still have mixed-feelings about this one. I'm a huge Frontline fan but in this one the band goes to a more modern way(?). Still is a an overall good record, nothin' more nothin' less !!!!!!

Posted by guitarman
Monday, September 20, 2010

Comment by Alanna (Staff) - Tuesday, September 21, 2010
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Comments: 245
It was their last album, and a huge disappointment. Some bands evolved, Frontline just seemed to wither away. Check out the State of Rock album with Tony Mills on vocals. Many of the same musicians from Frontline, and a very similar sound. The only thing missing is Stephan Kaemmerer's vocals... but Mills does a good job with it.

Posted by Alanna (Staff)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010










Review by Brian

Released by
AOR Heaven - 2006

Tracklisting
1. No One
2. I Give You The Rest
3. Save Me
4. Did You Ever
5. Say What You Have To Say
6. Don't Run Away
7. Hunter
8. In Too Deep
9. It Is You
10. My Vision


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