Circle of Giants by moe. – Album Review
Circle of Giants by moe. – Album Review
Esteemed jam-band moe. has returned in full-force in 2025 with the release of their fourteenth studio album Circle of Giants and a supporting eastern U.S. tour. Their first release since 2020, Circle of Giants chronicles the progressive New York-based group as they celebrate their 35th anniversary after a period of change, personal healing, and recovery.
The album starts on a grungy note with “Yellow Tigers,” with the axemen’s congruent harmonies and keyboardist/singer/songwriter Nate Wilson’s Hammond organ adding color to Chuck Garvey’s spiring guitar lead. The clearly Hunter S. Thompson-influenced “Bat Country” alternates between flutey bossa nova jazz and power-chord rock, grounded by Rob Derhak’s bass and vocals. Five minutes in, “Bat Country” takes a left turn into a lively Santana-influenced jam, highlighted by Wilson’s whirlwind Hammond lead and the dynamic drumming of Vinnie Amico and Jim Loughlin.
Paul Citone
“Giants” starts as a blues waltz before returning to jam-band form with effects-laden vocals and a punchy guitar/bass/synth riff. Newest member Wilson’s organ lead is again spotlighted in the extended instrumental mid-section, followed by a fiery digital-delayed guitar lead. The Al Schnier-penned “Band In The Sky” is the album’s longest and perhaps finest track, with undertones of the Fab Four as well as early 2000’s indie piano-rock. It dynamically ebbs and flows throughout twelve minutes, with ethereal harmonies encouraging listeners to “lift each other up” metaphysically. The melodic piano rock theme continues on the Schnier/Derhak-written “In Stride” with guitar & synth dueling and confident vocals encouraging personal perseverance.
moe. continues to favorably venture into various genres as the chance permits, fortuitiously expanding the boundaries of what is considered progressive rock or jam-band music.
“Tomorrow Is Another Day” gets the feet stomping with country rock, as the group sings the praises of hard-working laborers “breaking heavy rock for the company store” day after day. The new wave ska rock “Don’tcha Know” is an unexpected change of pace and the album’s most radio-friendly track, clocking under three-and-a-half minutes. “Beautiful Mess” is a playful bar rocker wistful of teenage innocence lost.
Ryan Lewis
The tempestuous “Ups and Downs” starts with an easygoing groove, built on Derhak’s plucking bass and pandemic-era songwriting experiment. The mellow chorale suddenly surrenders to an angsty, demented interlude, before returning to its redeeming rollercoaster refrain. “Living Again” is similar jam-band pleasantry with uplifting lyrics and harmonious chorus, building patiently to paint an airy, dreamy soundscape that encompasses the listener’s auditory cortex to a satisfying denouement.
Circle of Giants is an album of musical and personal growth, healing, redemption, and determination.
moe. continues to favorably venture into various genres as the chance permits, fortuitiously expanding the boundaries of what is considered progressive rock or jam-band music. As a long-time fan and concert attendee of the group dating back to the hazy 1990s, it’s heartwarming to see moe. persevering and continuing to make fine and creative music together.
Bill Kurzenberger, in addition to being the assistant editor of Psychedelic Scene, is a first-rate musician based in Columbus, OH.
Circle of Giants is available on CD and vinyl on the band’s online store at https://moe.shop.musictoday.com and as a digital download on digital distribution sites
moe. official website: https://moe.org
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