Album Review: Circus Mind — Joy Machine
An excursion into the funk-rock universe, Circus Mind’s Joy Machine feels like a party. Signature licks – lengthy ones, sometimes – -form the basis of this inviting and energetic release. In the pandemic era, recording individual components in isolation is a given, and people were dong it that way even before COVID. The problem come in when it sounds like it, when the sonics betray the disconnectedness of the enterprise. You won’t find any of that here; though Joy Machine was indeed cut in that manner, the ensemble led by Mark Rechler sounds and feels as if it’s all in room together.
The title track sounds like an unreleased Sly and the Family Stone cut, and features searing lead guitar work by guest player Scott Metzger (of Joe Russo’s Still Dead). In fact guests are all over this album; the credits read like a hip-hop joint, save for the fact that these guests are players. Nels Cline, Mac Ribot and Brandon “Taz” Niederauer are on hand variously throughout the record. And they’re full integrated; not slathered on top; guests they may be, but their work fits seamlessly into the mix.
Truth in labeling: Circus Mind’s Joy Machine is an enjoyable and engaging listen, start to finish.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.