Midnight Circus – Money Shot
MIDNIGHT CIRCUS
MONEY SHOT
Released 2005 (Perris)
Track List:
01. Welcome The Circus
02. Psychedelic Trippin’
03. Tonight
04. Don’t Wait For Love
05. Only One
06. Yours Forever
07. Dirty Rhythm
08. Forever Came Today
09. It’s Alright
10. Nothing To Lose
11. Alive
12. S.M.D.
Band:
Rob Howl – vocals
Gregg Gill – guitar
Alan Rogers – bass
Rick Ward – drums
Production:
Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered Gregg Gill. Assistant producer Brian Flannery.
Review:
Prior to spinning this CD I had come to the conclusion that Midnight Circus would score bonus points for such cool album artwork. It isn’t as tasteless as the Scorpions‘ Virgin Killer, but it is sure to offend – in other words you won’t find Money Shot stocked on the aisles of your local Wal-Mart.
The music itself isn’t as outrageous as the porn show front cover, but it does have its moments. Picture a pop-metal band like Danger Danger with a bit more grit and grime and you will get a good feel for what these Texan rockers sound like. You just know that if these guys had a video on MTV’s rotation it would be filled with smiles, poses, long hair and a band having a harmless good time. Now that isn’t to say that Midnight Circus is all flash and no talent, because that isn’t the case at all.
For proof of their talents look no further than opening tracks “Psychedelic Trippin'” and “Tonight”. These two tracks are scorchers and show that Midnight Circus has done their glam rock homework – laying the leads on thick and the harmonies even thicker. Sadly the rest of the album pales in comparison to these two gems. Most of the remaining songs follow the pop rock blueprint by being well crafted but coming across as lightweight and safe. For instance, “Only One” sounds a lot like White Lion minus the nasal vocal styling, and fans of Poison should eat up the catchy “Forever Came Today”. However just when you think you have the band’s sound pigeonholed along comes a song like “Dirty Rhythm”, an EZO like number complete with moaning women.
I’m having a hard time determining if Midnight Circus wants to come across as saints or as a parent’s worst nightmare because they play both sides of the spectrum – just compare “It’s Alright” to “S.M.D” (I’ll let you figure out what that stands for). If you like your metal on the poppy side (and I know many do) Money Shot is the album for you. www.circusrock.com
Reviewed by Skid for Sleaze Roxx, August 2005.
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