Gringo (album title)
Encyclopedia
Gringo is the seventh studio album released by the Ohio rock band Circus Devils
in 2009. All songs on Gringo were written and performed by Robert Pollard
, Todd Tobias
, and Tim Tobias. The first all-acoustic album released by Circus Devils, Gringo is a song cycle in which each track recounts a moment in the life of a nameless drifter known only as "the Gringo." The moods on the album range widely between jubilant to melancholy to mean.
With Gringo, you can get lulled into comfort, but then you’ll be stabbed in the face.
– Dave Heaton for Erasing Clouds
The latest from Circus Devils once again proves that this vehicle has no rules, boundaries or expectations. This seventh release tells the story of Gringo in a simple, mostly acoustic form that still embraces the Circus Devils love for eclectic background noises but is their most straightforward set of accessible songs to date. You can call Gringo a statement, a step forward, a step backwards, or just the right step but the Circus Devils finalize the notion that trying to put a label on them remains impossible and that is what makes them worth seeking out!
– Christopher Anthony for The Fire Note
Circus Devils
Circus Devils is an American rock band with experimental/ psychedelic styles founded in 2001 by Robert Pollard, former lead singer and songwriter of the Dayton, Ohio band Guided by Voices. Members include Todd Tobias , and Tim Tobias...
in 2009. All songs on Gringo were written and performed by Robert Pollard
Robert Pollard
Robert Pollard is an American rock musician and singer-songwriter who is the leader and creative force behind indie rock group Guided by Voices, who disbanded in 2004, only to reform in 2010...
, Todd Tobias
Todd Tobias
Todd Tobias is a record producer and musician/ multi-instrumentalist best known for his work with Robert Pollard and his band Guided by Voices. Other projects include Circus Devils, Clouds Forming Crowns, the Sleeptalkers, The Library is on Fire, the Celebrity Pilots, Kramies, Brian Lisik, Slark...
, and Tim Tobias. The first all-acoustic album released by Circus Devils, Gringo is a song cycle in which each track recounts a moment in the life of a nameless drifter known only as "the Gringo." The moods on the album range widely between jubilant to melancholy to mean.
Reaction
Musically the album is filled with creepy film-score interludes and art-rock grinders, but also pretty and strange acoustic balladry. Like every Circus Devils album, it feels haunted, but those ghosts do less screaming and more gentle creeping and following. And of course, nothing is as it seems. There’s a lot to savor and decipher throughout.With Gringo, you can get lulled into comfort, but then you’ll be stabbed in the face.
– Dave Heaton for Erasing Clouds
The latest from Circus Devils once again proves that this vehicle has no rules, boundaries or expectations. This seventh release tells the story of Gringo in a simple, mostly acoustic form that still embraces the Circus Devils love for eclectic background noises but is their most straightforward set of accessible songs to date. You can call Gringo a statement, a step forward, a step backwards, or just the right step but the Circus Devils finalize the notion that trying to put a label on them remains impossible and that is what makes them worth seeking out!
– Christopher Anthony for The Fire Note
Track listing
- Witness Hill
- Every Moment Flame On
- Ships From Prison to Prison
- Bad Baby Blue
- Easy Baby
- Before it Walks
- Monkey Head
- Olaf is Still Awesome
- The Beast Falls Down
- Letters From a Witch
- Arizona Blacktop Company
- Hot Water Wine
- In Your Hour of Rescue
- Ants
- Stars On All Night
- The Gasoline Drinkers
- Yellow Cloud (inst.)
External links
- the Official Circus Devils site
- [ Circus Devils at allmusic.com]
- Circus Devils - Gringo - Album Review at Citizen Dick