My introduction to The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams came about five years ago through a friend who lived in New York’s Hudson Valley. He sang the praises of a local band out of Sleepy Hollow that I just had to hear. I decided to start with the compilation album, A Box Of Everything, a tremendous representation of the band up to that point. Having started life as progressive rock band The Ancestors, core members Josiah Longo, Sharkey McEwan and Tink Lloyd morphed into Gandalf Murphy and then The Slambovian Circus of Dreams. They released their debut album, A Good Thief Tips His Hat, in 1999. The album was never released in the UK, so for its twenty-fifth anniversary, the band, who have since become a popular draw at British festivals and dropped the Gandalf Murphy tag, chose to finally drop the album there.
Having abandoned the prog-centric leanings of The Ancestors, the new band, fronted by songwriter and vocalist Longo, explored a somewhat different path. Imagine if Bob Dylan and Syd Barret had a love child who grew up with a penchant for literate weirdness. That would put you somewhere in the ballpark of A Good Thief.
Opening track Genius sets the tone. Slow and meandering, Longo’s unique vocal delivery is at the front of this and every other word-heavy tune. By and large, the arrangements throughout most of the album are simple and uncluttered, featuring acoustic guitars and Lloyd’s accordion supporting the vocals. The instantly hummable chorus makes you feel like you are sitting in your living room with a group of good friends having fun and getting high. McEwan’s psychedelic electric guitar enhances the Woodstock vibe. The album remains in this same vein for the next ten songs, sometimes speeding up the tempo, other times reverting back to the laid-back marijuana groove. One of the interesting aspects of the album is how, at the end of each song are spoken pieces, giving the impression that the band is being interviewed between tracks. At one point someone asks, “What sort of music do you play?” The first time the response is simply, “It’s, uhhhhhh…..” When asked a second time, the answer is “It’s kinda like punk, classical, hillbilly, Floyd.” Not so sure about the punk or classical description, but the hillbilly Floyd part comes through on tracks like Radio. Opening harmonica reinforces the Dylan comparison, but the subtle time changes and McEwan’s economical lead guitar undoubtedly capture the essence of Dave Gilmour.
My Girl sounds like the bastard child of Roy Orbison’s O Pretty Woman, an up tempo number whose arrangement and backing vocals seem in search of radio play. Even so, the song wears its quirk on its sleeve, daring you to love it or hate it. Circus Of Dreams has some clever odd metered parts, but suffers from what should have been a much fuller arrangement, something the band would do well on later outings. There are times, though, when that simplicity is a boon to the song, as it is on Slambovia. You’ll want to pick up your guitar and play along, as Longo’s everyman voice draws you in with an unexpectedly different chorus.
The sameness and simplicity of the arrangements can feel tedious, as on Alice In Space. I couldn’t help but fill in several other instruments in my head. Never Fit’s plainness had me wishing for a more aggressive drum approach, not the brushes and rimshots that feel too timid for the song.
When McEwan lets loose, the song invariably benefits. His slide weaves in and out of the mesmerizing wordplay of Silent Revolution and bites into the eerie vibes of Good Thief. When McEwan solos it is concise and expressive and makes you wonder where he’s been hiding. Longo begins the title track in a lower register which suits the plodding menace of the delivery. The best song on the album, Good Thief uses Lloyd’s cello to underscore the charming cad character of the thief. Longo tells us that “A good thief tips his hat / A good thief winks his eye / A good thief always smiles / And good thieves never die”. Drummer Tony Zuzulo finally gets to express himself on the closing track, Already Broken. His backbeat keeps the song moving, creating room for the folksy elements to breathe.
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams is an interesting band and well worth investigating. My caveat, however, is that if you are unfamiliar with the band, begin with A Box Of Everything and work your way out from there. A Good Thief Tips His Hat was a tentative first statement from a band who had yet to embrace their eccentricities and revel in their other-ness. It will make much more sense if you travel backward to reach that point.
TRACK LISTING
01. Genius (5:21)
02. Silent Revolution (5:09)
03. Radio (4:16)
04. My Girl (3:19)
05. Someday (3:21)
06. Slambovia (4:14)
07. Never Fit (5:33)
08. Alice In Space (4:57)
09. Good Thief (4:58)
10. Circus Of Dreams (3:25)
11. Already Broken (9:55)
Total Time – 54:28
MUSICIANS
Josiah Longo – Lead Vocals, Guitars, Harmonica
Sharkey McEwan – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals, Mandolin
Tink Lloyd – Accordion, Cello, Flute, Theremin, Backing Vocals
Tony Zuzulo – Drums
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Talking Elephant Records
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Date of Release: 21st June 2024
LINKS
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | Soundcloud