Russian Circles: Station

Although they can easily unleash a wall-flattening torrent

of instrumental math-metal, Russian Circles have always favored a more refined

approach: Heavier moments—generally moments, not full songs—build gradually and dissipate organically. After

all, the band hails from Chicago, where the post-rock scent of Tortoise and The

Sea And Cake still lingers in the air. The style can satisfy both camps: Rockers

get their metallic fix, and the post-rock crowd can soak up the atmosphere.

Either way, Station requires

patience, more so than its predecessor, Enter. There are no all-out rockers like Enter's "Death Rides A Horse," just six tracks that take

their time getting anywhere. For fans of Russian Circles' heavier

predilections, Station might be a

little boring; the band has grown stingier with the bombast, which in turn

means less excitement—Russian Circles are most impressive when they rock

out. But guitarist Mike Sullivan and drummer Dave Turncrantz—original

bassist Colin DeKuiper left before Station, with Brian Cook of These Arms Are Snakes filling in—are less

interested in quick thrills than compositional cohesion. The thrills may not

come quickly, but Station still

has plenty of them.