Some critics are old enough to know better, and fortunately Circuits are young enough not to care. Well, not much. Annoyingly for them, the band’s early sound was forever handcuffed to The Police, while uninspired comment focussed on frontman Benny’s supposed likeness to Tom Chaplin and Matt Willis. But now - baby-faces aside - the four-piece are finally 'on the run' and beginning to musically grow into themselves.
It's simple, and it works a treat. Drummer Nick rocks it up, bassist Simon chills it out, guitarist Nicky spikes it and Benny sells it with complete fucking bravado. 'Meet' Circuits at a party and just try to leave without begging for their phone number! It’s not always about
love at first sight - you’ve got to give
lust a chance. Sometimes it actually works out, even after an atypically average performance like this Barfly show.
Tonight’s short gig quickly runs through an updated back to back setlist and the band lay down a meaningful ambience, side-stepping acute pop sensibilities to sound more serious, yet still a little punchy. As forthcoming single 'Young Enough Not To Care' segues into trademark track 'Pistols At Dawn', it prepares to release Circuits from clichéd comparisons at last, and closing number 'Little Victories' delivers a sudden dark mood, allowing a resonant, intense exit from the stage. It’s a change that will do them good and
should garner wider recognition (when polished).
But true to their indie promise, this extremely secure unit insist on going it alone. Doing it by the half-read book and assuming their responsibilities well, they may never fully achieve the level of success potentially deserved by sticking to their guns - a determination that smacks of showing us all anyway. If it’s hubristic, it’s tolerable; if it’s bullshit, it’s believable. As Circuits’ charm has attracted a strong following already - which is telling - and the album they’re literally about to record will likely explain much, much more.
