Circus Maximus (Momus album) cover

Released 40 years ago

Circus Maximus (Momus album)

Momus · 1986

47 min · 12 tracks · post-punk · Shibuya-kei · folktronica

A whimsical blend of baroque pop and post-punk with sharp, satirical lyrics and eclectic instrumentation.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • whimsical storytelling with satire
  • steady pacing for thoughtful listening
  • mid-tempo flow for casual vibes
  • playful narratives inviting reflection

Maybe skip if you want

  • seekers of high-energy tracks
  • prefer straightforward lyrical content

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1986, 'Circus Maximus' was Momus's third studio album, following his critically acclaimed 'The Elephant' from 1985. At this point, he was establishing himself as a unique voice in the UK music scene, intertwining literary references with catchy melodies.
Stylistic neighbors
Cornelius· Pizzicato Five· Stereolab

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Lucky Like St. Sebastian 3:19
  • 2 The Lesson of Sodom (According to Lot) 3:43
  • 3 John the Baptist Jones 3:12
  • 4 King Solomon’s Song and Mine 3:17
  • 5 Little Lord Obedience 5:13
  • 6 The Day the Circus Came to Town 3:25
  • 7 The Rape of Lucretia 4:57
  • 8 Paper Wraps Rock 3:58
  • 9 Rules of the Game of Quoits 4:03
  • 10 “Nicky” 4:16
  • 11 Don’t Leave 3:35
  • 12 See a Friend in Tears 4:12

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata