The Amulet
Circa Survive · 2017
42 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
Ethereal melodies intertwine with dynamic rhythms, creating a captivating journey through existential themes and emotional landscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Never Tell a Soul — This track stands out for its haunting vocals and introspective lyrics, capturing the essence of personal struggle and vulnerability that permeates the album.
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Premonition of the Hex — Blending urgency with atmospheric elements, this song exemplifies the band's ability to balance tension and melody, pushing thematic boundaries.
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The Amulet — As the title track, it encapsulates the album's overarching themes of hope and despair through layered instrumentation and evocative lyrical imagery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate musicianship and dynamic shifts, making it engaging but not.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature layered guitar textures that build in intensity, while the fourth track introduces a more rhythmic focus with a driving beat.
- Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, particularly noticeable in 'At Night It Gets Worse', which shifts from a slow build to a frenetic climax.
- The album closes with 'The Amulet', which features an extended instrumental outro that gradually fades out, creating a sense of resolution.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting melodies for introspection
- uplifting moments amidst turbulence
- late-night reflective listening sessions
- patient builds leading to release
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer straightforward, catchy tunes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Amulet marks Circa Survive's fifth studio album and their first release after a significant lineup change, with guitarist Colin Frangicetto taking on more production responsibilities. Following the commercial success of their previous album, Descensus, this record showcases an evolution in their sound while maintaining their core identity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Coheed and Cambria· The Dear Hunter· Dance Gavin Dance
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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At Night It Gets Worse
The moment reveals a shift from an external observation of pain to an internal confrontation with one's own fears.
By transitioning from describing others' struggles to addressing personal demons, it deepens the emotional impact and invites listeners into a more intimate experience.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Lustration 5:33
- 2 Never Tell a Soul 3:49
- 3 Premonition of the Hex 3:49
- 4 Tunnel Vision 3:35
- 5 At Night It Gets Worse 5:54
- 6 Stay 2:38
- 7 Rites of Investiture 4:10
- 8 The Hex 3:46
- 9 Flesh and Bone 5:08
- 10 The Amulet 4:30
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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