Circus Mind’s latest album, “Road Less Travelled” plays like a full-band carnival of American groove music, with funk-rock at its core, but constantly veering into soul, Americana, classic rock balladry, and New Orleans-flavoured jam-band looseness. The record’s instrumentation is rich and varied: Mark Rechler’s keyboards and vocals sit at the front, supported by Dan Roth’s drums, Steve Finkelstein’s percussion, Mathew Fox’s bass, Brian Duggan’s guitar, and guest/backing vocal contributions including Chris Butler on the title track.
One of the greatest strengths of this album is its songwriting, which is evident on the opening track, “The Battle of Brooklyn.” The title takes inspiration from a real civil war battle and juxtaposes it against the changing landscape of modern-day Brooklyn. “Melt Away” is a harder-hitting track that explores themes of climate dread, escalating the tension through hard-rock guitars, synth-driven passages, and a fiery Scott Metzger guitar feature.
Road Less Travelled also stands out for its ability to change rooms without losing the party. “Follow Me Home” brings a tropical softness through Brazilian samba rhythms, Rhodes keys, pedal steel, and saxophone, creating one of the record’s most atmospheric grooves. “Barstool Hero,” meanwhile, starts from reggae and expands into rock and psychedelia, using instrumental shifts and a closing guitar solo to give the track a cinematic arc.
The production works best because it lets the band breathe. “Whole Lotta Nuthin” is a perfect example: its supple bassline, tight drums, and horn colour all sit naturally in the mix, creating a laid-back soul-funk groove that feels lived-in. The heavier side of the album lands just as convincingly. “Viking Princess” distils Circus Mind’s jam instincts into a blues-soaked psychedelic rocker with overdriven guitars, thick bass, and organ textures.
Road Less Travelled is Circus Mind at their most expansive and self-assured. It is not a minimalist album, nor is it trying to be. Its charm comes from excess handled with craft: horns, keys, percussion, guitars, pedal steel, harmonies, reggae pulses, blues grit, psych-rock detours, and soulful vocals all moving through the same big tent. The result is a warm, adventurous record that proves Circus Mind’s road may be less travelled, but it is full of colour, character, and serious groove.
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