moe. – Circle Of Giants Music CD

Review

moe. has always been fun. Now, it entires its serious-but-fun phase with its 14th studio album, Circle of Giants, which, coming 33 years after Fatboy, stands alongside 1996’s No Doy and ’98’s Tin Cans and Car Tires as among the best of the group’s discography.

The veteran group has undergone some serious changes and Circle marks its first LP as a sextet with the arrival of Nate Wilson, who adds keyboards, flute, songwriting and a fourth lead voice to complement guitarists Chuck Garvey and Al Schnier; bassist Rob Derhak; drummer Vinnie Amico; and percussionist Jim Laughlin.

Wilson makes his presence known early on his opening sludgy rocker “Yellow Tigers” before adding flute to the following, Tullesque “Bat Country.” And that sets the tone for Circle of Giants, which features an older and wiser moe., on its first LP since Garvey suffered a stroke and Derhak lost his son to suicide, but also a heavier and proggier moe..

The moe. of 2025 is also a more-serious, less-carefree band, battered by life but still committed to making music and improving its studio work to match its peerless efforts on stage.

As such, Circle of Giants presents moe. not as a jamband, per se - though some numbers reach the seven-minute mark - but as a rock ‘n’ roll outfit reaching a late-career peak.

Which is to say moe. sounds like a studio band singing of taking what comes on “In Stride” and “Tomorrow is another Day;” accepting flaws on “Don’cha Know;” and showing gratitude on “Beautiful Mess.” While these songs will almost certainly be played on tour, they will just as certainly sound much different when played on tour.

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— Kristopher Weiss, jambands.com

Product Details

Circle of Giants is the 14th studio album by moe. In a nod to the band’s enduring resilience and musical evolution, Circle of Giants reflects on the journey of the band through decades of highs and lows, bringing fans a fresh sound infused with introspective lyrics, masterful instrumentation, and dynamic energy.