My Mind Has Seen The White Trick

Last updated
My Mind Has Seen The White Trick
MMHSTWT.jpg
Studio album by
Released2013
Genre Psychedelic rock, alternative rock
Label Happy Jack Rock Records / Rockathon Records
Producer Todd Tobias
Circus Devils chronology
When Machines Attack
(2013)
My Mind Has Seen The White Trick
(2013)
Escape
(2014)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Fire Note Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]

My Mind Has Seen The White Trick is the eleventh studio album from the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. [2] The album marks the first (and only) time the band reversed its songwriting process by first recording Robert Pollard's unaccompanied, a capella vocals before the music was written. On every other Circus Devils albums, band members Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias recorded the music first (before the vocals were added). Also for the first time, the band utilizes jazz-influenced rhythms on certain tracks. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.

Contents

Reception

The Fire Note's Christopher Anthony wrote,

Just knowing that the vocal melodies were recorded first on My Mind Has Seen The White Trick will give you a little more appreciation for the record. The second track, “It Floors The Jane" sizzles with a confident attitude that sets a tone upfront for this record. “Bird Zone” follows and stands out with its jazzy key backdrop and sway as it is one of the more memorable tunes in the bands catalog. Other things on this album help push it to the next Circus Devil level, such as the strong riff that drives “Deliver Ice Cream (You Must)” while combining with heavy drums and a guitar solo all give it a classic rock vibe which I really liked. “Subway To Human Nature” has this odd sing along capability to it, even though it is much more eclectic and dark. Its off kilter and somewhat out of tune chorus is Halloween catchy while the dramatic verse “we’re making breakfast food; for hungry nuns, dog meat de-boned to dust; come in get stoned with me” represents the complex wordplay you expect. The rest of the record has little surprises around every corner which affirms it's a Circus Devils release while the music just continually enhances Pollard's early vocal handy work. [1]

Track listing

  1. "Stop Floating"
  2. "It Floors the Jane"
  3. "Bird Zone"
  4. "Deliver Ice Cream"
  5. "Mine"
  6. "Great Orphan"
  7. "Android Dust"
  8. "We'd Be Alright"
  9. "Subway to Human Nature"
  10. "Locomotion Blue Note"
  11. "It is Not Necessary"
  12. "Eddie's Derangement"
  13. "Strained Ligature"
  14. "Peculiar Smells"
  15. "Skyclops"
  16. "Lice"
  17. "Wizard"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guided by Voices</span> American indie rock band

Guided by Voices (GBV) is an American indie rock band formed in 1983 in Dayton, Ohio. It has made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard. The most well-known lineup of the band consisted of Pollard, his brother Jim, Mitch Mitchell, Tobin Sprout, Kevin Fennell (drums), and bassist Greg Demos. Noted at first for its lo-fi aesthetic and Portastudio four-tracks-to-cassette production methods, Guided by Voices' music was influenced by early post–British Invasion garage rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, punk rock and post-punk. The band has had a prolific output, releasing 35+ full-length albums along with many other releases, and has garnered a dedicated cult following. Their songs are known for their frequent brevity and for ending abruptly or intertwining with homemade sound effects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Pollard</span> American singer and songwriter

Robert Ellsworth Pollard Jr. is an American singer and songwriter who is the leader and creative force behind indie rock group Guided by Voices. In addition to his work with Guided by Voices, he continues to have a prolific solo career with 22 solo albums released so far.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cross Road Blues</span> 1936 blues song by Robert Johnson

"Cross Road Blues" is a song written by the American blues artist Robert Johnson. He performed it as a solo piece with his vocal and acoustic slide guitar in the Delta blues-style. The song has become part of the Robert Johnson mythology as referring to the place where he supposedly sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for his musical talent. This is based largely on folklore of the American South that identifies a crossroads as the site where such pacts are made, although the lyrics do not contain any references to Satan or a Faustian bargain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circus Devils</span> American rock band

Circus Devils is an American art rock band founded in 2001 by Robert Pollard, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the Dayton, Ohio, band Guided by Voices. The band consists of Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias (music).

Todd Tobias is an American multi-instrumentalist and record producer, best known for his work with Robert Pollard and his band Guided by Voices. Other projects include Circus Devils, Kramies, The Library Is On Fire, and musical theater composer and lyricist George Griggs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devils & Dust (song)</span> 2005 single by Bruce Springsteen

"Devils & Dust" is the title track on Bruce Springsteen's thirteenth studio album Devils & Dust, and was released as a single in 2005. Concerning the Iraq War, the song gained critical praise as well as a Grammy Award for Song of the Year nomination.

<i>Sgt. Disco</i> 2007 album by Circus Devils

Sgt. Disco is the fifth studio album by the Ohio psychedelic/experimental rock band Circus Devils. The album was released first as a double-vinyl LP. The CD version of the album was released by Mike Patton's Ipecac Recordings label on August 28, 2007. Sgt. Disco features Robert Pollard on vocals and Todd Tobias on all instruments and atmospheres.

<i>Pinball Mars</i> 2003 album by Circus Devils

Pinball Mars is the third studio album from Ohio alternative rock band Circus Devils. The album, written as a mini-rock opera, was released in 2004. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.

<i>Ringworm Interiors</i> 2001 album by Circus Devils

Ringworm Interiors is the debut album from the Ohio psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. Released in 2001, the album is a collage of brash musical vignettes with moods ranging from aggressive and disorienting to haunting and dreamy.

<i>Ataxia</i> (album) 2008 album by Circus Devils

Ataxia is the sixth studio album released by the American alternative/psychedelic rock band Circus Devils on October 31, 2008. All songs on Ataxia were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias.

<i>Five</i> (Circus Devils album) 2005 album by Circus Devils

Five is the fourth studio album by the experimental/psychedelic rock band Circus Devils. Released in 2005, Five is considered among the band's least accessible albums due to the fragmented moods and styles and the experimental nature of the music. All songs on Five were written and performed by Robert Pollard and Todd Tobias.

<i>Gringo</i> (album) 2009 album by Circus Devils

Gringo is the seventh studio album released by the American psychedelic rock band Circus Devils in 2009. All songs on Gringo were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias. The first all-acoustic album released by Circus Devils, Gringo is a song cycle in which each track recounts a moment in the life of a nameless drifter known only as "the Gringo." The moods on the album range widely between jubilant to melancholy to mean.

<i>Crickets: Best of the Fading Captain Series 1999–2007</i> 2007 compilation album by Robert Pollard

Crickets: Best of the Fading Captain Series 1999–2007 is a collection of songs from releases in the Fading Captain series of Dayton, Ohio rock singer-songwriter Robert Pollard. Pollard launched his Fading Captain series of record releases in 1999, eventually releasing 44 works before ending the series in 2007. The compilation Crickets was the 44th and final release in the series. The series included albums, singles, and EPs, and featured collaborations with musicians including Tobin Sprout, Mac McCaughan, Doug Gillard, and Tommy Keene.

<i>Mother Skinny</i> 2010 album by Circus Devils

Mother Skinny is the eighth studio album released by the American psychedelic rock band Circus Devils in March, 2010. All songs on Mother Skinny were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias. The album is a return to the aggressive rock sound of the band's earlier albums, following the mostly acoustic 2009 album Gringo.

<i>Capsized!</i> 2011 album by Circus Devils

Capsized! is the ninth studio album released by the American rock band Circus Devils in October, 2011. All songs on Capsized! were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias, and Tim Tobias.

<i>Zeppelin Over China</i> 2019 studio album by Guided by Voices

Zeppelin over China is the 27th studio album by American indie rock group Guided by Voices. It was released on February 1, 2019 on the Rockathon Records label and was recorded at Magic Door in New Jersey, Serious Business Records in New York and Stillwater Lodge in Dayton, Ohio. The double album received mixed to favorable reviews from critics scoring 65 out 100 on aggregate website Metacritic and four out five stars on AllMusic, with several critics commenting on the positive output of the band's current lineup.

<i>When Machines Attack</i> 2013 album by Circus Devils

When Machines Attack is the tenth studio album from the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. The album, which has an abrasive, aggressive sound, was released in 2013, in conjunction with the album My Mind Has Seen the White Trick, which in contrast to When Machines Attack, has a gentler music style. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.

<i>Escape</i> (Circus Devils album) 2014 studio album by Circus Devils

Escape is the 12th studio album from the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. The album's relaxed atmosphere sets it apart from the band's other works. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.

<i>Stomping Grounds</i> (album) 2015 album by Circus Devils

Stomping Grounds is the 13th studio album from the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. The album is divided into two halves, with side one of the vinyl record having a more aggressive, classic rock sound, in contrast with side two, which is more relaxed and pensive. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.

<i>Laughs Last</i> 2017 studio album by Circus Devils

Laughs Last is the 14th studio album from the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. All songs were written and performed by Robert Pollard, Todd Tobias and Tim Tobias.

References

  1. 1 2 Anthony, Christopher (3 September 2015). "Circus Devils: My Mind Has Seen The White Trick / When Machines Attack [Album Review]". The Fire Note. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  2. "My Mind Has Seen The White Trick". Guided By Voices Database. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2023.