| Pinball Mars | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2003 | |||
| Genre | Experimental rock, alternative rock, psychedelic rock | |||
| Label | Rockathon Records / Fading Captain Series | |||
| Producer | Todd Tobias | |||
| Circus Devils chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Erasing Clouds |  [2] |
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.
On behalf of Erasing Clouds, David Heaton wrote,
Somewhere between the caustic noise of 2001's Ringworm Interiors and the more reined-in, sensitive concept album The Harold Pig Memorial (2002), Pinball Mars often sounds like arena rock anthems after they've been processed by two different mechanisms: one looking to make them into death-metal hymns to Satan, the other trying to discover what would happen if classic rock and free jazz had a baby. [2]
AllMusic's Bart Bealmear added,
The soundtrack is one of blood-curdling fancy merry-go-round rides. One wants off, but can't because of what awaits. It's as if an illicit IV has been administered during REM sleep, drawing the listener closer to the protagonists, and further into their shady world. The theme of good and evil has always been the Circus Devils' focus, but here the concept feels different, more human. [1]
Tommy is the fourth studio album by the English rock band the Who, a double album first released on 19 May 1969. The album was mostly composed by guitarist Pete Townshend, and is a rock opera that tells the story of Tommy Walker. Tommy is traumatised from witnessing his father murder his mother's lover. Tommy's parents compound his trauma by denying the experience. In reaction, Tommy becomes dissociative. Tommy then experiences the trauma of being sexually abused. As a way of coping with his trauma, Tommy dissociates further through playing pinball. He gains a following because of his skill at playing pinball. After numerous misguided attempts to heal Tommy, a doctor prescribes him a mirror so he can confront himself and his experience. Instead, Tommy becomes self-absorbed and comes to think of himself as a messianic figure. When the mirror is eventually broken, Tommy comes out of his dissociative state. Tommy then tries to lead his followers to believe that the only path to healing is through him. His followers eventually reject him and his teachings.
Shout at the Devil is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, released on September 23, 1983 through Elektra Records.
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.
In the Wake of Poseidon is the second studio album by English progressive rock group King Crimson, released in May 1970 by Island Records in Europe, Atlantic Records in the United States, Philips Records in Australia, and Vertigo Records in New Zealand. To date the album is their highest-charting in the UK, reaching number 4.
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.
"Makes No Sense at All" is a song by Hüsker Dü from the album Flip Your Wig. Written by Bob Mould, the song was one that Mould felt aged well. The song was released as the debut single from the album, reaching number 2 on the UK indie charts.
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.
The Harold Pig Memorial is the second studio album by the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils, released in 2002. Conceived as a concept album, each song depicts an episode in the life of biker Harold Pig as told by Harold's friends at his wake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Junk Yard is a pinball game released by Williams Electronics in 1996. The game was advertised with the slogan "The meanest game in the whole darn town.".
Made From Plate is an album released by tax-scam label Tiger Lily Records as the debut album of a band called Onion. In reality, like Hotgun, released by Guinness Records the album was a composite, created from unpublished demo recordings made by several different unsigned performers. One of the rarer albums released by Tiger Lily Records, only two copies are known to exist.
My Mind Has Seen The White Trick is the eleventh studio album from the American psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils. The album marks the first 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. 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.
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.
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.