Whenever a band gets signed within under a year of existence there are always those quick to write them off as either a quick cash-in or a flash in the pan. Fortunately enough, with a make-up that includes former members of This Day Forward, Saosin and Taken, Circa Survive are able to sidestep such condemnations with relative ease.

Aligning themselves with producer Brian McTernan (Cave In, Thrice) for this full-length debut, the band capture a dreamy sound that takes post-hardcore and indie rock into spacey atmospheric territory. Falling somewhere in-between the likes of Coheed And Cambria and Engine Down, the groups material is clean sounding and delicately layered.

Time and time again they weave together a rich sonic tapestry that is often comprised of jangling guitars, commanding bass lines and off-timed drumming. However, rather than become a quintessential part in the songs included here, the lush instrumentation if instead often relegated to mere background music for the vocal heavy performance of band frontman Anthony Green.

With a rather piercing vocal tone, his restrained croons and wails attempt to usurp everything the band can muster by continually forcing their way into the spotlight. This isn't so much a bad thing in itself, but when done on nearly every track included the aura of near-petulance created can quickly become grating. With more balance exercised the band could clearly become a powerful force, but in their present form their attention seems lopsided and their material winds up suffering as a result.