CIRCUS CONTRAPTION: Our Latest Catalogue

Circus Contraption

Our Latest Catalogue

© 2001 Circus Contraption (634479245763)

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Quirky-jerky, loony-croony, gypsy carnival opera music. Tom Waits meets the Rocky Horror Picture Show? Danny Elfman meets Squirrel Nut Zippers? Listen to this glorious tangle of sounds and decide for yourself.

tracks

1 March in A minor
2 Come to the Circus
3 Marshmallows and a Holy Bible
4 The Slaughter's Promenade
5 Down to the Devil You Go
6 Coming Attractions
7 Solemn's Midway
8 As the Children Laugh
9 Marshmallows - Reprise
10 Ballad of the Coprophage
11 July Like a Dog
12 Egg Tooth
13 Toy Shop Armageddon
14 The Animals Are Behind Bars
15 Circus Contraption Theme

notes

Circus Contraption is an honest-to-goodness, one-ring travelling circus based in Seattle, Washington. Music is an integral part of our show, and we work constantly toward blurring the lines between the musicians and physical performers in the creative process.

What do we sound like? Sometimes spooky, sometimes quirky, sometimes raucous, and sometimes just a bit silly. Imagine an off-kilter carousel accompanied by Halloween music gone slightly wrong. At any given moment, you'll hear vocals, accordion, banjo, guitar, bass, clarinet, violin, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, theremin, washboard, drums, beer bottles, rusty junk and elbow grease.

We have two other CDs, both available on CD Baby.

One is "Gallimaufry, " an EP of music from our 2002 show: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/circuscontraption2

The other is "Grand American Traveling Dime Museum," a full-length album with music from our newest show:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/circuscontraption3

.....

How do others describe the band and its music?

"Wildly creative" - Seattle Times

"An amazing circus orchestra" - Bay Guardian

"Freakin' stellar" - East Bay Express

"A lurid hurdy-gurdy hybrid of Fellini movie soundtracks and Tom Waits." - The Stranger

"With amazing skill and versatility, Circus Contraption combines frolicking rhythms with sinister words and melodies." - Seattle P-I

reviews

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  • E' un gruppo strepitoso
    author: Pier Paolo Conconi

    Un gruppo strepitoso che stimola la fantasia e la creatività con gran gusto e presenza!

  • You don't have another CD like this
    author: Paul Syrett

    Not sure about the constant Tom Waits references. This is a far more interesting, eclectic and downright funny collection of sounds. Almost pointless trying to describe the music as each track is completely different to the last and is of no fixed genre, although plenty people have had a good try. Highly recommended to anyone with even slightly adventurous tatses. The first and third CC CD, along with the two The Bad Things CDs, are rarely off my CD player these days.

  • Our Latest Catalogue
    author: Big Sur Toby

    Well, what can I say? it is everything wonderful and more! Having seen Circus Contraption and their eclectic (is this the new buzz-word for outrageous/decadent/hedonistic/raunchy/out-of-control?) OCntraption Crew here in big Sur for the last few years, this CD brought back sweet and outrageous memories. I bought two of the Contraption albums - this and Grand American Travelling Dime Museum for a "Carnivale" theme based Christmas, where we will create a soup kitchen for friends, and enjoy stew and many delicous libations and mood-enhancing ingestibles. This is THE circus music your mother told you not to listen to! And so we will, in defiance of ALL of our parental admonishments, play this loud and clear, and we will dance, frolic, fall around and even atempt some of the death-defying stunts that Contraption is so well known for. You'll read about Toby's Christmas party for years to come - inspired by Circus Contraption!

  • Trapezzes swinging in the twilight zone.
    author: Carl M. Nielsen

    Remeber what it was like going to the circus as a child? The exitement, the intencity, the smell of sawspuns, the horses, the clowns, the, the, the ... Or have you ever been taken away by the unique world of old black and white movies, such as the version of "Oliver Twist" with Alec Guinnes playing Fagin? Well, here's that magic mood and special atmospeare put in to a cd. With reminences of Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Edith Piaf, Django Reinhardt, Beatles ("The Benefit Of Mr. Kite"), Dr. John, Sailor and even a bit of Alice Cooper this album creates a universe of its own. Like something you have dreamed a long time ago and then forgotten. Perhabs not sure if it was a sweet dream or a nightmare. But it was something special, something important. "Our Last Catalogue" takes you in to a magic world of dreams, desires, fears, the uncouncious, twilight zone and some old days many, many years ago, maby in the victorian era, the days of the perfect surface with a lot hidden underneith, the days of Jack The Ripper. It's all there!

  • A Splendid Nightmare
    author: Tyler

    So, just imagine that you've been drinking cheap liquor and watching the movie "Freaks." Upon passing out, you fall into a drunken dream-state that hazily takes you throughout a small rundown town some time in the 1920's or 1930's. You stumble between vaudeville-esk clubs, sleazy circus attractions, an Irish pub and a short reenactment of the Salem Witch Trials. Your dream is extremely unusual, perhaps frightening at times. Demented, twisted and yet absolutely enjoyable. You find yourself not wanting to wake up, but yearning to continue through another round of rambunctious debauchery. Upon waking, you pinch yourself just to make sure that reality has returned. After solid assurance, you ponder on how to relive the splendid nightmare. Well, Circus Contraption has three CDs. Aren't you lucky?

  • absolutely wonderful!!!!
    author: damnesia

    i'd never even heard of circus contraption, until i went to order the christmas cd from hellblinki sextet and cd baby refered this to me as well....anyway, i'm glad they did...since i received my order, this cd's been in my cd player at least 20 times....i can't get enough!!!!! thanks!

  • My favorite!
    author: Kit

    This CD is beyond great. The songs are all unique, fit together beautifully and it's my favorite CD right now. I only wish there were more like this.

  • Just amazing!!!
    author: ritxi

    I have bought the three albums of CIRCUS CONTRAPTION, and listen to them as a very long one, so I'm going to say the same for all of them. Absolutely amazing; meeting CIRCUS CONTRAPTION has been of my most important things in the last two years (talking about music!). A bizarre mixture of styles on their albums that has inspired me a lot to create my motion graphics pieces (to be seen on my site www.rtxcite.com). All that I can say is THANKS to CIRCUS CONTRAPTION for its quaility and THANKS to CDBABY for giving me the chance of gettinf the albums. A MUST HAVE!!!

  • Bloody Barmy...in a good way!
    author: Dave

    If you feel like buying something original then this is it. I'ts a bit like Eastern European gypsy music in sound but the lyrics are more like one of the recurring bad nighmares that you get every now and then. They use some sound effects to great effect and I successfully worried my mum (she thought I had contracted a mental illness). Great to listen to in the dark but best not listen to it before bedtime as you will have bad dreams!

  • Fantastic dark-humoured circus music
    author: Emma

    Our Latest Catalogue is a refreshingly different album and stands out in my seemingly eclectic CD collection. A tongue-in-cheek approach is needed if to give the CD a fair chance, however you will soon find yourself humming the tune to Coming Attractions and the slapstick feel to Marshmallows-Reprise is great fun. The dark humour is decidedly Tim Burton-esque and the witty subject matter of the songs will have you reading and re-reading the lyrics (handily provided in the sleeve- if only all bands did this!). I'd reccomend this album to anyone who wants a change from the norm, or as a present to put a smile on a lugubrious gothic friend's face.

  • The soundtrack to an imaginary film
    author: Snugradio.co.uk

    This sooooo needs a stop-motion animated movie making so it can be the soundtrack to it. Excellent stuff

  • Inspired Mayhem
    author: Yvette

    Ah, what can be said that hasn't been already? Wonderfully morbid, deliciously bizarre, it's a fun, twisted ride into the greatest sideshow on earth!

  • Freak your kids out!
    author: Seth Kilbourn

    My students are always trying to shock me with their music. Hah, I have the leg up now! Craziness, chops, wonderful musicianship, dark humor and Pennywise the clown all rolled into one. This is not your mother's music appreciation class and you ain't in Kansas anymore!!!!!!!!!

  • Original, Fun, and Daring
    author: The Reverend

    Looking for something a little different. If Tom Waits was raised from a baby by a group of twisted insane clowns muderers that had a jazz band on the side. Might come close to a description of Circus Contraption.

  • my pants are on FIRE!!
    author: Miss Charmaine

    JEEZZZ LOUIZZZ!! What a ride!! Love the album & the live performance was grandios, can't wait to catch another show!

  • good show

    The album is really solid from start to finish. It has fun and clever lyrics and a very unique musical style.

  • Have a Drink with the Animals
    author: Matthew

    Everyone I have played this CD for since i've received it has loved it! People are hoping the C.C. comes to Australia!! The style is well balanced throughout the album. Different vocalists and different voicings from the same vocalists take you to very different places track to track. Brilliant fun!

  • Tim Burton would be proud
    author: ssolie

    Wonderfully dark and rich. Only reason for 4 stars is because the production quality is a bit lower than I would like.

  • Taking the art of evil circus music to a higher level
    author: Owen Gilbride

    Being an avid fan of all things evil circus related,I picked up this cd and was amazed by it.All of the tracks have a wild circus feel and superb lyrics.And it touches on many subjects besides the circus,including death at sea and witch burnings.I highly recommend it.

  • Fabulously wicked!
    author: Mellow

    So great! I was already in love with the band, and therefore biased, but first time listeners consistently want this album for themselves...

  • Disturbing, but unbelievably hilarious!

    I happened to love July Like a Dog - I was laughing so hard I almost cried! It did take 2 or 3 listens before I decided I liked the cd, but the quality of the musicians is superb. Now it's one of my favorite albums.

  • Great Gallows Humor
    author: Circus Contraption

    This CD reminds me of the dark circus in Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes". Come to the Circus, Marshmallows and a Holy Bible, Slaughter's Promenade, and the Animals Are Behind Bars is wickedly upbeat and morbid. Down to the Devil You Go, and As the Children Laugh are dark, and chilling. Some of the tracks like Coming Attractions and July Like a Dog I'm not so wild about. But on the whole it's a great CD, and when I got it I played it non-stop.

  • author: Joseph Post

    Now I would have given this CD 4 stars, it is awesome, I like the music a lot. But...The First Track is the biggest Tom Waits rip-off I have ever heard. Besides that, I really like the CD, and hope to hear more from them in the future.

  • author: CD Baby

    As perfectly described by the band: "Quirky-jerky, loony-croony, gypsy carnival opera music. Tom Waits meets the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Danny Elfman meets Squirrel Nut Zippers." Imagine the soundtrack to a new and wacky sequel of the Nightmare Before Christmas, a carnival of emotionally unstable circus freaks and melodramatic misfits. Or perhaps the music Gary Larson would have drooled over to interpret his cartoons.

  • something wicked this way comes
    author: Patrick G.

    Extremely fun and dark! A must of for every freak!

  • Dark yet funny ... Great..
    author: Jeff (U.K)

    Dark yet funny, I never heard of this album before and came across it quite by chance whilst looking on the cd baby web site for the first time, curious about the title I clicked on the play tracks icon and wow, now this is different. I ordered it straight away and as soon as it arrived put on my player and now it is one of my most favourite cd's. Buy it, you will not be dissapointed can't wait for the next album, good luck to them.

  • So good I want to kill a clown.
    author: Neville Downmouth

    My only gripe about this cd is that I didn't get it sooner. Why hadn't I heard of these guys? As soon as I put the cd on I was grinning like a maniac, it's so insalubrious and jerky and misshapen and I can't turn it off. I want to buy a bible and some clown makeup, put this music on and go pick up hitch hikers. Finally something that's different AND good...

  • Dark Squirrely Nutz Zappas
    author: FLWB

    HBO misssed the boat. This disc could be/should be the soundtrack for their new series Carnivale. Charon's crossing on the River Styx lands you at the circus. Track 3 Marshmallows and The Holy Bible sounds like Rudy Valli joins the Squirrel Nut Zippers at a Barnum & Bailey acid test. For Fans of the Klezmatics and 3Mustaphas3. Recommended

  • This music scares me, but I like it
    author: Jared

    I needed music for my company's booth at a conference; the theme was 'sideshow/carnival,' so we wanted something good and carny that didn't sound like polka music. This is definitely it. People loved it, and we were the busiest booth on the expo floor.

  • A twisted Carnival Ride
    author: Amanda BigPockets

    This album reminds me of a mushroom trip at the circus. The blend of macabre lyrics and twisted carnival music is only for the more black sense of humor. Two thumbs up!!

  • Carnival gone wrong in so many right ways
    author: Nicole Becken

    You could walk down a carnival midway, be blinded by the blinking lights, get sawdust in your shoes, smell the cotton candy and hot dogs, hear the barkers yelling about their attractions and wonder at the glory of it all OR you could buy this CD and have just as a rewarding experience.

  • PURE GENIUS!!
    author: Wendee

    Absolutely Brilliant...Look no more for an innovative CD that is, for lack of a better term...PURE FUN!! All of the performer's mothers should be incredibly proud!

  • Wickedly twisted
    author: Koriana

    The lyrics are wonderfully warped and twisted. Set to circus style music the songs bring to mind a big top circus mixed with the asylum next door. This is a must have for anyone who likes odd lyrics and mixed musical textures.

  • A maniacal brew of carnival music, drama, dark humor and performance art to stir
    author: Tamara D. Turner

    As perfectly described by the members, Circus Contraption is the hallucinogenic concoction of "quirky-jerky, loony-croony, gypsy carnival opera music. Tom Waits meets the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Danny Elfman meets Squirrel Nut Zippers." Imagine the soundtrack to a new and wacky sequel of the Nightmare Before Christmas, a carnival of emotionally unstable, delusional circus freaks and melodramatic misfits. Or perhaps the music Gary Larson would have drooled over to interpret his cartoons. If you've ever wondered what it might be like to bust your bonnet, surrender your sanity, misplace your matter and tweak your ticker, grab a hold of a bottle of this and make your shrink shudder.

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