Flying Circles
Of Loving Grace [CS; Antiquated Future]

Of Loving Grace brings forth a melancholy about a not-too-distant past that I never had nostalgia for, until I really had to sit and think about it because I’m afraid Flying Circles are never going to get their fair due. It was not even a decade ago that an arms race of up and coming blogs would engage in secretive measures to “break” a band or artist. Sure, the fallout years later was lofty expectations from a rabid “indie” fan base that wanted second and third albums as exciting (and yet completely the same) as a band’s first taste of minor success, but now blogs are just filled up with tidbits about Kanye, Drake, Gaga and other boring fringe shit that people both love and hate for nothing more than clicks. And so, whereas ten years ago a band like Flying Circles may have had a chance, they now become a loved pop rock band that will receive little “indie” attention because Of Loving Grace is on a small cassette label. But Antiquated Future and Flying Circles should not disparage, oh no. It’s probably for the best, because I can only imagine where they go after Of Loving Grace. It’s truly an inspirational pop rock suite and I feel terrible that AF’s main man Joshua felt compelled to offer some sort of masked apology for “[not] releasing tapes that are especially Cerberus-like.” Let me set the record straight right here: if you’re a band or label releasing a limited run of your blood, sweat, and tears (cliche alert), we’ll fucking listen. Especially when you’re Flying Circles and you make a near-perfect rock record like Of Loving Grace. There’s no effort involved on our end (and we’re lazy). There are zero boundaries in music, and it’s time that bands and labels stop thinking in terms of record store bin titles. Cerberus certainly doesn’t (okay, we’re not going to likely cover your Mraz or O.A.R. sounding bands but party on, Wayne), and I’m glad because we can all group hug the shit out of this tape. And yet we won’t treat it like a secret code, either. So I’m asking everyone who reads this review — this section, even — to stand up and shout about these cassettes and records you love. I’m doing it now above the pop star din that drives clicks elsewhere. But don’t hug them too long, we don’t want to make this awkward.

Cerberus

Cerberus seeks to document the spate of home recorders and backyard labels pressing limited-run LPs, 7-inches, cassettes, and objet d’art with unique packaging and unknown sound. We love everything about the overlooked or unappreciated. If you feel you fit such a category, email us here.

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