Formally of rock band Saosin, and currently the lead vocalist of Philadelphia-based alt-rock band Circa Survive, Anthony Green has been creating waves in the music scene with his powerful vocals since 2002. After releasing his first solo record, Avalon in 2008, Green has pushed himself back into the music pool with the release of his sophomore album, Beautiful Things and he is being welcomed with open arms.
While Circa Survive is known for their experimental style of alternative rock, Green shows all his musical talent in Beautiful Things, incorporating not just his roots, but country, pop, and even punk-rock styles of sound. To say Green is a man of one sound would be an understatement. The album opens up with the track “If I Don’t Sing”. Starting with strong harmonies, the track leads into an alt-country tempo, continuing on to a chorus that one can’t help but sing along to. It is followed by “Do It Right”, an a cappella number, but creating a beat by taps and clapping. The next track, which is also the newest single released from the album, is “Get Yours While You Can.” Maps and Atlases’ guitarist Dave Davison plays strongly on the track, shelling out some awesome riffs, while Good Old War drummer Tim Arnold gives the song great beat and rhythm. The album features not just these two friends, but others as well. Backing vocals can be heard from Circa Survive’s Colin Frangicetto on “How It Goes” and “Soul 4 My Soul”, and from Canadian electropop artist LIGHTS on “Just to Feel Alive”. Chino Moreno from Deftones, Nate Ruess from fun., and Ida Maria lend their voices to the bonus tracks “Right Outside”, “Only Love”, and “Can’t Be Satisfied”. The entire backing band of the album is also performed by Good Old War, giving the album a stronger sound.
Though having good friends on an album definitely makes it stronger, lyrics also help hold it together. Musical style isn’t the only difference noted in Green’s sophomore album. After going through positive life changes, like getting married and having his first child, James, Green has opened up a new chapter of lyrical details. Normally armed with vague metaphors, Green’s album is now supplied with real-life experiences and personal details. While some of the lyrics can be seen as bitter, such as “Big Mistake” with the lyrics: “How could I ever think that I could feel the same passion as you, when I know it’s not true”, they can also be taken as tender. The sweeter moments are shown when Green is singing about his new son James, such as in the song “James’ Song”, with the line “the whole world is spinning around James”. There can be no doubt that Green is in a much happier place, and due to this, the music world has been graced with the descriptively and correctly titled album, Beautiful Things.