If you don’t know what Psychic Babble is, well then you are not a Circa Survive fan. If you don’t know what Circa Survive is, then I’m sorry, you should be google searching it right now. But if you don’t, I’ll help you out here; Circa Survive is a band out of Philly, Pennsylvania that have been in the alternative rock scene for quite some time. Their first three albums, the latest one being 2010’s Blue Sky Noise, have all done respectively well in their genre, creating an INCREDIBLY devoted fan base. Even lead singer Anthony Green’s personal side project has garnered a massive following. No matter if it’s Circa Survive or just Anthony Green, each album feels fresh and exciting, and are still some of my favorite albums in my large collection of music.

So that might make me a *tiny* bit biased, but that doesn’t take away from Circa guitarist Colin Frangicetto debut solo album My Brother’s Ears/My Sister’s Eyes is just as good as the rest of his Circa family’s music.

Colin Frangicetto, or Psychic Babble’s first album delivers on both the tone of his quintet’s guitar parts (that’s a bit obvious) and the melodic, relaxing power that Anthony Green uses in his own work. The biggest difference between the two are simple; Green’s first album Avalon is a “him and his guitar” sort of album, while Colin’s has his iconic guitar sound, but has a multitude of effects and synths that accompany his songs. And in all honesty, though I still enjoy Avalon, My Brothers Ears’ replay-ability trumps it.

The opening song “Five Fold Kiss (Don’t Sleep) is an incredibly layered track, as Colin’s voice resembles a bit of Foster the People’s Mark Foster. “Nothing Familiar” sounds like a B-Side of Circa Survive’s latest single “I Felt Free” (which happens to be my favorite track off of Blue Sky Noise); it’s not a bad thing at all, just a little observation. “Boulevard” sounds like a good time psychedelic romp, and probably the closest thing to a first single.

Why I like My Brother’s Eyes/My Sister’s Ears so much isn’t because of how “loud” it is in parts, but how mellow it is throughout. Even it’s loudest song has its moments of slow and beautiful clarity. Songs like “You Said It,” “Samantha,” and “Let Me In” all are pieces that I can imagine people laying out and relaxing to. The album is never boring, while still being able to let me drift off when I would want it too.

I’m not saying that Psychic Babble’s debut is good because Colin Frangicetto is a part of Circa Survive. I’m not saying that it’s good because it reminds me of Anthony Green’s solo project. I like Psychic Babble because of how it sounds, and how complete the album is. There is no dominant single off of the record, but that’s why it’s that good. It made me want to finish the record. And it will want me to finish it again and again. If you’re a Circa Survive/Anthony Green fan, then there’s no excuse to not getting this record. For everyone else, it’s still a great album to add to your collection.

Final Grade: B+

Go Download – “Nothing Familiar,” “Boulevard”