Circa Survive in concert are a force to be reckoned with, something that was abundantly clear in their performance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon earlier this year. In choosing to go acoustic—a move they’ve made quite often lately, if the glut of video sessions available online is any evidence— for their Daytrotter Session, Circa sadly missed an opportunity to take advantage of Daytrotter’s uniquely-equipped studio and reams of vintage performance gear. Nor did they pick material which really highlights their finest qualities: daring technical guitar leads, a propulsive rhythm section, and most notably Anthony Green’s keening vocals— here they’re alternately raspy on the low end and seriously pitchy at the high end.

Opener “The Spirit Of The Stairwell,” a perfectly placed haunting respite from the angst surrounding it on Blue Sky Noise, is a one-note meander out of context. Similarly, “I Felt Free,” perhaps the high point of that album, is slowed to an energy-free plod here, sucked dry of its searing atmospherics and rhythmic churn.

“Every Way,” a jaunty Blue Sky Noise B-side, fares well with the acoustic treatment; unfortunately, it’s nearly identical to the version released as an iTunes bonus track with the album. The best of the bunch is “Strange Terrain,” with its hypnotic guitar line effecting a bluesiness and soulfulness missing from the rest of the EP, drums finally brought to the fore. It’s the only track here that comes close to capturing that energetic force the band is capable of generating at their best.

Circa Survive’s Daytrotter Session isn’t bad per se; its just inessential, largely less than the sum of its parts. Bottom line: if you’re not a fan of Circa Survive, this is no place to start; if you are, it still might not merit more than a cursory listen.

**/*****

*This review was composed by Jesse Richman