New York roots rock favorites Circus Mind are back with an epic new album Road Less Traveled. The band’s fifth release and fourth full-length in 28 years builds on its genre-defying reputation by weaving together classic rock, funk, soul, reggae, jazz and New Orleans influences with exceptional results.
Led by singer, keyboardist and songwriter Mark Rechler, Circus Mind spent the past year releasing digital singles for each of the ten tracks that comprise Road Less Traveled. On the heels of that ambitious rollout, this material has now been packaged together as a complete and proper record.
That’s not to say Road Less Traveled lacks cohesion. In fact, for all of the project ‘s adventurous spirit, this is a carefully sequenced journey that will delight jam band and blues rock aficionados.
The record opens with “The Battle of Brooklyn,” a memorable, groove-driven jam that questions many of the recent pricy redevelopments made to Rechler’s beloved borough. From there, Circus Mind shifts into the psychedelic stomp of “Whole Lotta Nuthin,” a swaggering rocker that asks, “Are you a fake or are you genuine?”
The bright, uplifting “Melt Away” and the downright irresistible “Waste of Time” are classic rock-influenced standouts. Meanwhile “Follow Me Home” settles into a breezy, beach-ready groove shaped by jazz, blues, and colorful percussion.
From there, Road Less Traveled leans into harmonica-fueled blues rock (“Viking Princess”) reggae rhythms (“Barstool Hero”) and the spirit of Dr. John (“NOLA Song”). The project closes with a buoyant, melodic Beatles-tinged winner that fittingly encourages listeners to embrace and celebrate their own individuality.
“Circus Mind albums tend to cover the spectrum of music I love and grew up with,” Rechler says. “Like the circus, we are not just a bunch of clowns. We are acrobats, lion tamers, daredevils, and yes, even a few circus freaks. That is part of what makes the circus the circus.”
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Chris Fasulo, Road Less Traveled finds Rechler joined by drummer Dan Roth, percussionist Steve Finkelstein, bassist Matthew Fox and guitarist Brian Duggan, with guest backing vocals from Chris Butler on the title track.
Circus Mind has been a strong presence among the jam-friendly roots rock landscape since emerging with their eponymous 2002 album. When their acclaimed follow-up Silver Flower arrived in 2006, it was named Best Indie Album of the Year by Newsday. After a significant hiatus, their long-anticipated third studio album Joy Machine dropped in 2021, while their Bioluminate EP was released in 2022.
Along the way, Circus Mind has shared stages with artists including Toots & The Maytals, The Neville Brothers, and The Radiators. The band has also collaborated with members of Soulive, Rebirth Brass Band and Cyril Neville. More recently, they supported Galactic at Brooklyn Bowl (6/27/26).
With those types of experiences giving way to Road Less Traveled, it’s hard not to be in awe of Circus Mind. Once again, Rechler and his band have the ability to dig deep into an array of genres, find the power and the joy within those styles and craft memorable original songs. They do this all while remarkably retaining their own distinct sound.
For more information on Circus Mind — including information about their July 25th performance at the Great South Bay Music Festival alongside Gov’t Mule and Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers in Patchogue, NY — visit here.
