A few years ago I caught a live performance by Scots indie band Cinematics in Liverpool and was impressed. But that’s aS far as it went and the band became a distant memory. We then heard that one of our favourite singer/songwriters Carina Round was back in the States and playing alongside the Cinematics in LA. But we still had no received any music from the band including the debut album A STRANGE EDUCATION which had met with critical acclaim and sales success. Then out of the blue arrived the band’s two recent (good) singles followed by their latest album. The accompanying biography described the traumas the band had gone through, including a building fire and bankrupt record company, problems that would have made most acts give up the ghost…

So what’s the new album like and is the band back on track? Gone is the over-dressed production and in its place is a record thatsounds like it was recorded in single, live takes. ‘All These These Things’ opens proceedings with a simple, straight forward indie rocker that fails to excite me, although I’m reminded of the band’s excellent playing skills and Scott Rinnings fine vocal quality. The song has a rock-solid melody and good lyrics but misses that ’something’ to inspire. ‘She Talks To Trees’ adds a stronger rhythmic presence, more expressive vocal with some pleasant guitar riffs. Better… ‘New Mexico’ ups the stakes dramatically with a sound that reminds me of Arcade Fire and the Maccabees. It’s an epic pop-rocker with magical melody and the most passionate vocal on the album. The instrumental arrangement is up there with the best while the choruses are hair-raising. Great!” ‘Love And Terror’ opens with ocean-deep bass guitar strum in a song whose vibe is dark and threatening. There are extended guitar and keyboard passages that set the song apart, and another expressive vocal. ‘Lips Taste Like Tears’ follows a very similar recipe but drops the pace to glacial.

‘Wish (When The Bank Collapses)’ is a topical, reflective narrative with a strong bass rhythm, wandering vibe, and tangible melody. It’s also one of the album’s highlights. ‘Hospital Bills’ is another contemplative, downbeat tune with ghostly backing vocals that builds gradually to an exciting guitar-led crescendo, and finally fading hearttbeats. Not bad at all… Concluding song, ‘Hard For Young Lovers,’ ends the album on a slow-moving and emotional high.

The album is reflective of the band’s USA experiences and as a return to the land of the living represents a confident return. But the competition is tough out there and includes heavy rock bands that are treading the same emotional (pop-sensability) boards with far more emotional pulling-power, excitement and drama. The Cinematics have made a welcome and satisfactory return with this album, but I know the guys can and will do even better…

3.5/5