Along with the dawn of the twenty first century came a musical movement called the post-punk revival that brought us bands like The Strokes and The Killers. These are groups that strive to sound like bands from two decades ago while keeping a finger on the pulse of modern times and pop culture. Arriving late on the scene of this “revival,” The Cinematics, a four piece band from Scotland, released their debut album A Strange Education in 2007, beginning a rise to prominence that is still unfolding.
The debut release was filled with inventive beats, memorable guitar riffs, infectious melodies, intense lyrics, powerhouse vocals, and plenty of post-punk angst. It received generally positive reviews and established a solid fan base for the band. However, some critics dismissed the project as being stale and tagged The Cinematics as a band that was retreading old ground, having been left behind by the founding groups of the post-punk revival.
Now, as if to answer their critics, The Cinematics have delivered a sophomore album that bravely explores new, darker territory in their genre and that establishes them as a fresh and unique presence on the alt. rock scene.
The album Love and Terror was created after TVT Record Company collapsed in bankruptcy, causing the band to be passed off to a New York based company called, The Orchard. According to the band, this move allowed for more artistic freedom when creating music for their second album.
Benefiting from this new creative freedom, Love and Terror is a collection of songs with distinctive character, pulsing energy, and intriguing moodiness. It is fueled by emotion and seems to flirt with Goth stylings, offering a sound that is organic and, at times, even sparse (in a good way).
The album features Adam Goemans on bass, Larry Reid on guitar (replacing former band mate Ramsay Miller), and Ross Bonney on drums. Scott Rinning contributes nuanced lead vocals and some guitar work. Extra instruments are tastefully reserved and used sparingly enough to make the instances of their inclusion have more impact.
The album wastes no time warming up, roaring to life with a pulsing opening track titled “All These Things.” The song, a stand-out from the album, strikes a somewhat forbidding and threatening tone that sets the pace for entire album. The chorus finds Rinning’s vocal trading off with a syncopated guitar riff that burns itself into the mind.
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1 - jason spraggins
*The Cinematic tour of the states will begin in early 2010 (not 2009, of course).