The Cinematic Orchestra's long awaited new album, 'Ma Fleur' was recently released to very divided reviews around the globe. The BBC online's reviewer called it a "reeking letdown... dreary and directionless", whilst the musicOMH.com critic wrote: "with its frequent emotional crescendos, then quiet dying away, 'Ma Fleur' is more than a match for its predecessors, and will undoubtedly cement The Cinematic Orchestra's reputation as intellectually sustaining performers of beautiful, emotive music'.
All the reviews have presented quite a contrast, so it was with some trepidation that I approached the new album. However, I decided that I would give it a good listen rather than make hasty judgements, and I have to say that I'm glad I have, because this album is a real grower.
Jason Swinscoe, The Cinematic Orchestra's founder and leader wrote 'Ma Fleur' as the soundtrack to an imaginary (and as yet, unmade) screenplay he worked on with a long time friend and collaborator.
Some fans used to the band's familiar sound may feel that there is little solid here to grab onto, and it is true that the album is about spaces and feelings, with grand (but potentially pretentious) themes of the passage of time, life and death. However, given a sustained listen, it is impossible to not find the beauty and immensely moving flow within.
The opening track, 'To Build A Home' has been derided in some reviews as being very stylistically like piano tracks from Coldplay but from what I know of them I can hear no comparison. Canadian newcomer Patrick Watson's guest vocals on this track are gorgeous, and help set the album up for the emotional journey that it takes you on.
The second track, 'Familiar Ground' is a haunting song and one of the highlights of the album, with Fontella Bass on vocals. The legendary Bass is now in poor health, having suffered a series of strokes, and the track seems to reflect this frailty, and the fragility of life. 'Child Song', 'As the Stars Fall' and 'Breathe' are also highlights of this release.
Where the album possibly falls down is in the title track, 'Ma Fleur' which is a slightly ponderous filler, and also the acoustic guitar track, 'Music Box' which despite the tender undercurrents feels like it could really have been recorded by a countless number of musicians.
The album finale is the 8'42" long 'Time And Space'. This is a blissfully serene offering with ex-Lamb singer Lou Rhodes, which slowly unfolds into a beautiful track with supple beats and upbeat piano chords.
Don't expect to be blown away immediately by The Cinematic Orchestra's new disc. Jason Swinscoe has evolved musically, and wants you to take the trip with him. This album requires some work of the listener, but is well worth the time for the exquisitely emotional journey it takes you. 8/10
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The Cinematic Orchestra - 'Time and Space'
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I really need to get their album
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I've been playing "Ma Fleur" in the MOG office for a couple of days now, and you're right, it is a grower. It really needs to be listened to alone or with headphones on, 'cause it's so quietly powerful. And it works really well as a companion to the newest Nostalgia 777 album.
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Excellent album, my favs are Patrick Watsons tracks. Thanks again Outside gang.
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Say it ain't so Jonathan - I had no idea our girl Ms. Bass was of so ill health. She's the soul of those tracks... glad you're liking it more & more with each listen. I find that to often be the case with albums that stay with me for years to come !!!
Ma Fleur is gonna have to go onto Ma Pod in the near future :) Gotta get to the store - maybe tomorrow at lunch.
Great selection of tracks for us to enjoy !!!
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I like Bass' voice, nice song. But anything that features Lou Rhodes is incredible. I just adore her & her voice is just amazing. I'm a huge fan of Lamb & love Lou's first solo cd which you can read my posts with those links. My avatar is a pic of Lamb too, lol. Loving that song w/her on it since it sounds so much like a Lamb track!
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@ kiddo: This one has just been released. If you haven't heard any of their previous stuff, I suggest you try 'Motion' or 'Everyday' to start with.
@ Kate: Alone right in front of a set of good speakers is how I've been listening to it. I haven't heard the new Nostalgia 777 album. Fistula was just recommending it to me the other day.
@ davesonic: Glad you like, particularly given how much the albums seems to be splitting fans.
@ Lizzie: Yes, sad but true. I read an interview with jason Swinscoe where he said that the sessions with Fontella Bass were quite difficult, because she was constantly forgetting things. (BTW, 'Ma Pod' - I like!)
@ August: Haven't heard Lou Rhodes solo effort, but possibly should chase it up 'cos I think her voice is amazing too.
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I'll listen to it somewhen in future. I like their previous released music. The posted tracks and your hints make clear, that you can't listen to it alongside. Thanks for the well-balanced review.
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Jonathan, are you a member of Multiply.com? I posted Lou's solo cd on my site over there sometime back, you can check it out here .
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Thanks for mentioning the link to Patrick Watson, I am a fan of his
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@ Darmuzz: Hadn't heard of him before this, but I like his voice a lot. Might have to chase him up. Do you know much about him?
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No, not a lot - I just like his sound & the look of his performances on TV and videos
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Jonathan - downloaded it last night - & methinks that the folks at iTunes got some of the songs in the wrong locales... Time & Space is in the middle of my album on Ma Pod (glad you liked ;) )
The important thing though - this song - Time & Space, I can't stop repeating it. Just as you say, it unfolds & envelopes me in such a gentle embrace. I am enjoying it all the more - the more I listen. I really need to stop playing T&S on repeat but it's so hard... when I find a song on an album that speaks to me - I don't want to let it go until I know it intimately. Once the piano & strings come in over the atmospheric background... I just melt. Who needs a massage when you have Cinematic Orchestra ;)
I think Ma Fleur will grow on me quite a bit - but even with my first listen - I am very fond of it. Really, I guess for me it boils down to the fact that J. Swinscoe can do no wrong when it comes to my ears.
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Excellent! Can you re-order the tracks so they play in the right album order? (I've never quite worked how to do it in iTunes). Might be worth a try though, 'cos it's kinda interesting to hear the flow of them in the order they were designed. Mind you, with ipods & shuffle these days, I guess the idea of an album being listened in a specific order has gone out the window really...
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Oh, this would be perfect for today's cool, breezy weather.
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Very nice, thanks!
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Great track. Not heard a lot of theirs but will certainly keep an eye out. Thanks.
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@ Flower: there's also a booklet that comes with the cd which has a photo for each track - although in no particular order. They're mostly peopleless urban landscapes designed to evoke emotions, much like the music does.
@ nicki: been raining and windy here today - perfect for that too.
@ kristiana: glad you like
@ skjs: see my previous post here on them for an idea of what some of their other stuff is like.
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you are so right! It is absolutely a georgous track.......ahhhh....refreshing
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I've been a big fan of the CO since heard Jason Bentley from KCRW spin them a few years ago and this new album does have a companion feel to the rest of the band's output. I've been digging into the Cluster/Eno work from the mid 70's the last week as a way to provide perspective as I absorb atmospheric music. My perspective is that the CO is innovating and entertaining, bloody good job!
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@ glammer: I've just been distinctly downmarket with one of lizziegreeneyes posts about a fart in a mitten (and other very lowbrow comments), so it's very nice to come back here for some clean air - as you said... refreshing
@ markheyert: Hope you're going to post something about Cluster &/or Eno. Have got none in my digital music collection at all, and I'm sure they'll get a good audience here on mOg.
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take a deep breath and....ahhh.....ENJOY......clean air....LOL
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Really lovin' this stuff.
Will be picking up their music very soon!
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I have to say when I first heard this album I was POed. Definitely not what I was expecting. "Ma Fleur" probably won't be at the top of my favorite album stack, but I do appreciate them for doing something slightly different than what most people would expect.
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I'm really loving "To Build A Home" right now. Patrick is amazing. The rest of the album has yet to grab ahold of me, but in due time....
I'll have to thank KCRW's podcast for intro'ing me to these folks!
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Finally downloaded and glad I did. Thanks for the recommendation.
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Glad you like.