*Buy this CD with another eligible title and pay no more than £9 for both (terms and conditions apply). Just look for any album with this message, put it in your basket with a second eligible title and the discount will be applied at checkout. Offer ends June 30, 2013. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Track Listings
| 1. To Build A Home |
| 2. Familiar Ground feat Fontella Bass |
| 3. Child Song |
| 4. Music Box feat Patrick Watson |
| 5. Prelude |
| 6. As The Stars Fall |
| 7. Into You feat |
| 8. Ma Fleur |
| 9. Breathe feat Fontella Bass |
| 10. That Home feat Patrick Watson |
| 11. Time And Space feat Lou Rhodes |
| 12. As Much As I Ever Could |
Product Description
Review
Ma Fleur, long-awaited fifth composition from suave electro-jazz pioneers, The Cinematic Orchestra, is a reeking letdown - and in a way which only a British album could be. Listening to it is not unlike waiting for a train which never turns up.
You're longing to be transported somewhere - preferably to that realm of euphoria to which critics testified in their ardent praise of previous Orchestra efforts. And, quite typically, nothing comes. When the album finishes you're still slumped in the same spot - fifty-four minutes older and a good deal more jaded.
Opening track ''To Build A Home'' is a dismal forecast of things to come. It's cheerless and aloof, and its wandering vocals and plodding piano will leave Orchestra fans heartily holding back Coldplay comparisons.
Follow-up, ''Familiar Ground'', is a rare highlight, thanks to the sturdy vocals of accomplished soul singer Fontella Bass.
But it isn't long before normal service is resumed, and we're soon left tutting and sighing once more. The clutter of instrumental tracks in the middle of the album is painfully barren. The Orchestra seem far too eager to make an emotional impact. The result is clumsy and uncomfortable, with their sweaty-palms failing to get the slightest grip on our heartstrings.
In interviews, Orchestra main-man Jason Swinscoe has described Ma Fleur as the soundtrack for an 'imagined film'. And we should be grateful for that - without the make-believe storyboard, it's not hard to imagine this record lapping over into structureless self-indulgence.
On an emotional level Ma Fleur is far too acute and dreadfully artificial. Soundwise it's dreary and directionless - most unlikely to secure your affection. Far more interesting will be the sound of multitudes of music critics, as they rush to retract their premature hailing of Swinscoe as a nu-jazz genius. --Robert Jackman
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Review
"A raw and overwhelming surge of soul. Deeply moving." -- Mojo, 4/5 - A Lead Review
"Achieves a rare kind of poise, hovering between jazz, soul and orchestral soundtrack. They have never sounded so convincing than on this." -- Q
"Something Special." -- Observer Music Monthly 4/5 - A Top 10 Album
"The Cinematic Orchestra move closer towards a plain occupied by no other. Honest and pure. Jason Swinscoe's compositions stun with their originality." -- Blues and Soul
"You'd be very fortunate to hear another record this incredible this year." -- Word
"Achieves a rare kind of poise, hovering between jazz, soul and orchestral soundtrack. They have never sounded so convincing than on this." -- Q
"Something Special." -- Observer Music Monthly 4/5 - A Top 10 Album
"The Cinematic Orchestra move closer towards a plain occupied by no other. Honest and pure. Jason Swinscoe's compositions stun with their originality." -- Blues and Soul
"You'd be very fortunate to hear another record this incredible this year." -- Word
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By BJ
Format:Audio CD
I'm a little tired of reading reviews by people who expect artists to keep churning out the same old stuff. It's particularly disappointing from Cinematics fans - who you would have thought would be more open minded than most.
If you're looking for a rehash of Everyday or Motion, you will be disappointed with this. It is a pretty big departure from those two outstanding records. On Ma Fleur, Swinscoe has gone for a more song-based approach. I think the most interesting comment of the reviews on here so far is the comparison with Antony & the Johnsons - the songs featuring Patrick Watson definitely share something in common with those guys. And I guess maybe that shouldn't have been such a big surprise when you combine the Cinematics' lush orchestration with broken-hearted torch songs. For me, this combination - new territory for this group - works wonderfully well.
I think the biggest disappointment for old school Cinematic Orchestra fans may be the marked absence of rhythm on this record. Luke Flowers is a brilliant drummer, and his propulsive beats were a key feature of Motion and, in particular, Everyday. He barely features here. But then this is entirely in keeping with the whole feel of Ma Fleur - intimate, downbeat, tender and heartbroken.
Is it as good as Motion and Everday? Probably not, when it comes down to it. Ultimately, I think the Cinematic Orchestra are better at creating powerful, brooding instrumentals than they are at writing torch songs. But this is still an excellent - and brave - record.
If you're looking for a rehash of Everyday or Motion, you will be disappointed with this. It is a pretty big departure from those two outstanding records. On Ma Fleur, Swinscoe has gone for a more song-based approach. I think the most interesting comment of the reviews on here so far is the comparison with Antony & the Johnsons - the songs featuring Patrick Watson definitely share something in common with those guys. And I guess maybe that shouldn't have been such a big surprise when you combine the Cinematics' lush orchestration with broken-hearted torch songs. For me, this combination - new territory for this group - works wonderfully well.
I think the biggest disappointment for old school Cinematic Orchestra fans may be the marked absence of rhythm on this record. Luke Flowers is a brilliant drummer, and his propulsive beats were a key feature of Motion and, in particular, Everyday. He barely features here. But then this is entirely in keeping with the whole feel of Ma Fleur - intimate, downbeat, tender and heartbroken.
Is it as good as Motion and Everday? Probably not, when it comes down to it. Ultimately, I think the Cinematic Orchestra are better at creating powerful, brooding instrumentals than they are at writing torch songs. But this is still an excellent - and brave - record.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Buy this record. Seriously that's all you need to know.
It doesn't matter who this is by or what they used to sound like, this collection of songs stands on its own as a thing of absolute beauty. I can't remember the last time I was so blown away by an album - and I listen to a lot of music.
This is from the very top of the top drawer. Truely exceptional.
It doesn't matter who this is by or what they used to sound like, this collection of songs stands on its own as a thing of absolute beauty. I can't remember the last time I was so blown away by an album - and I listen to a lot of music.
This is from the very top of the top drawer. Truely exceptional.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By DaveW
Format:Audio CD
I'm new to the Cinematic Orchestra but I enjoyed this album as a simple, mellow collection of jazz tracks, some more modern than others in style. Minimalist in places and yet quite listenable, making this far less pretentious than I had first assumed. My only complaint regards the opening track ("To build a home") which is alarmingly close to the inexplicably popular blandness of Coldplay (well, if it makes the Cinematics music more accessible to a wider audience, I'll forgive them that on this occasion). Aside from that, I rather like this album and, if the other reviews are to be believed, their other work is substantially better, which can't be bad.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 21 reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ma Fleur
Bought this after a visit to a planetarium and heard one of these tracks during a presentation. I now play it everywhere I go.
Published 26 days ago by WILLIAM F DOHERTY
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic album
fantastic album but i havent found an album of theirs i dont enjoy fully as yet
listen.. and listen deeply :)
listen.. and listen deeply :)
Published 2 months ago by bertie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Highlights though a less polished prodict
Sounds a bit like something that evolved on the fly in the studio. Not to say that's a disaster, simply it's not an album of many "songs/tunes" per se: more like a... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mark
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Ma Fleur" is a reasonably good album, but lacks depth and excitement...
I have always enjoyed the music written, recorded and released by The Cinematic Orchestra as they blend Jazz with modern beats, synthesisers and melodies. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Amillionmiles
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great band, a really great band
In many ways this is a beautiful recording, light, spacious music, beautifully played. It just doesn't really add up to the sum of its parts. Read more
Published 20 months ago by pete4shez
2.0 out of 5 stars
Didn't expect this!
I have nearly all the Cinematic Orchestra albums at this stage. I really love their sound and the vibe they give off. Read more
Published on 20 April 2011 by Michael Mccarthy
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have album
Pretentious drivel from Robert Jackman. This album is a masterpiece. Just buy it, enjoy it, and you will not be disappointed.
Published on 15 Jan 2011 by Dorset man
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing. Also perfect music to work/revise to.
Anyone who gives this below 4 stars is flat out crazy. This was actually the first of their albums I heard (I now have all of them), and think they are all equally brilliant. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2010 by lg1503
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
I bought this album when it came out, listened to it a couple of times and some how forgot about it, last weekend I found it on the shelf and haven't stopped listening since. Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2009 by Paul Dennis
4.0 out of 5 stars
one track is all i like but its a real good one
most of this stuff is pretty boring for me but there again im not a longterm follower of cinematic orchestra i bought it for the track "to build a home" which i think is thoroughly... Read more
Published on 30 April 2009 by Terence G. Callachan
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
