New Cinematics
Anyone that knows me on even a superficial level knows that I’m a sucker for brooding guitars and black leather bass lines. So any time something of that nature floats across my desk I’m bound to snatch it up and prepare it for future placement on a mix tape.
Glasgow’s The Cinematics had already earned a spot on my rotation when they unveiled their debut, A Strange Education, back in ’07. I think I wrote something up on them on Rock Sellout, though it could have been Mark, since our musical tastes so frequently crossed paths. Point being, I already liked them, so less work on their behalf trying to get me to listen.
When the band first caught my attention, they seemed very Franz Ferdinand-ish. Not a bad thing, really, but they’ve clearly restructured a bit. I hate to bring up Echo & The Bunnymen so often lately, but there are obviously a host of new bands out there that look to McCulloch & co for inspiration. And there’s an unmistakable echo (har har) of the Liverpudlians in the new material. Perhaps it’s because they’ve brought the guitar front-and-center and seem to have relegated what synth sounds they’ve kept to the background. There were times when ‘Break’, for example, was reminiscent of The Killers/The Bravery, so I say good on them for trying something a little darker.
Apparently the band have been through several behind-the-scenes shakeups, including a new record label. Their previous home, New York indie TVT Records – also base of operations to Guided By Voices, Towers of London and The Polyphonic Spree – went bankrupt last year, and were acquired by The Orchard. The band also went through a lineup change, replacing previous lead guitarist Ramsey Miller with Larry Reid. All this excitement delayed the release of their sophomore album, Love and Terror, which will now see release on October 6th.
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The Cinematics – Love and Terror
TOUR DATES:
08-23 Hamburg, Germany – Hamburg’s Stadtpark (with Amy MacDonald, sold out)
09-10 Utrecht, Netherlands – Ekko
09-11 Eindhoven, Netherlands – Effenaar
09-12 Rotterdam, Netherlands – Rotown
09-13 Haarlem, Netherlands – Patronaat
09-14 Antwerp, Belgium – Trix Club
09-16 Nürnberg, Germany – MUZ Club
09-18 Berlin, Germany – Magnet Club
09-19 Bremen, Germany – Tower
09-21 Frankfurt, Germany – Nachtleben
09-22 Düsseldorf, Germany – Pretty Vacant
09-23 Münster, Germany – AMP Club
09-24 Munich, Germany – Atomic Café
09-25 Geldern, Germany – Seven
09-26 Hamburg, Germany – Reeperbahn Festival
09-28 Zurich, Switzerland – Hafenkneipe
09-30 Rome, Italy – Circolo degli Artisti
10-01 Fucecchio, Florence, Italy – La Limonaia
10-02 Bologna, Italy – Covo Club
10-03 Treviso, Italy – New Age
11-19 Bremen, Germany – Tower
11-20 Halle, Germany – Klub Drushba
11-23 Cologne, Germany – Gebäude9
11-26 Freiburg, Germany – Waldsee
11-27 Augsburg, Germany – Kantine
11-28 Hannover, Germany – Café Glocksee
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