The Cinematic Orchestra- Ma Fleur

The third full length from Jay Swincoe and Co. sees them live up to their potential of soundtrack work for a film that may or may not be made. Inspired by a series of photographs and three conceptual characters representing the life stages of youth, middle age and an elder, Ma Fleur sails the waters of existentialism. This time around the Cinematics play with more folky arrangements. Where the past two prior albums toyed with FX, knob twiddling and samples significantly more, this LP is a quiet storm of an album. It is intimately organic and the characters that are introduced through the vocals of Patrick Watson, Ex Lamb vocalist- Lou Rhodes and the return of the ever magnificent Fontella Bass are endearing without being overly syrupy. Album opener "That Home" may surprise you with how acoustic the style shift is but hang in there. The “sound” of the Cinematic's is there...evolved. “As The Stars Fall” is a magnificent clanging of drum rolls, electronic synth and stand up bass that reminds of us of the Cinematics of yester-year. The real clencher is “Breathe” in which our oldest protagonist speaks of crossing over to the other side- made all the more intense knowing this may well be Fontella Bass’s swan song as her health is waning. Where “All That You Give” was about missing her late husband Lester Bowie, “Breathe” seems to be about rejoining him. Album closer “To Build A Home” finds our youngest protagonist in transition to middle age with a partner reprising the opening number. The lyrics are quite concise and sparse and while this album comes and goes in a mere forty nine minutes, it’s surprising how much it leaves you with. I’m only sorry it took me so long to acquire it.