A Strange Education [ENHANCED]

The Cinematics

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: February 19, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Tvt
• ASIN: B000M5AJUO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #109,487 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

NME, November 2005
"Besides having the best voice we've heard...lead singer Scott looks better than Tom Cruise and drinks better than Christian Slater."

Product Description
"The sound of rainbows bursting through the tarmac of the big city." This is how NME described the sound of Scottish foursome the Cinematics. Like so many of the current crop of 80's influenced UK acts, the band elicits the cold, grey, stark and sometimes austere side of life in the North. Powered by tight grooves that demand movement and passionate, powerful and thoughtful vocals, the Cinematics also bring emotion and warmth. The end result is music that transcends any trends or underground niche.

Their debut album, "A Strange Education," is a stunning collection of dance-punk grooves and guitar interplay with lead vocalist Scott Rinning's ardent vocal delivery. Even in his early twenties, Rinning's voice reveals a power and gravity well beyond his years. The Cinematics' singles, "Break," and "Keep Forgetting," each find a place that resonates in your heart and in your mind. The stirring "Human" is one of those special songs that sends chills up your spine.

Already too "big" sounding for the small club stages they've been playing in America up to this point, the Cinematics live show is flawless. Powerful, tight and often inspirational, a Cinematics show reminds you of those special times when you saw legendary acts before the rest of the world.

The current single "Break" will be followed by "Keep Forgetting" and its brilliant video which captures the band in a modern version of classic French New Wave Cinema. "A Strange Education" cd will contain both of these songs' accompanying videos, as well as two additional live videoclips of the band performing on Dutch TV show "London Calling." The band is touring with Mute Math from March through May.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You crazy Scots! You're awesome!, April 7, 2007

By	L. Krogstad (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I recently heard The Cinematics live. They were opening for Mute Math (check them out, but not right now) in Minneapolis, and when they walked on the stage I'll bet most of the audience was thinking, "Please just get this over with so we can see Mute Math...." But then they started their set, and I present to you the progression of our collective thoughts:

-"Heh, his accent is funny."
-"Wait, they're playing now. This isn't so bad."
-"Hey, this song is cool."
-"Huh, I'm straight, but the lead singer is umm...good looking AND funny."
-"Wow, this song is awesome!"
-"Yeah!! You guys rock!"
-"Play another one!!"
-"We love you, you awesome Scottish people!"
-"No, don't go!!!"

The crowd was a bit subdued at first, but after the first couple songs, everyone realized these guys were for real, in fact, why were they even here in this little club? I suppose everyone has to start somewhere.

The lead singer has a spectacular voice, their songs are very well written, and they're a lot of fun to listen to. I'm buying their album right after writing this review (the sample clips sounded just as good as their live performance), and you should buy it too. Yes, they're that good.

Now go look up Mute Math :)

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Bunch, April 3, 2007

By	Tankery "Tankery" (New Orleans) - See all my reviews

More powerful vocals than Interpol, more quality music than much of the post punk 80s inspired alternatives, and better songs than the Strokes period, this album rocks with a post punk attitude of sensitive aggressions.

Stark landscapes are etched with much uptempo energy. While they're from Scotland they lend themselves more to that LA/NY post apocalyptic edgy dark inclinations of The National and such.

Love this album. Lacks the perkiness of Brit-pop thank you and hasn't any weak cuts.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning, April 14, 2007

By	Art "artieedge" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Passionate with a spirit of punk and goth, almost like pre-Joshua Tree U2 at times and solo Peter Murphy at others, this is one of the best debuts to come out in ages. After an initial listen, I was ready to dismiss these guys as another in a long line of Interpol clones, but after a second attempt I was HOOKED. The closer - Asleep at the Wheel - is simply amazing; it begs to be heard loud. Can't wait to hear them live.