Search - Cinerama :: This Is Cinerama

For completists--but also a very good starting point

Joe | Overseas | 12/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"30% of this CD is on Va Va Voom, but the other B-Sides and unreleased tracks are a treat for fans and those unfamiliar with Cinerama's majestic sound. This is pop bliss--much as I like the Wedding Present, there is simply a better variety of songs and melodies on Cinerama's (now 3) CDs. And don't buy the reviews that compare Cinerama exclusively with John Barry and Burt Bacharach. At times they're closer to the more sophisticated (but delightful) Squeeze, Costello, songs from the 70s/early 80s, but with Gedge's more earthy vocals. When listening, I also have flashbacks of the Field Mice, early Morrissey, Shane MacGowan's more lush direction--hell I'd even throw in a nod to some of the more British sounding Paul McCartney recordings from the 70s. If you love wonderfully melodic Wedding Present songs such as "Spangle" off of Watusi, remove the subtle but annoying 78 RPM sound and add wonderful pop production techniques--that should get you in Cinerama's ballpark. Terry Hall used to make pop music this perfect...Cinerama's got the hot hand as we turn this new decade."

If You Already Own Va Va Voom ....

R.G. | Dana Point, CA USA | 04/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Despite being a big Cinerama fan, and loving everything they've done, I was hesitant to purchase "This is Cinerama." I already owned the U.S. release of "Va Va Voom," and there appeared to be quite a bit of overlap (around 6 songs) between the two CD's.As it turned out, there's plenty of original, superb, material on "This is Cinerama," making it absolutely worth the separate purchase. The CD even contains an interesting cover of the Smith's "London."By the way, the converse hold's true. If you already own "This is Cinerama," and have been hesitant to purchase "Va Va Voom," well .... again, plenty of great stuff on "Va Va Voom," making it worth the separate purchase.The only thing that I don't love about the CD--yet--is a couple of the re-mixes of Cinerama songs. However, they do seem to be slowly growing on me."

Great stuff

S. Jackson | Pennsylvania | 11/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once I find something that I enjoy, I tend to stick with it. I still listen to The Wedding Present's Seamonsters and Bizarro on a daily basis. Just last year I finally ordered the two-CD singles and the 95-97 singles. I was shocked to hear the female vocals in the latter, because that just wasn't the view that I had of TWP over the last 10 to 15 years. Well, if you liked the sound of the 95-97 singles, especially the female vocals, you'll love this CD. If you liked where he was taking TWP towards the end, then "This is Cinerama" is the next logical step. Do not expect the TWP sound at all, because its just not there. The only hint of TWP is in the sadness and lonlieness of the lyrics.



If you read the interviews that he gave when starting Cinerama, he specifically said that he wanted to go places where he didn't want to take TWP, and that's why he started this entirely new venture. I've played it over 20 times in the 3 days I've the CD in my possession - that should give you enough of a clue!"