Music > Album Reviews

Cinerama - Valentina

by Pavlis

17/05/15

In 2012, The Wedding Present released their eighth studio album, Valentina. This is a fairly radical reworking of that album. Initially, Weddos and Cinerama mainman David Gedge had the idea of releasing the two albums simultaneously. Perhaps unfortunately, that wasn’t realistic given the complexity of the arrangements for the Cinerama version. As should be expected of anything written by David Gedge (and Graeme Ramsay), the songs are appealingly well crafted. On these takes, the sound is rooted in easy listening and soundtrack work.

Good as it is - for the genre - and much as it pains me to say it, however well they work in The Wedding Present’s versions of these songs, Gedge’s voice just doesnt work with this sound, with these arrangements. Given to someone with a classic “swing” voice and we could be looking at a classic of its type. As it is, this is an interesting diversion.

Now, to go and listen to the Weddos’ version of the likes of You’re Dead or End Credits...

6.5/10

Released 18th May 2015

Cinerama // Valentina Scopitones

In 2012, The Wedding Present released their eighth studio album, Valentina. This is a fairly radial reworking of that album. Initially, Weddos and Cinerama mainman David Gedge had the idea of releasing the two albums simultaneously. Perhaps unfortunately, that wasn’t realistic given the complexity of the arrangements of the Cinerama version.

As should be expected of anything written by David Gedge (and Graeme Ramsay), the songs are appealingly well crafted.

The sound is rooted in easy listening and soundtrack work.Good as it is - for the genre - and much as it pains me to say it, however well they work in The Wedding Present’s versions of these songs, Gedge’s vocals just don’t work with this sound, with these arrangements. Given to someone with a classic “swing” voice and we could be looking at a classic of its type. As it is, this is an interesting diversion.

Now, to go and listen to the Weddos’ version of the likes of You’re Dead or End Credits...

Pavlis (6.5/10)