This Is Cinerama

Only five-sevenths of This Is Cinerama will be new to owners of the U.S. edition of Va Va Voom, but that shouldn't deter them from purchasing it. Conveniently and thoroughly, the compilation wraps up the band's first four singles (which thankfully includes both sides of the vinyl-only Pacific single), adding a kitschy Valvola remix of "Ears." Anyone wild enough about Cinerama to have bought the singles can tell you that the B-sides are just as good as the album material, and the two singles that were released between Va Va Voom and Disco Volante and not included on either are equally splendid. "Crusoe," from the band's first single, is one of David Gedge's finest ruminations on romantic frustration. An elegant-as-ever, strings-at-just-the-right-moment heart stopper, Gedge punches in with his umpteenth quotable: "You can't get a phone call like that and not tell me/You can't lay with him in a bed and not smell me." The best moments arrive courtesy of the three-song Manhattan single, which showcase the band's surprising range. "Manhattan" is a mid-tempo ode to near-adultery, and "Film" shows off their more aggressive side, without losing melodic sense. But, what makes This Is Cinerama truly worthy of your ownership is a drop-dead impressive rendition of the Smiths' "London." Rather than do a straight-up take, the storming original is slowed down to a languid pulse (the length is doubled), with Gedge and Sally Murrell doubling up on vocals. Indie and chamber pop aren't known for slinkiness, but the standard is nonetheless set here. Though collections of singles and extras regularly cater to diehards, This Is Cinerama should impress the merely interested, and it's just as value-packed as Va Va Voom. ~ Andy Kellman|