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Ma Fleur
by
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Ma Fleur Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

  • Summary: Jason Swinscoe's first Cinematic Orchestra disc in five years is indeed a soundtrack... to an imaginary film.

Top Track

To Build A Home
There is a house build out of stone Wooden floors, Walls and Window sills Tables and chairs Worn by all of the dust This is a place where I don't... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. BBC collective
    100
    It’s not just the recurrent meditations on mortality that makes Ma Fleur even more heart-rendingly beautiful than 2002’s Everyday, it’s also how The Cinematic Orchestra’s new album actually feels.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    90
    Its sharpness in wake of modesty might make it The Cinematic Orchestra’s biggest accomplishment to date.
  3. Mojo
    80
    An eerily oneiric album of light, space and silence. [Jun 2007, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Sputnikmusic
    80
    Ma Fleur is a triumphant return for The Cinematic Orchestra.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    80
    While Ma Fleur is no better than The Cinematic Orchestra’s previous scores, it is equally gorgeous in how it responds to and ekes out intellectual quagmires of song.
  6. Pitchfork
    64
    Slow, sugary, and perhaps a little too safe, this is not quite the return that Cinematic fans will want it to be.
  7. Stylus Magazine
    42
    Predictably, the Orchestra works considerably better as a symphony band than an orchestral accompaniment.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. allenj
    Jun 11, 2007
    10
    Amazing album. I wonder which album Almost Cool and The Onion reviewers listened to. This album moves into new territory confidently.
  2. JohnW.
    Aug 29, 2008
    10
    An instant classic in my opinion. Deeply moving.
  4. MikeS
    Jan 27, 2009
    10
    Brilliant record. More atmosphere than the rest of the music industry's latest releases.
  5. Borachon
    Jun 11, 2007
    9
    Absolutely beautiful album from start to finish.
  6. ScottT
    Dec 13, 2007
    8
    I must admit, some of the songs on this album aren't as good as their earlier albums, as they've gone for a more mainstream sound, I must admit, some of the songs on this album aren't as good as their earlier albums, as they've gone for a more mainstream sound, which isn't entirely a bad thing. They've still kept some of their original sound in songs like: As the stars fall, to build a home, and Time and space. But I feel they've gone for a more "raw" sound in songs like: Into you, Ma Fleur, and Breathe. The latter of which, and including: child song, sounds a little rock during the chorus... Orchestral music shouldn't have a chorus!… Expand
  7. stevet.
    Jun 28, 2007
    8
    May well disappoint fans of their earlier albums due to its slower, mellower pace but its a real grower. Play it a dozen times from start to May well disappoint fans of their earlier albums due to its slower, mellower pace but its a real grower. Play it a dozen times from start to finish before judging it. Surprised noones mentioned it but the new vocalist sounds exactly like Jeff Buckley.… Expand
  8. robertm
    Jun 15, 2007
    2
    Shockingly bad compared to their first two albums. Although it was predictible for them to move into the territory of trying to appeal to a Shockingly bad compared to their first two albums. Although it was predictible for them to move into the territory of trying to appeal to a large audience, it is a shame because Cinematic Orchestra on this new disc sounds very more like an adult contemporary jazz band than an innovative sampling based cutup live jazz band. I rate Motion a 10/10, this album is a very strong 2/10… Expand

See all 14 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Best Album of 2007
42
#42 Most Shared Album of 2007

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