Cinematic Sunrise - A Coloring Book and Long-Playing Record EP [2008]

More upbeat summer music today, featuring none other than Craig Owens' side-project, Cinematic Sunrise. The band's 2008 release A Coloring Book and Long-Playing Record EP sounds nothing like Chiodos, despite holding over Owens and keyboardist Bradley Bell from the band. Prepare for catchyness right out of the gate from the opener "Pulling a Piano from a Pond," led by some great Bradley-piano. Big choruses are a staple of this disc, and the track is no exception.

"Goodbye Friendship, Hello Heartache" isn't even remotely whiny, despite what the title might imply. The track is beautifully layered, with multiple instruments running through its entire duration that give it a great summer vibe. Owens lets the music be the star of this song, perfectly complimenting the track with soft, stretched out vocals.

"Umbrellas and Elephants" has and always will be Craig's baby. This version doesn't have the three-part a capella breakdown featured in the 2005 demo, but Owens hits his high note earlier in epic-fashion. Bell uses many different keyboard effects to make everything come together in one of the best tracks of the release. "Our Honeymoon at Weston Hills" was the most overlooked song of the original three CinSun demos, but files in nicely on this EP. The song has a bit more power than its peers, greatly contrasting with the following two tracks.

"The Wordless" is the star of the album. The most-loved of the demos is back in top form and deserves recognition from Top 40 radio everywhere. Craig's melody here is what makes the song, along with Dave Shapiro's drumming and Bell's breakdown. Owens ends big here with a huge finale you need to hear for yourself. The disc ends nicely with the closer "You Told Me You Loved Me," a beautiful piano-vocal track between Craig and Bradley.

Major props to Bradley Bell, who performed excellently as CinSun's guitarist, recording engineer and producer. The record is crystal clear, even in low-quality formats. This records definitely falls into my favorite EPs of all-time, and maybe my top 3. Check it out.

EP: CINEMATIC SUNRISE- A LONG PLAYING RECORD EP