A reasonable attempt from Watford quartet.
With large boots to fill thanks to hyperbolic reviews from Drowned in Sound and Word, it's surprising that The Electric Cinema leave only a slight imprint after listening. They come across as somewhere between a lighter version of The Arcade Fire and one of the Flaming Lips more lucid moments. So inherently bad, no, but definitely lacking the verve which would propel me into a typing frenzy.
First track 'Cut Down' is a slow burner and makes more of an impact after several listens. It builds from a slow and downbeat affair to more of a spring in the step style, yet still manages to seem rather repetitive thanks to its rather weak and cyclical lyrics.
'Diagrams' performs more quickly, with less atmosphere building musical trimmings and more structure. By the chorus it seems rather similar to its predecessor, but is overall a more coherent and likeable song. It has standard indie-pop charm and the group vocals work well.
This single isn't earth shattering but has enough promise to appeal to fans of the bands mentioned earlier, and for an act so early on in their career I'm sure it is hugely favourable to be mentioned alongside the likes of near deities such as The Arcade Fire.