Cinematic emo

In the past few years, the Michigan-based post-hardcore Chiodos have taken the emo world by storm with their unique combination of hardcore screaming, orchestral sounds, and explosive live performances. And although they’ve set the world on fire during high-profile punk tours like the Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour and Warped Tour, die-hard fans have been patiently awaiting a legitimate release from the pop-oriented side project of lead vocalist Craig Owens and keyboardist Bradley Bell, Cinematic Sunrise. They have to wait no longer.

Cinematic Sunrise’s debut, A Coloring Storybook And Long-Playing Record sees Owens and Bell explore their pop sensibilities, armed with more piano keys, soaring hooks, and charm. And for a couple guys that spend their day jo Sections bs writing songs with titles like “Is It Progression If a Cannibal Uses a Fork?” (from Chiodos’ newest album, Bone Palace Ballet), the change is damn near seamless.

The EP’s opener, “Pulling A Piano From A Pond,” features a sprawling piano and a somewhat aggressive guitar riff while Owens’ vocals shriek and soar to the unparalleled heights he always seems to reach. The lyrics he spews are more uplifting and maybe even a smidge better than anything heard from Chiodos: “I’m ready to just come out and say it/I try to reason with myself /To think of all that life could be/If we could only capture what we’ve seen.”

“The Wordless” brings twinkling guitars and driving drums into the fold to create a quicker pace than any other tracks on the EP. But the bridge is where things really pick up, as Owens’ vocals start as nothing more than a soft whisper and then detonate into a soaring performance that’s more true-blue than his typical shriek.

The EP closes in tremendous fashion with “You Told Me You Loved Me,” a low-maintenance power ballad that includes only Owens and the ivory keys for three-fourths of the song until pounding drums overtake it near the end.

A Coloring Storybook And Long-Playing Record is a solid emo pop album, especially considering the source. If explored further, Cinematic Sunrise could be even bigger than Chiodos. The other guys in that band better hope that doesn’t happen.