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Xinema - Different Ways

Artist:	Xinema
Title:	Different Ways
Label:	self produced, later released on Unicorn Records UNCR-5004
Length(s):	58 minutes
Year(s) of release:	2001
Month of review:	[05/2002]

Line up

Mikael Askemut - lead vocals, bass, keyboards, guitars, programming
Sven Larsson - lead guitars, backing vocals
Jonas Thuren - drums, lead and backing vocals

Tracks

1)	In The Scent Of The Night	5.45
2)	Over The Sea	3.51
3)	The Last Flower	4.37
4)	Timing	4.29
5)	One Day	3.40
6)	Different Ways	4.50
7)	Maybe Time	3.06
8)	Across The Styx	4.42
9)	Distant Lights	5.02
10)	How Can I Believe	4.38
11)	The Secret	5.56
12)	Blind Is The Light	7.00

Summary

Well, this is gonna be a bit of inspiration: all I have is the booklet of the CDR, which was printed on a jetprinter. I'm not even sure if Askemut really is the singer's name. An outdated google-hit told me the band is from Borlange, Sweden, but that's about what I can give you for info. And, oh, apparently the band are now called Xinema, because Cinema was taken already.

The music

In The Scent Of The Night provides us with a rocky opener, with riffy guitars and vocals not unlike Peter Cetera's (in timbre, that is), refering strongly to Canadian prog rockers such as Saga.

Over The Sea continues where the previous track left of, another pointy track very much in the vein of the Canadians, although sometimes a little poppier.

The Last Flower shifts back a couple of gears, being more of a ballad. The double vocals work out quite nicely in this track, as does the guitar and key used during the bridge. Although in some ways this track was in great danger of becoming highly sappy, they managed to steer away from that, with good results.

Timing once again is pretty up tempo, with some nice jangling guitar riffs, as well as ample keys and a haunted bridge.

One Day is more gently flowing, and with that a bit more normal, edging towards regular pop. Not a bad song, but not very striking either.

The title track Different Ways continues the trend of the previous, being also a gentle and nice pop song.

Maybe Time returns to the previous higher tempos, making the track a bit spicier, but still falling behind what went by before.

Across The Styx is another one of those gentle flowing tracks, although it does feature a lengthy guitar solo.

Distant Lights starts plain pop, with the kind of choppy drumming that always irritates me, but the chorus suddenly lets the days of Saga relive.

How Can I Believe is flowing pop track again, although with some Saga guitars.

The Secret is more piano-vocal based, although the rather nice bridge features keys and guitars. It also manages to work towards a nice climax, displaying something that wasn't displayed before. After being lulled for several songs, this just might be the album's best track.

Blind Is The Light starts with a keyboard line that reminds me of seventies Eloy, but is followed up by something more speedy.

Conclusion

The first couple of songs make a promise the rest of this album can't quite live up to. Which is a shame really. Despite the at times strong references to Saga, the sound of those opening tracks is fresh, showing some nice compositions. The middle section of the album misses this sharpness, although still pretty nice. Cinema definitely has a lot to offer, being a promise for the future. Their current CD, however, falls short a couple of songs of consistent. But at the end of the day this is still a nice listen.