After losing their record label to Chapter 11 bankruptcy and changing guitarists during a busy 2008, The Cinematics have resurrected themselves and produced Love and Terror, their second full album. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, the Cinematics have a post-punk sound reminiscent of bands like The Cure with an added darker, heavier element, almost grunge-like bass and lead singer Scott Rinning’s deep rhythmic voice.

Overall, the album shows promise. Songs like “Wish (When the Banks Collapse)” and “New Mexico” highlight interesting guitar playing over weighty bass lines that provide a good background for Rinning’s dark voice. Songs like “All These Things” are rhythmic and catchy, showing off an interesting twist to the common post-punk revival sound that’s become more and more popular in recent years. The Cinematics mesh well together and produce a solid set of songs like those of The Killers and The Strokes, sure to win over fans with a bit of a darker side.

To less partial listeners, things will get monotonous quickly. Many songs on the album, including its title track “Love and Terror,” are inundated with bass, drowning out some really nice guitar riffs. Songs like “Lips Taste Like Tears” lack melodic appeal and feature melancholic lyrics that will repel the more casual audience. Listening to the album the entire way through reveals its lack of depth and the staggering number of filler tracks worth skipping. Ultimately, Love and Terror is a solid album, with a few songs that show real potential to define the band’s sound, but some that will have a harder time winning over a more mainstream crowd.