Sinematic

Sinematic – Robbie Roberston (as told by Mr. Bones)

In Sinematic, Robertson offers up a superbly crafted & gritty sound that well reflects the dodgy characters whose tales he tells. Whether its repudiated mob hit man The Irishman in ‘Paint Houses or Chinese mobster Du Yuesheng, the creepy subjects are aptly complemented with driving percussion and (mildly) distorted guitar work topped off with his very dry vocal delivery. From working carnivals as a boy to living the wild life with Martin Scorsese in LA, he has no shortage of wild characters to draw upon for source material.

RIYL: Nick Cave, JJ Cale

***1 I Hear You Paint Houses – hypnotic duet with Van Morrison as mob hitmen looking back on life with stellar guitar/wah-wah work. Inspired by Charles Brandt’s book The Irishman and included in Scorsese’ film of it (slow, 5:04)
***2 Once Were Brothers – emotional reminiscence on his life in The Band with all the in-fighting. (slow & soulful, 4:05)
**3 Dead End Kid – powerful story of his youth in Toronto as the child of a First Nation mother and a Jewish gangster father (slow, 3:59)
4 Hardwired – spooky commentary on the human condition (med, 3:59)
**5 Walk In Beauty Way – smokey duet with Felicity Williams inspired by a Navajo prayer with tripy guitar & light synths (med, 5:38)
**6 Let Love Rain - eery commentary on political upheaval with shout out to John Lennon (med, 5:12)
*7 Shanghai Blues – story of Chinese mobster Du Yuesheng (slow, 3:51)
*8 Wandering Souls – dreamy instrumental with beautifully simple & elegant guitar work (slow, 2:34)
9 Street Serenade – celebration of the sound & energy exuded by mega-cities (slow, 5:06)
10 The Shadow – hard rocking tribute to the Orson Wells’ radio series with driving bass & trippy effects (fast, 4:27)
11 Beautiful Madness – eery remembrance of crazy his days living in LA with Scorsese (med, 4:31)
**12 Praying For Rain – exquisite commentary on climate change with Felicity Williams delivering great backing vocals (slow, 4:12)
13 Remembrance – instrumental, elegy for Paul Allen with Derek Trucks & Doyle Bramhall on guitars (medium, 5:29)