The Cinematic Orchestra - 'To Build A Home'

Ninja Tune knew they were onto something good, judging by the number of requests for TV-synch spots on releasing 'To Build A Home' as a download-only before the release of their latest album 'Ma Fleur.' Garnering their own show at The Royal Albert Hall completes this milestone year for Jason Swinscoe and Co. 'Ma Fleur' saw the back turned to the dance-floor references that have populated the Cinematic Orchestra sound, and instead the gaze was more reflective and internal, and 'To Build A Home' embraces these qualities with a soaring emotive vocal from Montreal's Patrick Watson that tugs on strings you never knew you had.

A lush radio version heads with a string-filled symphonic immediacy as Patrick Watson sings tenderly "I climb a tree to see the world, when gusts came around to blow me down/ Held on as tightly as you held on to me, " with extra string and drum sections compounding the emotional power-sweep. A Grey Reverend version takes an unplugged acoustic guitar delivery for a singer-songwriter turn but lacks the emotional punch. Best of all, the full glory of the album version allows the epical grandeur locked in the piano to build as whilst Patrick Watson captures complete attention with his imagistic/reflective co-written song as it rides the symphonic waves.

Released 29/10/07 on Ninja Tune.