Ma Fleur
by The Cinematic Orchestra
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Jun 5, 2007
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17

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  1. CharlesD
    Jun 12, 2007
    9
    UK version: beautiful masterpiece. US version: missing the best track and screwed-up order seriously changes the flow and hinders my appreciation for the album. Who decided to change the track order?! If North American reviewers are less enthousiastic for this album, that is the reason why, IMO.
  2. JC
    Jun 6, 2007
    6
    The album is just incredibly plain and boring, a far cry from what the Cinematic Orchestra has produced in the past. It's not a particularly bad album, but it isn't good either.
  3. gustavov
    Jun 9, 2007
    10
    i like this cd very much, i was really charmed of their sound. it was a discovery of this year
  4. JohnD
    Aug 3, 2007
    9
    This is the best album yet from one of the most consistently interesting bands of the past ten years.
  5. ScottT
    Dec 13, 2007
    8
    I must admit, some of the songs on this album aren't as good as their earlier albums, as they've gone for a more mainstream sound, which isn't entirely a bad thing. They've still kept some of their original sound in songs like: As the stars fall, to build a home, and Time and space. But I feel they've gone for a more "raw" sound in songs like: Into you, Ma Fleur, I must admit, some of the songs on this album aren't as good as their earlier albums, as they've gone for a more mainstream sound, which isn't entirely a bad thing. They've still kept some of their original sound in songs like: As the stars fall, to build a home, and Time and space. But I feel they've gone for a more "raw" sound in songs like: Into you, Ma Fleur, and Breathe. The latter of which, and including: child song, sounds a little rock during the chorus... Orchestral music shouldn't have a chorus!… Expand
  6. Borachon
    Jun 11, 2007
    9
    Absolutely beautiful album from start to finish.
  7. jpro07
    Jun 2, 2007
    8
    Not sure...'Everyday' is prob in my top 5 albums, its a tough act to follow for my delicate ears...i'll keep listening and i'll get back to you.
  8. JohnW.
    Aug 29, 2008
    10
    An instant classic in my opinion. Deeply moving.
  9. allenj
    Jun 11, 2007
    10
    Amazing album. I wonder which album Almost Cool and The Onion reviewers listened to. This album moves into new territory confidently.
  10. robertm
    Jun 15, 2007
    2
    Shockingly bad compared to their first two albums. Although it was predictible for them to move into the territory of trying to appeal to a large audience, it is a shame because Cinematic Orchestra on this new disc sounds very more like an adult contemporary jazz band than an innovative sampling based cutup live jazz band. I rate Motion a 10/10, this album is a very strong 2/10
  11. stevet.
    Jun 28, 2007
    8
    May well disappoint fans of their earlier albums due to its slower, mellower pace but its a real grower. Play it a dozen times from start to finish before judging it. Surprised noones mentioned it but the new vocalist sounds exactly like Jeff Buckley.
  12. MikeS
    Jan 27, 2009
    10
    Brilliant record. More atmosphere than the rest of the music industry's latest releases.
  13. RamonGuerrero
    May 28, 2014
    9
    A great and sensitive, moving album, with the chances of transporting us to a world of calm, if it wasn't for some annoying sounds in the background of some songs.
  14. ImmersedInSound
    Nov 19, 2014
    6
    Made with skill and not exactly bad. But a bore to listen to.
    With the exception of To Build A Home all of Ma Fleur is a tediously airy fairy experience. If that makes any sense. Sort of like Bon Iver or Arcade Fire but without that wonderful feeling of originality and the vital emotional connection. Maybe even slightly pretentious in places and lacking in redeeming features I won't be    Made with skill and not exactly bad. But a bore to listen to.
    With the exception of To Build A Home all of Ma Fleur is a tediously airy fairy experience. If that makes any sense. Sort of like Bon Iver or Arcade Fire but without that wonderful feeling of originality and the vital emotional connection. Maybe even slightly pretentious in places and lacking in redeeming features I won't be listening to any of The Cinematic Orchestras other work.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Best Album of 2007
42
#42 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. BBC collective
    100
    It’s not just the recurrent meditations on mortality that makes Ma Fleur even more heart-rendingly beautiful than 2002’s Everyday, it’s also how The Cinematic Orchestra’s new album actually feels.
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    80
    While Ma Fleur is no better than The Cinematic Orchestra’s previous scores, it is equally gorgeous in how it responds to and ekes out intellectual quagmires of song.
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  3. musicOMH.com
    80
    With its frequent emotional crescendos, then quiet dying away, Ma Fleur is more than a match for its predecessors, and will undoubtedly cement The Cinematic Orchestra’s reputation as intellectually sustaining performers of beautiful, emotive music.
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