Droid Bishop - Cinema

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Droid Bishop’s Cinema evokes all the drama and excitement of the movies with a retro ‘80s touch. Droid Bishop mixes superb guitar work, creative use of synths, and strong melodic writing to convey cinematic imagery. He is also a talented lyricist and creates expressive atmospheres in his music. This album takes me on a musical journey as it unfolds.

Droid Bishop’s guitar chops are one of the crucial features of Cinema. He's got nimble fingers and a strong sense of what sounds good. In combination with his skillful melodic writing, the guitar paints powerful images as it moves through the music. I find myself drawn in by the moods and atmospheres it creates.

Another successful element of Cinema is the way in which Droid Bishop deploys his synth sounds. He chooses the correct tones and textures for each piece of music, allowing them to form cinematic vignettes as they evolve. There's a balance between retro sounds and keeping the listener intrigued that I find well worked out.

I am also enamoured of Droid Bishop’s songwriting abilities as displayed on one of the album's tracks. “Renegade” showcases his skill with words and storytelling within a song. I am drawn to the way in which he is able to keep me hooked on the story he's telling as it moves through each song. In the same way he creates atmosphere through his synths, he also creates it through the words he deploys.

The album also engages my imagination as it unfolds. Each track draws clear and compelling imagery for me through the atmosphere it generates. I can sense the emotions and pictures being created by Droid Bishop, as they wash over me and carry me away to so many different worlds.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Feature Presentation” opens with sparkling chimes and a swelling, luscious background as digital notes swirl to open the track with a dramatic, cinematic start.

A quickly exhaled breath and a plethora of intertwining percussive sounds kick off “Murder Miami 1983.” The percussion tumbles in angular lines, and the kick drum punches quickly as computerized notes swirl. Metallic chimes ring as gruffly bursting synth climbs in a dynamic surge, and breath exhales.

Cascading percussion creates energetic motion as the gruff synth charges forward and the chimes glitter. Rising, glimmering chords flare as the percussion revolves with spinning motion below the chiming notes. Silky smooth, bright synth with a string-like quality calls out above the other musical elements. I find the drama and style that pervades the music ear-pleasing.

Digital notes swirl as strings call out in a caressing melody, and the chords are orchestral and emotive. Again, bursting drums join the revolving percussive sounds and the bass launches forward. The synth chords are effulgent and explosive as they pour luminosity into the music. The track continues to rush forward with unabated speed, and the strings dance again with expressive elegance before the track drives to an end.

“Renegade” starts gently as softly touching notes joining smoothly dancing synth and shaping drums and bass. Droid Bishop’s voice has a compelling emotional depth, carrying a yearning melody above the undulating bass.

Trumpeting synth flares out with surrounding light, and the chorus rises with a touching feeling as round-sounding, brassy synth sings a hope-tinged melody while the drums and bass drive the track forward. The guitar adds a catchy lick, and Droid Bishop’s vocals encapsulate the song’s message of courage in spite of challenges.

A synth rises with radiant luminosity, and the vocals carry the dreaming melody. The song’s mixture of warmth and sadness, tinged with hope, appeals to me. The guitar sings out with lustrous gentleness, and bright notes sparkle before the track ends.

The narrator speaks of falling into a "strange new day." He says that without a name, "memories fade away," and he asks if everything's the same, then what are we living for? He adds that "we could be gone in a minute. I never want to leave it lie."

Our storyteller feels like the song's subject has him under the gun, "like a renegade on the run." He says he's going to keep his cards close to his chest and "ride till the end of time on the wings of angels." He says the other person has him under pressure "like a renegade in the night" as he dreams with an open mind. He says that he's going to die "in the summertime in the City of Angels."

The narrator has "chased the light into the darkest dawn," and even though "the creatures come," he’ll go on. He says that he’ll "face the fact into the depths of thought again" and tells the other person that they can do what they want to him; he's "taking all the money tonight."

Rebounding drums and smoothly spinning synth are cut by flashing chimes to commence “Higher.” A funky groove walks into the low end as the bright synth trumpets out with energizing life, and the bass adds a shaded element. Mystery and explosive dynamism fill the music as the chimes flicker with crystalline light.

The drums pulse as a round-sounding synth carries a jazz-inflected, tranquil line. The drums and bass lock into a grooving pulsation as the luminous notes flare. Vocals add an uplifting quality as the chimes sparkle and the nasal-sounding synth frolics with laid-back, summery relaxation. I enjoy the chilled-out sensations flowing from the music. Chimes sweep again, drifting with a galactic pulsation as the undulating low end and trumpeting notes drift past.

Placidly wandering synth swirls with misty tendrils as it carries a melancholy-tinged melody. Now the shimmering main melody leaps out with encouragement and jazzy tones as the vocals raise and create a hopeful sensation. The track comes to an end with the melody exploding with life and passion as it finishes.

Rapidly rushing snare drum mingles with a quickly oscillating bass to open “The Ghost and The Highway”. Elevated, revolving synth intensifies the track’s motion while reverent notes fill the background.

A powerful engine roars and tightly wound, flickering lead synth rebounds above muscled bass and explosive drums. Swelling bass flow is broken by a twanging guitar while rounded, brassy notes flare. The rumbling motor’s sound is touched by sparkling notes above the driving low end.

Gruff, trembling synth echoes as the guitar twangs again and flaring light leaps out. Fragile arpeggios dance before trumpet-like synth carries gleaming energy as the V8 snarls and bubbling synth flows past.

An image of a classic muscle car charging forward is forged as twirling arpeggios tumble and rough-edged bass slices as snare drum throbs. Energetically intertwining synth arpeggiates in angular motion as punching drums push on. Victorious, medium high notes glisten and after another twangy guitar figure, there’s blinding illumination and silence falls.

“Bach to the Future” starts as bright synth flashes and slips with softly touching chords. Bach-influenced arpeggios undulate with classical elegance as the swelling chords wander in the distance and the drums pulsate. The electric guitar carries the beautiful, classical melody with graceful ease and leaping energy as the flaring synth chords burst.

Breezy arpeggios move with the precision for which Bach was famous, as radiant notes leap out. Droid Bishop’s guitar spins out again in the melody that is full of smoothness and grace. Chiming notes entangle with softly glowing luminosity as the low end continues to throb.

Trumpeting, deep synth rises now with a triumphant sensation as the low end shapes the music. The chimes entangle and bathe the music in light as the guitar slips in again, rising with a chord progression that is broken, lovely. The melody unfolds with a timeless sound as the track comes to an end.

Elevated strings cry out with tension, and a richly flowing, aching synth glides below as the bass begins to pulsate smoothly to open “Cinema.” Bright notes flicker distantly as the resonant, melancholy synth ripples below and the ticking drums tap.

The lead synth has a lush sound as sharply planing notes cut through, and the drums become heavy and propulsive. The strings ring out with thrilling brilliance, and the lower synth adds additional layers of emotion. Flashing chimes leap, and the strings call out again before the tempo accelerates.

The drums pound harder now, and the yearning strings rise with drama as the martial drums batter and arpeggios unwind. I am drawn to the layered depth of the music as it unwinds. The track ends with a crescendo that falls to low notes.

“The Beach” starts as solidly throbbing bass moves along with glistening notes that slip past with an easygoing flow. A vocal-sounding synth glides and breathes out as the drums and bass tap with a smooth flow.

The warm notes are like sunlight on blue water as they drift through the music. I enjoy the atmosphere of this track, putting me in mind of August days and balmy breezes. The drums have a calming quality and a steady beat while the bass undulates.

Sparkling notes flit through while broad, gleaming synth sings out the melody that is full of summery calm and the feeling of intense relaxation. Choral synth exhales while a jazzy synth solo unwinds with tranquility and azure peace.

Underneath the other musical elements, the drums and bass keep pulsing and the jazz-influenced solo skips and dances with laid back feelings pouring from it. Airy vocal-sounding synth notes float past before the track ends.

“Scene of Reflection” begins as a lush synth moves with twinkling notes and sweeping wind. The placid synth melody is meditative as it sails past with graceful lightness. Lapping sonic waves ripple outward as sparkling notes flit, and the bass shapes the music.

Bells flicker with crystalline luminosity, and the full-sounding lead synth carries the peaceful melody as it glides through the music. I feel soothed by the rich synth sounds and solid bass. Chiming notes flow past with elegant smoothness and float like a feather on the air. Flickering notes trail, and warmth fills the music as the track draws to an end.

Gossamer chimes drift out above lusciously swelling synth chords, echoing drums, and dense bass to start “Blue Rain.” A sense of abiding peace permeates the music as the drums reverberate and the synth chords hover.

Droid Bishop’s glistening guitar carries a dreaming melody out above the powerfully pulsing low end. Rounded synth chords play through the distance as the low end throbs, and the guitar climbs upwards with intense, affectionate emotion that slips through the music with silken ease.

Chimes flicker with filigreed light, and the impassioned guitar cries out. I enjoy the way in which the music conveys heartfelt emotion through the engaging guitar performance. The solo is intensely intertwined and full of musical detail before the track drifts off into silence.

“The Hero Within” begins with spinning arpeggios and twinkling notes that float above a slashing, colossal low end. Trumpeting, majestic synth rises with extended notes that gleam above the bursting, propulsive drums and bass. A mellow arpeggio twirls through the music with elegant motion as the low end throbs with life.

Crushing bass is cut by the artist's guitar, which sweeps with powerful bursts, staccato and slicing, before the brassy synth carries a moody and adventurous melody. Flashing chimes double the timeless-sounding melody as the guitar sings again. An ancient tale of adventure and triumph against the odds unfolds through Droid Bishop’s guitar as the colossal low end adds weight. The drums fall away as glittering chimes slide through the music and the guitar twirls above the low end.

The drums and bass come in again to shape the music while the artist's guitar leaps and pours out feeling. A full-toned synth carries the drifting melody as it conveys a great heroic quest in a way that fully engages me. Pain and victory are both embodied in the main melody as the drums and bass move onward. Chimes glow again, and the guitar soars above the supporting low end. The drums flourish, and the track comes to an end with tremulous arpeggios spinning out.

Conclusion 

Cinema tells stories of passion, adventure and love as it progresses. Droid Bishop effectively uses my mind as a film projector, showing scenes that unfold in my head, generated through musical skill. There's also a lot of heart and soul embedded in the music and that’s something I truly appreciate.