Review by Stephen Morris - BBC Introducing

"Motion Picture Soundtrack have already made friends in high places. In addition to their appearance on BBC Kent's Introducing show, they've featured on Radio One, played a couple of festivals and even caught the attention of David Bowie and Led Zeppelin's producer. Here, BBC Kent Introducing listener Stephen Morris has a listen to see what all the fuss is about.

With a name like Motion Picture Soundtrack, you might expect something of a cinematic feel to the work of the Canterbury based band that go by this name. The band do not disappoint.

Motion Picture Soundtrack have a big, big sound - a sweeping, sonic panorama of music and lyricism. Symphonic in scope, the band take on big themes to match the sound: loss, death and despair - and then make them even bigger.

The Loneliness of Long Distance:

Throughout the songs there is a sense of intense loneliness - a distance from a loved one brought on by death ("Departure"), a broken heart ("The Strings That Tie to Us" and "We Don't Have to Think Like That") or simply through the technique of writing in the third person ("Make it Through the Night").

But the sense of loneliness cuts much deeper than a separation from those held most dear. The songs ring through with a desperate feeling of detachment from everything.

Not since Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" has such an intense feeling of longing, loss and loneliness been poured into a song with such passion and integrity. The results are spellbinding. Utterly beautiful.

The stand out track from the four currently available on Myspace must be "Departure", a song about the ultimate separation of death. "Hold me like you're here" runs the desperate cry of the chorus. This is heartbreaking stuff.

The Soundtrack of our Lives:

Musically, the band are more than able to equal each heartfelt lyric with awe inspiring music. Note for word, syllable for tearstained semi-quaver, Motion Picture Soundtrack combine lyrics and music to from something truly exquisite.

The music takes its time to unfold before you. Long introductions give rise to soaring vocals which are followed by lingering instrumentals. Fans of fast moving punk will find little of interest here. This is slow burning music to be savoured and enjoyed.

Similarities and Differences:

Comparisons are all too easy to be made when talking about any band's music. In Motion Picture Soundtrack's case it seems almost insulting to suggest such allusions, but some can, and must be made.

The intensity of the melodies will remind some listeners of the sprawling sumptuousness of bands from the late 90s and early noughties such as Geneva and Leaves. There's a vocal style that hints at Mansun's Paul Draper.

U2-ish distortion effects are used on guitars with a sense of wild abandon. Nevertheless, the overall texture and musicality remains a million miles away from the work of Bono and friends.

Knocking on Heaven's Door:

At times the music takes on a tranquil, even holy, heavenly feel. "We Don't Have to Think Like That" is delivered in hushed tones with a reverence usually reserved for cathedrals. Meanwhile, "Make it Through the Night" could be compared favourably with the songs of Jeff Buckley.

There is a similar impassioned angst here: delicate falsetto and sombre, intense guitar work resulting in something that will melt your heart. This is the music that Coldplay could write - if only they tried a bit harder.

Motion Picture Soundtrack have an album out soon. If the content is half as good as the music currently featured on Myspace you would be well advised to get your hands on a copy. Very well advised indeed.

To hear more from Motion Picture Soundtrack you can find a link to their MySpace via the BBC Kent Introducing friends."