You know those dreams where you are being chased and escaping seems impossible? This CD provides the perfect soundtrack for those types of nightmares. Melodic and dark, the debut full length CD from Midnight Movies delivers with eleven solid tracks. The trio formed in Los Angeles in 2002, where they quickly dazzled audiences during their sold out residency at Spaceland. Two years later they gained a substantial fan base and were asked to tour with Clinic. On their debut album on Emperor Norton records, they have proved that their hype was justified. Front woman and drummer Gena Olivier’s haunting vocals have been compared to Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab), with more than a hint of Nico. In fact, if Stereolab had stayed on course and got a sudden fascination for horror films, you might have Midnight Movies. The dark opener “Persimmon Tree” could easily be used as the backdrop for psychological thrillers such as Donnie Darko. It is Midnight Movies’ cinematic sound that keeps this album intriguing from start to finish. Not only lyrically, but musically every song seems to tell a story. Larry Scheme’s guitar and Jason Hammons’ keyboards are carefully placed to add just the right amount of color, giving each song a natural rise and fall. Olivier’s pounding drum passage of “Human Mind Trap” is reminiscent of several tracks on The Cure’s 1982 album Pornography.  The biggest surprise of this album is the track “Tide And Sun”, which showcases the beauty of Olivier’s vocals against a melody of keyboards emulating what sounds like a music box. I expect a band this talented to continue mesmerizing us for years to come. This is truly an album not to miss for 2004.

Midnight Movies
Emperor Norton

1. Live – Midnight Movies Bring Some 213-Style To The 212
2. Midnight Movies Release New Digital Single
3. Midnight Movies Drop Debut Album, Hit The Road With Clinic
4. Midnight Movies’ New Album Due In April
5. Video – Midnight Movies’ “Patient Eye”