By Jaya Gupta
Special to the Daily Press

The self-titled debut record from San Francisco-based quintet Film School features an element of synaesthesia as they evoke images of different states of weather through the sounds of their thick, ethereal music. “Like You Know” impresses a scene of a sky-filled with clouds that are drifting away and slowly mutating shape. “11:11” is allusive to wind gaining infinite momentum.

Often described as the echoes of ’80s band the Cure, guitarist/vocalist Krayg Burton feels uneasy about the comparisons.

“I can understand why people — especially the press — will say that, but it’s only a starting point,” Burton said.

The band is focused primarily on creating melodies aimed at reaching a certain point of intensity, then breaking open to reveal a wall of sound. Unlike the Cure, Film School’s focal point is the instrumentation.

“The starting premise for us are the instruments,” Burton said. “Our music is instrumentally driven ... All of our members are interested in thick, sonic, atmospheric music.”

Film School will release their self-titled debut on Jan. 24 through Beggars Banquet. They play the Troubadour in Los Angeles on Jan. 25. For more information on tickets, contact the Troubadour box office at (310) 276-6168.