Cities Burning Down

"Cities Burning Down" is the seventh single from Howling Bells. It released February 23, 2009 in digital download and vinyl format. It is the second single as well as the second track from the band's sophomore album, Radio Wars. There are a few versions that differ slightly from each other, this is the final recorded version where as one appeared prior as a b-side titled "This Cities Burning".
Critical reception
Upon release of the single was accompaniment of a fair amount of airplay in Australia and the UK, this led to the biggest selling newspaper in Britain, and the tenth most widely circulated newspaper in the world, The Sun, to place it at the top of its list as, "hot track of the week". Journalist, David Adair, called it, "Morbid life captured almost as precisely as the Great Edgar Allen Poe". Komodo Rock says, "Cities Burning Down reveals itself as a smoldering, glittering anthem in waiting, the kind which raises the hairs on the backs of necks even while lodging itself firmly in the brain". In 2010, it was one of many tracks that was featured on, APB: All Points Bulletin; a multiplayer online video game developed by, Realtime Worlds Ltd.
Music video
There are two music videos for this song, the original cut, and the second being a director's cut, which has a few altered scenes.
Directed by Piper Ferguson for Lodger Films, it was shot on December 4, 2008 on a set in London. It utilizes an aspect ratio of 1.78:1
Easily the most elaborate production to date of all of the band's music videos. It makes use of rear projection effect in which the band is in front of a projection screen and backing plates which include: traffic driving through a tunnel; a desert landscape; fire, sky, and water; a herd of galloping horses; a wolf howling at the moon; etc., are all projected onto a screen in the background. Most if not all of the cameras are from a fixed position, and is mostly filmed from a lower angle as well with the majority of it being medium and long shot. It's style is very much influenced by Oliver Stone's, Natural Born Killers.
The video for the majority is the band performing along with the song but a fictionalized story is taking place as well. Portrayed as a gang of motorcycle wandering renegades who live off the land and go around on their bikes causing mischief, Juanita's character is haunted by recurring nightmares about looming devastation and armageddon. A day comes when off the open road they settle in for the night only to wake up and realize that the unconscionable dream has occurred and they have no other choice but to flee for safety in a post-apocalyptic world.
Track listings
=====7" - ISOM134S=====
#"Cities Burning Down"
#"Hearts & Armor"
Note: The b-side was listed online as 'Dublin', although no known recording has been released.
Digital downloads
#"Cities Burning Down"
#"Hearts & Armor"
#"Cities Burning Down (Radio Edit)"

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