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EDIT INFOSecret Machines - Secret Machines
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Album Details
- Artist: Secret Machines
- Album: Secret Machines
- Label: TSM
- Year of Release: 2008
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: dscanland on 2008-11-10
RecommendWhat's the reverse of selling out? Out selling? Not selling? Well anyway, the next band to stick it to the major labels is Secret Machines. It's not like Reprise was doing their job with this talented threesome. It's a bit of a different threesome now since their last album, Ten Silver Drops. The vocalist Ben Curtis, Brandon's brother, has left the band to focus on his band School of Seven Bells. But they have acquired former Tripping Daisy guitarist Phil Karnats. And really, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between Brandon and Ben's vocals. They decided to release this one themselves.
The album starts out uber strong with "Atomic Heels", one of the Secret Machine's best songs to date. It is so catchy and refreshing. Just a good example of why you should listen to this band. Not far behind is the second track, "Last Believer, Drop Dead". It's not as direct as "Atomic Heels" but catchy nonetheless. A move to the darker realm happens on the rather lengthy "Have I Run Out". Then moving seamlessly (no gap) into "Underneath The Concrete", a song that vibrates with Rush's exuberance. It ends up being the cornerstone of the album. I love the rhythmic pulsing of this one. Another great change of pace on the mellower "Now You're Gone", showing a different side of Secret Machines. Another Pink Floyd-ish song is "The Walls Are Starting To Crack", very big a dramatic. The album tends to be a bit front loaded with some of the quieter and not as adventurous tracks leaving a mediocre taste in your mouth. The closer, "The Fire Is Waiting" tries to fix that but really doesn't do much in the way of impressing with it's 11 minute footprint.
The more you listen to this album, the more that reveals itself. They have been called a modern day Pink Floyd and tracks like "Have I Run Out" are testament to this lofty statement. Don't expect a PF rip-off. There is enough substance for Secret Machines to stand out on their own regardless. They have a stadium ready sound that is begging to be heard. Give this one a shot then work backwards in their catalog.
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Tell us why this album is great or sucks ass, or correct the reviewer. If you write enough quality reviews you may find yourself on the editorial staff.
Reviews have to be over 100 words, shorter ones are classed as comments.
Log In or Register to Rate Albumson 2008-11-19 mountaloha Said:
I've been a Secret Machines fan for about 4 years now and I couldn't have been more excited for this album. The last album, Ten Silver Drops, wasn't good at all, so I was expecting a rebound. Nope, not at all, another boring, run of the mill album. I'm also not sure where these Pink Floyd references are coming from. I don't see the similarities at all. It's like calling Wolfmother Led Zeppelin. Now Here Is Nowhere is their best, most original album. The vocals were clean, the hooks weren't bland and expected, but most of all, it was different. The past 2 releases could have been the same album and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Rating: 5/10
