After a relocation from Texas to New York City, home of bands such as The Strokes, PS, Sonic Youth, and Interpol. The Secret Machines released 'September 000' which was recorded in Chicago at Clava Studios by Brian Deck of Red Red Meat, Wow this band gets around the states! The Secret Machines take cues from many of my favorite artists in a unique way, so if I bring up a bunch of comparison's its only a compliment.
The Secret Machines consist of the Curtis brothers Benjamin making music and Brandon on vocals, with no relations to Ian Curtis, and Josh Garza snaps the beats.
'September 000' starts off with the lengthy ballad 'Mariconi's Radio' beginning with a calm keyboard intro, simplistic as minimal, then with a slow build it climbs and rises with light drums and additional keyboards noises and amazing guitar feedback and fuzz which climaxes then drops into a dramatic Dark Side of The Moon-esque vocals as Brandon Curtis sings against Josh Garza's drum work and beautiful guitar work.
Pulsating keyboards, harmonic bass notes, plucked guitar and a slow drums as if they were being played at 33rpm then quickly adapt to 45rpm lead us into 'What Used to be French.' Kicking in with Crisp guitars against a U2-eque (i.e. 'Another Cat Dub') drum and bass jam, overlayed with Curtis' vocal styles which manage to alternate from howls of Frank Black to calm speech of Wayne Cohen of The Flaming Lips, the experimental electric guitar solo in this songs paves a beautiful ending.
'Breathe' intros with calm gangly guitars and Curtis' vocals 'When you hold me I can't breathe, when you kiss me the whole world gets weak.' The song kicks in with a blast and sound like The Flaming Lips and Weezer joined forces for an exceptional pop song.
'Still See You' begins with some beautiful orchestrated melancholy guitar work with quiet keyboards, and then kicks into an upbeat pop tune reminiscent of Sparklehorse.
'It's A Bad Wind That Don't blow Somebody Some Good' another strong Pink Floyd-esque ballad with beautiful space and atmosphere, passionate vocals, shrilling guitar work, and a firm grip on time kept by Josh Garza.
Déjà Vu the disc ends with a remix of 'Mariconi's Radio' this time much shorter in length and upbeat in tempo with some intricate drumming and percussion showcasing Josh Garza as well as some brilliant marimba jamming by producer Brian Deck. The track ends with handclaps and well-deserved applause.
The Secret Machines succeed with a brilliant debut. |