I'm not much of an album reviewer, so bear with me -- but we're here to discuss as we listen, right? Anyway, here are a few initial thoughts before the listening later this evening (9:30 Eastern Time).
Now Here Is Nowhere is a record that might not immediately catch on with a lot of people, especially with that (extremely) noisy and violent opener. But that tune hooked me, and after probably my third listen, the flow of the entire album hit me like a ton of bricks. As some of you are aware (mjk), it is easily my favorite not-MMJ record of the last ten years, and maybe of the last 38 years -- those familiar with their reported influences might guess where I'm going with this.
I can't remember how I got introduced to the Secret Machines or this record, but I do remember reading things like "Krautrock" (not knowing what that meant) and "Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin-esque" -- and yeah, those comparisons caught my eye and are valid. To my ears this is the most Dark Side-type album of the new millennium, so much so that the tracks all meld together so that the album becomes a single piece, and I can neither pick out a favorite nor a least-liked.
Likely activity: When I am having one of THOSE nights when records get played loudly on the turntable and I have a few Manhattans (or something else) in me, there is nothing like spinning this one at HIGH volume. If you have a turntable and don't have this on vinyl, this must be resolved. Good luck, though. I have two copies, one of which is being saved for when the first one becomes unplayable, and I'll snatch up the next one that appears on GEMM too. (EDIT: now that I look a little harder, there are lots of copies out there)
Frequent activity: When the shit hits the fan at work and I find myself having to focus and solve problems quickly-- this is what I listen to, and shit gets fixed.
Depressing: By the time I got into this one, Ten Silver Drops had already been released, and the brothers Curtis were going their separate ways and not playing many shows. The one chance I had to see the original three here in Oklahoma, they ended up cancelling and taking a more lucrative gig in Austin (something called the ACL Festival). So fuck 'em! =)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/ca/Secretmachinesnowhereisnowhere.jpg)
I flippin LOOOOOOVE that album!
(Love Ten Silver Drops, too, but not as much)
Good choice, Crispy. It's a great album, with some killer tunes. I wish I could stay up late enough for the listening party, but the time difference won't allow it. I caught a festival set of theirs in 2006 - they really bring it live.
Haven't listened to this album in a long time. Good stuff though!
In case I pass out later from just being an old fart now. I'm very much an album guy. I listen for the whole experience, not the "hits" and skip the rest. This is a great album in that you need to listen front to back to get the full effect. This is a very spaced out trippy album. There is a certain level of mystical imagery they are trying to great and I feel they more then succeed. This would be a great album to bake and screw too errr or maybe it's just me. I haven't enjoyed things from da earf in many many years so I'm trying to remember what that was like. OK, maybe it's just a get album to throw on for background music to bone to. One thing is clear, someone is gonna get humped.
First Wave Intact does what it intends to, hits you with a sonic blast wave. Makes you hard or knocks you out. Sad And Lonely is a great follow up. I love the phrase "did you get your heart ache and your head rush confused." Many o times yes....They bring it down for one of the lusher tracks in Leaves are Gone which is , then fucking destroys my soul with Nowhere Again. Easily the best track on the LP and the best track they ever recorded IMO. The Road Leads To Where It Leads is fantastic. I mean come on, "Blowing all the other kids away, with all your chaaaaarm." Fuck. Pharaoh's Daughter is another slower lush track. You Are Chains is another great chill out lush track. Light's On is a great later track rocker to pick up the pace after a few slower songs. Now Here is Nowhere is a great closer. Blends a couple of the tracks on the album into a spaced out, eyes shut, head nodding and weaving around, dance like your stoned song. It really is epic. And that's when the babies are made.
skeet
Great review, skeeter, and I didn't even go there! ;D
Who's ready to drop the needle on this bitch?
Crispy thanks for this pick I cannot believe how much these guys rocked....
My initials thoughts when First Wave kicked in is how hard the drums hit...this band pulls you right into their music, they force it onto you...but despite the grunginess of some it, the production is probably the most pristine I've heard !!
Seriously this album rocks....
Also think I was drawn to this band from the line ""did you get your heart ache and your head rush confused." good call mjk
I actually threw it on at work today in honor of this and when I got home and worked out after dinner. And yeah, I usually go there. Things are funner in the gutter.
I LOVE the quiet piano (?) tone that opens it up, and then CRASH
Pissing off the neighbors time!
I tried but, I'm not really digging this album as a whole. I enjoy First Wave Down. The rhythm section is really good.
If I wanted to hear The Flaming Lips I'd put on The Flaming Lips. ;)
Just kidding, about to put it on again, I was kinda tired on my first listen.
Leaves Are Gone
The start of this song is the image of "the leaves are gone, there's ice on the river" and the music plays an instrumental part in making you believe this to be true (I love it whenever music plays an instrumental part in music) "Hold my hand to your heart and breathe" nice imagery.
Quote from: ManNamedTruth on Sep 07, 2011, 09:37 PM
If I wanted to hear The Flaming Lips I'd put on The Flaming Lips. ;)
Just kidding, about to put it on again, I was kinda tired on my first listen.
I get that, but the Secret Machines are like The Flaming Lips if they were all Steven Drozd. Which they are, kind of.
These guys play the HELL out of their instruments.
What do we feel about Brandon's vocals?...to me it was always such a backpocket weapon of this band....I always found it mismatched the music in a way that works and totally delivers...if that makes sense
This band remindes me of a bunch of other bands, but not really in a good way. I'm not crazy about the vocals.
How many singers are on this record?
Lights On
New Singer? Not sure I get this one. Joy Division probably wants you to not write this song.
Quote from: wolof7 on Sep 07, 2011, 09:40 PM
What do we feel about Brandon's vocals?...to me it was always such a backpocket weapon of this band....I always found it mismatched the music in a way that works and totally delivers...if that makes sense
I do love Brandon's vocal, it seems out of place at first, but ends up working perfectly.
Sweat, I think there's just Brandon on lead and Benjamin backing vocal.
On Leaves are Gone right now, never made the flaming lips connection before, always just went along with the floyd/zep comparisons, hearing it on this track....
....I can't imagine this as being a first album....it's balls to the walls.....if this was their only album they'd be a huuuuuuuge in like 10 yrs.
.....this album makes me want to explore space with marijuana
They did have an EP a couple years earlier, and it's interesting, but it's not close to this.
It's one of the few records that makes me feel like I did as a teenager in my basement bedroom, "exploring space with marijuana" ;D
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 09:39 PM
Quote from: ManNamedTruth on Sep 07, 2011, 09:37 PM
If I wanted to hear The Flaming Lips I'd put on The Flaming Lips. ;)
Just kidding, about to put it on again, I was kinda tired on my first listen.
I get that, but the Secret Machines are like The Flaming Lips if they were all Steven Drozd. Which they are, kind of.
These guys play the HELL out of their instruments.
The heavy drums are definitely Stephen Drozdesque.
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 09:49 PM
They did have an EP a couple years earlier, and it's interesting, but it's not close to this.
It's one of the few records that makes me feel like I did as a teenager in my basement bedroom, "exploring space with marijuana" ;D
does the space of my bedroom count?
the beginning of Leaves are Gone is so Wayne Coyne in his whispering gentle reflective mode
The transitions between songs on this record just blow me away -- Leaves into Nowhere is so perfect, and it's like one piece. All four sides of the record do this, and it is so damn good.
Quote from: ManNamedTruth on Sep 07, 2011, 09:53 PM
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 09:49 PM
They did have an EP a couple years earlier, and it's interesting, but it's not close to this.
It's one of the few records that makes me feel like I did as a teenager in my basement bedroom, "exploring space with marijuana" ;D
does the space of my bedroom count?
It did for me! Especially when Music from the Hearts of Space was on the radio. :)
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 09:55 PM
Quote from: ManNamedTruth on Sep 07, 2011, 09:53 PM
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 09:49 PM
They did have an EP a couple years earlier, and it's interesting, but it's not close to this.
It's one of the few records that makes me feel like I did as a teenager in my basement bedroom, "exploring space with marijuana" ;D
does the space of my bedroom count?
It did for me! Especially when Music from the Hearts of Space was on the radio. :)
In high school I used to hang out at a friend's bedroom who had a black light and glow-in-the-dark stickers of planets and stars and shit, and had them on the ceiling fan too so that when it spun it created these light rings. Pretty sure they were all doing way more acid than I.
Maybe the rain will stop following me
With millions of colors reflected in daylight
Right on the kick drum, turning the sound up
....love that part
Pharoah's Daughter is probably my 2nd favorite track behind Sad and Lonely.
This albums plays and reads at times like a sci-fi epic :thumbsup:
Is the singer trying to sing like Ian Curtis on Nowhere Again?
Heard Placebo? Secret Machines remind me of them.
Quote from: sweatboard on Sep 07, 2011, 10:00 PM
Is the singer trying to sing like Ian Curtis on Nowhere Again?
Heard Placebo? Secret Machines remind me of them.
If he is trying to sound like Ian Curtis, I see that as a good thing.
I will need to check out Placebo!
I'll go ahead and throw my review out there since it's time and whatnot.
Pretty stellar album. I mentioned in last week's discussion that I had never even heard of Secret Machines before this was announced to be the album for this week. After seeing quite a few people rave over Crispy's choice though, I'm guessing I'll be in the minority being a Now Here Is Nowhere virgin.
First, and someone mentioned this I think last week, I really like the classification of "space rock" for this album. The music and production on this album are so dense and atmospheric, it really makes for a great listen. While the music isn't quite similar, the album reminds me of Modest Mouse's "Moon and Antarctica." Both of these albums feel like they were recorded somewhere outside of earth. I really like Crispy's Pink Floyd reference as well. Very fitting.
Favorite Track: Not so much a favorite track, as a favorite two tracks. The cohesiveness of this album is probably my favorite part. The whole album blends together so well, each track feels like a piece of all the others. However, my favorite of example of this is "Leaves Are Gone" and "Nowhere Again." "Leaves Are Gone" is amazing. My favorite song vocally on the album. And its serenity leads so well into the rockin' "Nowhere Again."
Least Favorite Track: "You Are Chains." Solid track, but definitely my least favorite. Not really all that sure why. Just seems, in my opinion, to bring the least to the table out of all the tracks on the album.
Overall: For a rating, I'll give it a 7.2* out of 10. The asterisk being there, because I get the feeling that the more I familiarize myself with this album, the higher my rating will climb. Hardly any of my all-time favorite albums were immediate hits with me, and I feel that it's gonna be the same way with Now Here Is Nowhere. I've listened to the album about 8 or 9 times now, and each successive listen has been significantly more pleasurable than the last.
Just want to thank Wolof again for a million dollar idea in starting this club. And to Crispy as well for choosing a great album that's encouraged me to look into a band that I might would have never come upon otherwise. Can't wait to hear the next selection. :thumbsup:
Quote from: sweatboard on Sep 07, 2011, 10:00 PM
Is the singer trying to sing like Ian Curtis on Nowhere Again?
Heard Placebo? Secret Machines remind me of them.
I was thinking Doug Martsch but mostly at the beginning. no i don't think he sounds like Ian Curtis at all. ???
Quote from: wolof7 on Sep 07, 2011, 10:00 PM
Maybe the rain will stop following me
With millions of colors reflected in daylight
Right on the kick drum, turning the sound up
....love that part
Pharoah's Daughter is probably my 2nd favorite track behind Sad and Lonely.
This albums plays and reads at times like a sci-fi epic :thumbsup:
Absofuckinglutely. Serious head-bobbing time. And then You Are Chains...talk about epic...
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 10:05 PM
Quote from: wolof7 on Sep 07, 2011, 10:00 PM
Maybe the rain will stop following me
With millions of colors reflected in daylight
Right on the kick drum, turning the sound up
....love that part
Pharoah's Daughter is probably my 2nd favorite track behind Sad and Lonely.
This albums plays and reads at times like a sci-fi epic :thumbsup:
Absofuckinglutely. Serious head-bobbing time. And then You Are Chains...talk about epic...
I didn't appreciate You Are Chains until tonight....when the drums kick in....yeah that part is beauty.
Great Review Yim!
I think I'll one up you and give this one an 8.2/10 and that's based on not being as familiar as I should....
....This album will keep me warm through this fall/winter when things get weird in New England.
Quote from: ManNamedTruth on Sep 07, 2011, 10:04 PM
Quote from: sweatboard on Sep 07, 2011, 10:00 PM
Is the singer trying to sing like Ian Curtis on Nowhere Again?
Heard Placebo? Secret Machines remind me of them.
I was thinking Doug Martsch but mostly at the beginning. no i don't think he sounds like Ian Curtis at all. ???
It's no really the way he "sounds" it's the Way he "sings" if that makes any sense. I like the term "space rock" as well but this album seems a little to dense, I like my space rock more atmospheric.
Another amazing transition from Pharoah's Daughter to Chains...it's like you don't realize what's upon you while the full weight of the thing gradually imposes itself...
Give it time, YimB, but I think you've already got it. "...each successive listen has been significantly more pleasurable than the last." :)
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 10:05 PM
Quote from: wolof7 on Sep 07, 2011, 10:00 PM
Maybe the rain will stop following me
With millions of colors reflected in daylight
Right on the kick drum, turning the sound up
....love that part
Pharoah's Daughter is probably my 2nd favorite track behind Sad and Lonely.
This albums plays and reads at times like a sci-fi epic :thumbsup:
Absofuckinglutely. Serious head-bobbing time. And then You Are Chains...talk about epic...
I was digging this track too. These guys are good musicians and the most musical parts are my favorite parts. The vocals at times are derivative of other bands and that has been my only gripe. Sometimes when I try to get into bands that sound like other bands I get sick of it and go back to that original band.
Quote from: wolof7 on Sep 07, 2011, 10:06 PM
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 10:05 PM
Quote from: wolof7 on Sep 07, 2011, 10:00 PM
Maybe the rain will stop following me
With millions of colors reflected in daylight
Right on the kick drum, turning the sound up
....love that part
Pharoah's Daughter is probably my 2nd favorite track behind Sad and Lonely.
This albums plays and reads at times like a sci-fi epic :thumbsup:
Absofuckinglutely. Serious head-bobbing time. And then You Are Chains...talk about epic...
I didn't appreciate You Are Chains until tonight....when the drums kick in....yeah that part is beauty.
Great Review Yim!
I think I'll one up you and give this one an 8.2/10 and that's based on not being as familiar as I should....
....This album will keep me warm through this fall/winter when things get weird in New England.
For sure. This album made me really look forward to when it starts to get a lot colder cause this is the kind of stuff that I really like to listen to when the world looks a little more apocalyptic, with leaf-less trees, snow on the ground, etc.
I think i could get behind this album more if I wasn't so bothered by the lead singer and the lyrics. The lead singer makes me feel like I'm shopping at Hot Topic.
Quote from: YimBlaylock on Sep 07, 2011, 10:15 PM
Quote from: wolof7 on Sep 07, 2011, 10:06 PM
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 10:05 PM
Quote from: wolof7 on Sep 07, 2011, 10:00 PM
Maybe the rain will stop following me
With millions of colors reflected in daylight
Right on the kick drum, turning the sound up
....love that part
Pharoah's Daughter is probably my 2nd favorite track behind Sad and Lonely.
This albums plays and reads at times like a sci-fi epic :thumbsup:
Absofuckinglutely. Serious head-bobbing time. And then You Are Chains...talk about epic...
I didn't appreciate You Are Chains until tonight....when the drums kick in....yeah that part is beauty.
Great Review Yim!
I think I'll one up you and give this one an 8.2/10 and that's based on not being as familiar as I should....
....This album will keep me warm through this fall/winter when things get weird in New England.
For sure. This album made me really look forward to when it starts to get a lot colder cause this is the kind of stuff that I really like to listen to when the world looks a little more apocalyptic, with leaf-less trees, snow on the ground, etc.
Definitely a winter album -- but this summer's been pretty goddamn apocalyptic...
I really like the vocals on this album. First listen through, wasn't quite sold on them. But by the second time through, I came around. I agree with you all, mentioning Doug Martsch and Wayne Coyne. I think Curtis was definitely influenced by these guys (or it would seem so anyway) but I don't think he's copycat-ing these guys by any means. I think he did a superb job.
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 10:02 PM
Quote from: sweatboard on Sep 07, 2011, 10:00 PM
Is the singer trying to sing like Ian Curtis on Nowhere Again?
Heard Placebo? Secret Machines remind me of them.
If he is trying to sound like Ian Curtis, I see that as a good thing.
I will need to check out Placebo!
Try this song after the listeninig party.
Placebo - Infra-red (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg3PusV3DTc#)
Listening to "Nowhere Again" again and it's pretty spacy. I like the music on that one quite a bit.
Remindes me of Breathe by Pink Floyd.
Quote from: sweatboard on Sep 07, 2011, 10:15 PM
I think i could get behind this album more if I wasn't so bothered by the lead singer and the lyrics. The lead singer makes me feel like I'm shopping at Hot Topic.
I'm on Lights On now, the vocals now sound like one of those late 90's bands like Orgy who wanted to be Joy Divison. On that song I can hear where you were going with the Ian Curtis thing.
Quote from: wolof7 on Sep 07, 2011, 10:06 PM
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 10:05 PM
Quote from: wolof7 on Sep 07, 2011, 10:00 PM
Maybe the rain will stop following me
With millions of colors reflected in daylight
Right on the kick drum, turning the sound up
....love that part
Pharoah's Daughter is probably my 2nd favorite track behind Sad and Lonely.
This albums plays and reads at times like a sci-fi epic :thumbsup:
Absofuckinglutely. Serious head-bobbing time. And then You Are Chains...talk about epic...
I didn't appreciate You Are Chains until tonight....when the drums kick in....yeah that part is beauty.
Great Review Yim!
I think I'll one up you and give this one an 8.2/10 and that's based on not being as familiar as I should....
....This album will keep me warm through this fall/winter when things get weird in New England.
Again, it's good to throw on for adult horizontal activities. That helps keep you warm at night in the fall/winter when things get weird in the Midwest also.
I'm surprised you do not like this one Brian. Surprised is all. I believe it's just the one brother singing.
I never got the Flaming Lips ref. No one sounds like the FLips but the FLips.
QuoteAll this time
All this space
All these words
Damn, I fucking LOVE the way this record ends, it's like the definition of "space rock".
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 10:29 PM
QuoteAll this time
All this space
All these words
Damn, I fucking LOVE the way this record ends, it's like the definition of "space rock".
Love this last track, great closer.
Quote from: ManNamedTruth on Sep 07, 2011, 10:23 PM
Quote from: sweatboard on Sep 07, 2011, 10:15 PM
I think i could get behind this album more if I wasn't so bothered by the lead singer and the lyrics. The lead singer makes me feel like I'm shopping at Hot Topic.
I'm on Lights On now, the vocals now sound like one of those late 90's bands like Orgy who wanted to be Joy Divison. On that song I can hear where you were going with the Ian Curtis thing.
Yeah, I actually thought there were two or three singers on this record when I was listeninig to it.
Thanks for the pick Crispy. There are things I do dig about this record. If nothing else, First Wave Down was worth the listen. It seems like a good way to start off a mix cd someday. It has my favorite lyrically as well. The contrast of a wave crashing on a beach and a leave settling on a wall is nice.
Hey, it's great to hear everyone's input, and to get new perspectives, even if you might not dig it. That may change for some, there are plenty of records and bands that didn't appeal to me in the past, but now I'm crazy about.
Speaking of which, time to put on Unknown Pleasures, I think.
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 10:37 PM
Hey, it's great to hear everyone's input, and to get new perspectives, even if you might not dig it. That may change for some, there are plenty of records and bands that didn't appeal to me in the past, but now I'm crazy about.
Speaking of which, time to put on Unknown Pleasures, I think.
YES!!!!! Now we're talking. :thumbsup:
Just finished this, thanks Crispy for picking a solid album! I agree with Brian a little but I think I liked it more than him. I noticed on spotify they covered Blue Jay Way from the Across The Universe soundtrack, good stuff. It sounds a lot like the original, their singer really knows how to emulate different styles.
Speaking of Joy Divison if you haven't seen this it's a must see. AMAZING!!!
"Joy Division" documentary Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2v4UwEiO-g#ws)
The movie Control is also a must see..
Ian Curtis epilepsy dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FDLwxODZt0#ws)
Quote from: ManNamedTruth on Sep 07, 2011, 10:39 PM
Just finished this, thanks Crispy for picking a solid album! I agree with Brian a little but I think I liked it more than him. I noticed on spotify they covered Blue Jay Way from the Across The Universe soundtrack, good stuff. It sounds a lot like the original, their singer really knows how to emulate different styles.
Yeah! They also covered Flying, and it is really good. They've done quite a few covers, including these from the Road Leads Where It's Led EP, with they do some different things:
Astral Weeks
Money (That's What I Want)
Girl From the North Country
Immer Wieder (Harmonia)
First Wave Down is such a badass album opener.
Quote from: Ghosts_on_TV on Sep 07, 2011, 10:55 PM
First Wave Down is such a badass album opener.
(stop, stop)
Sorry, I have to succumb to my corrective compulsions: First Wave
Intact.
And it is SUPER badass.
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 11:11 PM
Quote from: Ghosts_on_TV on Sep 07, 2011, 10:55 PM
First Wave Down is such a badass album opener.
(stop, stop)
Sorry, I have to succumb to my corrective compulsions: First Wave Intact.
And it is SUPER badass.
My bad.
Quote from: Ghosts_on_TV on Sep 07, 2011, 11:34 PM
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 11:11 PM
Quote from: Ghosts_on_TV on Sep 07, 2011, 10:55 PM
First Wave Down is such a badass album opener.
(stop, stop)
Sorry, I have to succumb to my corrective compulsions: First Wave Intact.
And it is SUPER badass.
My bad.
Nope, mine -- it's not like it's my song.
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 11:38 PM
Quote from: Ghosts_on_TV on Sep 07, 2011, 11:34 PM
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 11:11 PM
Quote from: Ghosts_on_TV on Sep 07, 2011, 10:55 PM
First Wave Down is such a badass album opener.
(stop, stop)
Sorry, I have to succumb to my corrective compulsions: First Wave Intact.
And it is SUPER badass.
My bad.
Nope, mine -- it's not like it's my song.
;D Nah, id have done the same.
Havent listened today yet, but I hope Crispy gives me a break because:
1) I own this album (1$ for it, but I remembered it from the Debut Album Draft I think, listened to it twice, and I liked it :thumbsup:)
2) Today (or I guess yesterday) was my birthday
Im a music slacker already behind during week 2. I'll catch up.
Quote from: capt. scotty on Sep 08, 2011, 02:25 AM
Havent listened today yet, but I hope Crispy gives me a break because:
1) I own this album (1$ for it, but I remembered it from the Debut Album Draft I think, listened to it twice, and I liked it :thumbsup: )
2) Today (or I guess yesterday) was my birthday
Im a music slacker already behind during week 2. I'll catch up.
Happy Birthday yesterday, slacker! ;D :beer:
Wow, what can I say? I was a Secret Machines virgin before giving this fine album a listen but to put it frankly, after a couple spins, I'm quite blown away. Kind of difficult to pick a clear cut favorite off the album but standouts are First Wave Intact, Nowhere Again, The Road Leads Where its Led & Now Here is Nowhere. I'll give the album as a whole an 8. Thanks for introducing me :beer:
Quote from: sweatboard on Sep 07, 2011, 10:38 PM
Quote from: Crispy on Sep 07, 2011, 10:37 PM
Hey, it's great to hear everyone's input, and to get new perspectives, even if you might not dig it. That may change for some, there are plenty of records and bands that didn't appeal to me in the past, but now I'm crazy about.
Speaking of which, time to put on Unknown Pleasures, I think.
YES!!!!! Now we're talking. :thumbsup:
Unknown Pleasures was almost the album I picked for Album Club #1
Thank you for the introduction to this album Crispy. I listened to it three times this week in the car I tend to agree with the general consensus that I culled from this thread. It is a solid album top to bottom that melds a number of styles. If I read correctly, there is only one vocalist? If that is the case, he is quite impressive in his versatility.
Right of the bat, it sounded like Space Oddity Bowie then going into some grungy guitar. At times it reminded me of Summerteeth Wilco with the keyboard effects and then track 4 or 5 was it where the repetitive chord structure also called to mind Spiders (Kidsmoke) though I guess Secret Machines predated that? Not sure.
Good stuff. Already recommended it to a friend I think would fall for something like this.
Great to hear several of you guys that got turned onto this record and TSM that might not have otherwise. Ruckus, do you have it on vinyl? You SERIOUSLY should if you don't.
This whole whole idea of listening to a particular record together and getting lots of opinions and perspectives is a great one, and yet another avenue for me to find new things through this forum, so for that I thank wolof! :beer:
So almost a year ago I go to this new and used music store. They have a lot of bargains, but this was the first time Id ever seen $1 CDs there. It was mostly full of 90's 1 hit wonder albums (Tracy Bonham, Eagle Eye Cherry, Chumbawumba, etc) but I was able to find some good albums Id never owned as well (Moby-Play, Silverchair-Frogstomp, Superdrag-Regretfully Yours, and more) and then in one of the last boxes I find this Secret Machines album. I was pretty shocked as Id say 80-90% of the albums in these boxes were as described above. However, I recalled Crispy's pimping of this album, so I figured what the hell and got it. It was actually the album I first put in on for the ride home. First Wave Impact hits me like a baker's dozen of concrete blocks. I got to say I was pretty much sold from there.
After just listening to it again, as Crispy said in the 1st post, this really is an album that needs to be heard front to back to fully enjoy and realize it. The song to song segues are great pretty much every time. I like the categorization of space rock. I personally hear a lot more Floyd than Zep with them (theyre more like astronaut-Zeppelin, much more towards the No Quarter side than most songs), and they likely have more apt contemporary comparisons as well. I do think the album has grown on me with each listen, probably about 5-6 listens now, although it still sags for me during You Are Chains>Light's On for whatever reason. Maybe Im starting to get bored with the sound? I dont know. This is far from my musical wheelhouse though and I like it quite a bit so it gets credit for that. Overall I think its a damn good album and quite the debut by them.
Favorite Tracks:
1) First Wave Intact
2) Pharoah's Daughter
3) Sad and Lonely
4) The Road Leads Where Its Led
Least Favorites:
1) Light's On
2) Nowhere Again
3) You Are Chains
Overall: 7.9/10