2004's Now Here Is Nowhere was Secret Machines second masterpiece from which the trio from Texas staked a claim to be one of the best bands of today and tomorrow! Both sides of the Atlantic have warmed to the charm and prowess of the band, and with this latest offering the respect and admiration has only increased. It seems that the 'Machines have grown and become a ever expanding force, which is gathering apace with speed, so much so that each and every gig they play, whether it be on home soil or here in the UK, feels like unique stance from which the band sends out a notice to anybody and everybody who is listening stating that Secret Machines will be a crucially big cog in the mechanical wheel of the mighty music machine!
Brothers Ben and Brandon Curtis, together with Josh Garza have compiled a nine song album which delivers a high speed punch, from which the resulting impact can leave you totally spaced out (by this I mean the creativity of the tracks, the lyrics, and the whole ensemble makes you crave for a large slice of the action!) The elements with which the whole album is put together is intriguing and captivating. A simple set of drum, guitar, keyboard, create a whirlwind of emotions, from which you sense that each track was compiled from deep within the heart of the Texas trio's domain. The opening number First Wave Intact is an epic in anyone's books. Hovering round the nine minute mark, this song can rightfully be called an anthem. It has the aspects and elements, and the qualities to qualify as an anthem. The lyrics firmly support this theory: "I wonder what you're waiting for/ I wonder what you're working for/ I wonder what you're living for/ I wonder what you're dying for/". The idea of reason? The whole almighty purpose. What's it all about? The question that is left to be pondered over.
Sad And Lonely starts the proceedings with a bit of kick up the A***. The drum beat really pounds, and resonates the dynamics of the track, giving the sound a firm foundation from which to launch from. This is tracks has a brother on the album in the form of Now Here Is Nowhere, the two are similar from a certain point of view. Each displaying the eagerness to please, and bring forth the element of crashing and booming explosions, which simply demands attention.
The Leaves Are Gone sees the Machines gentle, peaceful, neigh tranquil side. From listening to the lyrics you suddenly interpret a winter scene of a small bridge joining the two sides of a river together. Each bank is covered with snow, the river itself is frozen over and the air is still. The trees which line the edge of the woods on one side of the river are laced with snow, the tips of the branch carrying a small line of ice white snow.
Nowhere Again sees the Machine return to it's more powerful and resonate side. Again the driving force behind the sound is provided by the drums. The bass drums is positively on fire. The fireworks really come to life, a bonfire is lit and the jumping and spitting flames fly through the night air warming the faces of the crowd that has gathered (what does that mean? Ed). Play this one with the bass turned up to full and the treble whack up to! It's pretty awesome.
The Road Leads Where It's Led, is for me the best track on the album! The drum beat is again very prominent, it's almost like the ghost of John Bonham striking the drum heads! Lyrically as good as it gets - We communicate in semaphore/No language, we've got flags of our own/... Blowing all the other kids away/with all of your charm/ Put simply The Secret Machines at their best!!!
Pharaoh's Daughter has that slightly haunted feel to it. The sensation of an additional presences near by. A track with a slow tempo, gently gliding through the air like a lonely doves feather, blown gentle from a neighboring nest.
You Are Chains continues in the same fashion as Pharaoh's Daughter. The Lightness with which the piano is played is soft and genteel, almost spellbinding in a way, placing you almost into a trance, or maybe a deep satisfying sleep. The tale depicts chains that are a symbol for restraint and confinement. Denying you the chance to progress and achieve what you wanted to set out do.
Light's On jumps feet first onto a fast moving express train which blazes a trail across any path it ventures down. The concept of the lights on echoes a point where a decision hinges on a condition, a variable of some kind. To progress, and move on you need the right set of circumstances to gather the elements to proceed.
No Here Is Nowhere likes its brother before, its an epic in the making. The songs takes elements from Nowhere Again and amendments, adds, builds upon the foundation laid down by the original track. It crashes and bangs itself from side to side like a young child throwing himself from one side of a bounce castle to the other. Trying to hit the side as hard and as fast as possible so that the rebound effect will throw the object/person back as fast and hard as it was hit!
Having seen the band live at The Electric Ballroom earlier this year [2005], I was completely sucked into the 'Machines world and was really looking forward to hearing all of the over songs, especially The Road Leads Where It's Led.* The gig was fucking ace! The band delivered all the songs with a certain swagger and purpose. It was a memorable show. One of the best songs other than the obvious was First Wave Intact - that was even better live! Amazing song!
The album overall is just what the doctor ordered. Clean, crisp, calm, cool, direct, indirect, up beat, intense, spaced out and fucking sound! Secret Machines are a band who have created a mighty noise and will be invading your CD player very soon. If you don't believe me, go check them out yourselves and buy the album. It may well change your perspective and alter your views!
* Noel Gallagher is a fan of Secret Machines and apparently his favorite song from the album is The Road Leads Where It's Led. Bet you didn't know that!
[See other stuff on the Secret Machines at Epitonic.com - Ed]