Customer Reviews

Now Here Is Nowhere

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Album: 4 stars; Live: 5 stars

The Secret Machines have been making some waves with the catchy single "Nowhere Again" on alternative radio. I liked the song, but I wasn't really compelled to buy this album until I saw the band in concert recently twicein a matter of weeks, once headlining a small club gig, and then opening for Interpol. I was blown away, it's just that plain simple.

"Now Here Is Nowhere" (9 tracks; 50 min.) is bookended by two epic 9 min. tracks. The opener "First Wave Intact" is the best track of the album, with the baddest drum playing in a long time (when the band played this in concert, I thought of the drummer "this is John Bonham incarnate!"). The closer is the title track, starting off very sweetly but then exploding into another heavy drum-driven rocker, just great. In between are some other gems, in particular "Light's On" and "Pharaoh's Daughter".

Musically, the Secret Machines are indebted to many different influences, including Led Zep, U2, heck even Flaming Lips and let's throw in Radiohead for good measure. But the trio creates a sound of their own, with great result. One of the better albums of 2004. And in case you hadn't gotten the message yet, check these guys out live, you will be rocked!

Let me get this out of the way first: I do not think this album sounds particularly like Pink Floyd, and I certainly do not find their drummer to be a classic rock throwback as I have read a lot of places. Yes, there are certain tracks, especially track 3 (which has very Floyd-esque guitars) and track 6 (which has an overall Floyd "sound", whatever that means really) that will make you think of Floyd, but their overall sound is very, very different. More than anything, they just really know how to create a sonic landscape, which is something I think a lot of people associate with Pink Floyd, and therefore find these two bands comparable. I don't really see it. The guitars are not like Pink Floyd at all. Likewise the lyrics. And the singer's voice... totally different. The drums are way too heavy to be Floyd. So, there, thats out of the way.

If I had to compare them to some other bands, I would say they are more Ok Computer and Airbag/How am I Driving-era Radiohead than anything else. They also remind me of Lake Trout, who have a definite Floyd/Radiohead thing going on. More recently they sound very much to me like the new Muse cd. I suppose they sound more like that than anything else I can think of right now.

And thats a good thing. Muse's new cd, Absolution, is far and away my favorite new cd of the year. The more I listen to Now here is Nowhere, the higher it gets on my list, but I think Muse is more solid all the way through. Their album is more cohesive. I think thats another reason why I don't get the Floyd reference with Secret Machines, because as different as Pink Floyd albums are, most of them, at least the great ones (Wish you were Here, the Wall, Dark Side, Animals...) do at least sustain the same sound throughout the album. Even the later ones without Waters manage to do that. This album, on the other hand, sounds extremely different from track to track. I'm not saying thats a bad thing, but I am saying that it doesn't remind me of Floyd.

So here's the deal then. This is an excellent album. I doubt there will be too many cds out this year that are better. But when you listen to it the first time, don't expect to hear Pink Floyd 2. You might be disappointed. I was, and I shouldn't have been, because this is a great cd, and the bands first full-length album as well. I also really think anyone that likes this should pick up Muse, Absolution. And probably give Ok Computer another listen as well, if you've written it off for whatever reason (believe it or not, not everyone likes it). That album is much more Floyd-inspired than I think most people realize.

Stand-out tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6

In a short interview in Blender magazine The Secret Machines indicated they believe that they don't so much create music as tap into some stream of exquisite solar inspiration. When the results sound as charged, adrenalized, exciting, powerful and dynamic as "Now Here is Nowhere," it's hard to argue with whatever the band is doing.

The Pink Floyd/Spiritualized axis has been mentioned to death, so let's just say that, sure, TSM do have their proggy moments and their saccharine bouts of heartbreak, but the ambition and heft displayed here is too much, too often to be described so simply.

Opener 'First Wave Intact' stretches for nine of the shortest minutes of your life, ranging from strutting instrumental in the beginning before gaining speed through the middle and finally rocketing to a death defying finish. How three guys can make this much noise is as mind blowing as the climax of this song that deftly combines spacy rock strut with background atmospherics and pounding drums.

'Sad and Lonely' continues in the same vein as 'First Wave' before 'The Leaves are Gone' slows things down to a heartbeat and voice, and that's one thing that sets this album, and this band, apart from much music that is out there: the vocals, instead of being voiced over the music, meld with and enhance with their surroundings, becoming more of a complementary instrument rather than an unworthy combatant.

'Nowhere Again' and 'The Road Leads Where it's Led' are unforgettable, both lyrically and musically, and too short at about four minutes each (you'll wish that TSM had extended 'Road's tightly wound, driving pace for at least another five minutes). 'Pharoah's Daughter' overcomes its crawling pace with perfectly placed piano and cosmic wind background effect as it slowly builds over its duration, while 'You Are Chains,' starting like a mid-era Pink Floyd song, builds and then bests anything the Flaming Lips have done in the last five years.

After 'The Light's On' races past the title track starts off nearly inaudible and slowly segues into a slow-burning ethereal romp that is part solar wind, part proggy reprise of the entire album, another nine minute masterpiece that closes out one the most incredible albums of the year.

An album this diverse and forward thinking is something that can immediately appeal to any fan of provocative musicainship, and it has the potential to win over anyone who gives it a chance. Though the indie 'underground' and NYC scenesters who feel they own the band may feel betrayed by The Secret Machines rising stock, they had better get over it because, with an album this spectacular, this band is not going to be a secret for much longer.

First, a quick rant. All of you comparring the Machines to Pink Floyd, knock it off. This is not Floyd. Not even close. There's nothing here like Gilmore's guitar technique. None of Water's anger or pathos or production with realistic sound effects. There's no concept here. You may want a Floyd album but this ain't it and there probably never will be again, so get over it.

But this is a good album. A very good album. And a relief to say it is unlike anything that's out there now. None of this rehashed "Nu-Metal" crap or "mall-punk". It's Zepplinish driving drums with distorted guitars. It's only "floyd" moments are themes of loves found & lost ("Leaves Are Gone", war ("The Road Leads Where It Led"), paranoia ("First Wave Intact") and others I still haven't quite figured out. And just when you think "Now Here Is Nowhere" is just a coda to "Nowhere Again", they go on a variation of it. "Light's On" gets my only strike as it gets redundant. Aside from that, it gets my nod for one of the Best Albums of 2004.

This is far and away the best album released in the last year. Nothing else even comes close. "Now Here Is Nowhere" is The Secret Machines first major label release after releasing the six song EP "September 000" in March of 2002. The production value and song craft are noticably improved on this album.

The comparrisons to Pink Floyd are logical if only because so few bands approach the sonic tightness and spatial ambience so blissfully associated with early Floyd. I think a better modern day comparison would be to the music of Spiritualized particularly "Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space". Like Floyd and Spiritualized, The Secret Machines reach out, grab you by your spine and take you on a sonic journey only fully realized at its conclusion. The entire album has a cohesive quality to it that remains evocative without becoming repetative.

The album opens with "First Wave Intact". Immediately the listener is pulled into TSM's world with a catchy drum beat followed by a dark guitar riff. As the lyrics begin you are immediately struck by the desperate quality of Brandon Curtis' vocals. He is both haunting and hypnotic. The song is long by modern standards (which I hate) but essential. As the synths and feedback kick in at the end of the song the listner is left hungry for more.

"Sad and Lonely" doesn't dissappoint. The second track is more of a rock song, something you might hear on the radio if the radio ever played something worth listening to. There is plenty of sonic brillance to marvel at as well. The song builds and builds keeping you on the edge of your seat before segueing into the mellowest song on the album, "Leaves Are Gone".

Track 4, "Nowhere Again" and track 5 "Road Leads Where It's Led" are quite possibly two of the best indie/psychedelic rock songs of the last 10 years. "Nowhere Again" simply rocks out. It will be stuck in your head for weeks. Track 5 is my personal favorite. It almost sounds like a British rock song. TSM's are definitley "Blowin' All The Other Kids Away" with this track.

"Pharaoh's Daughter" is more of a journey. It starts out slow and builds its hypnotic ambience until you literally feel like you are floating in space. There have been a few times where I've been listening to this song in my car at a red light with my eyes closed and been awaken to honks from impatient cars behind me obviously not listening to TSM's.

"You Are Chains" starts off slow but quickly rocks out. It is almost two songs in one. When they do bring the beat in it catches you off gaurd. You just don't expect such an extreme transition to be so smooth. They pull it off with such ease that it is hard to believe that this is their first major release.

"Light's On" is a pretty dark song about not knowing who your friends are and not knowing who you can trust.

The final song, "Now Here Is Nowhere" is basically a reprise of "Nowhere Again" at least musically. It really ties the album together.

This truly is one of the best albums I have heard in the last 10 years. I bought it off their website 2 months ago after reading about them in Guitar Player magazine. Since then it has barely left my CD changer. I've turned dozens of people on to them and everyone has been equally impressed. This album is an instant classic. I imagine that we'll see big things from these guys before it is all said and done. Get it now!!!

Actually, this is a fantastic CD for everywhere, but you know what I mean. Some CD's become your favorites to drive to. Many moons ago when I was a teenager, it was all about cruising to your favorite tunes. This is a great Rock CD that would suit that mode just fine.

Its really nice to see a new Rock Band that actually rocks. Not whines, but rocks. I will admit, the first thing that attracted me to them was the Bonham drum sound found in "Sad and Lonely," but there's much more to this band then their influences, which so many reviews here feel compelled to list.

Yeah, they wear their retro-rock influences openly on their sleeves. And that's just fine with me, because they've made a killer sound and collection of tunes. The sound itself is hard to completely define, but to me its just what the term modern rock should have evolved into. It is definitely not emo, or punk, metal, or pop. It won't leave you depressed, or sad and blue. Lyrically, track number 3 "Leaves are Gone" is a bit sappy, but that is about the only criticism I have.

Oh, first and foremost, go to their website--you can listen to the whole CD there and make up your mind based on the music, not on which band these silly reviewers feel compelled to compare them too. This leaves you with no excuse to buy the CD and then complain about it--you will know exactly what you are getting. I knew after about 3 tracks online that I had to buy this, and its not left my CD player since. In fact, if its not playing, I start to get antsy about playing it again.

Secret Machines are definitely "blowing all the other kids away."

Just three guys huh?

Hmmm...sounds like an army at times.

A disciplined and focused army.

Good record.

Very good record.

I'm 53 and I live for music like this...it's why I still listen for new sounds and new approaches.

Yeah, there are still new approaches to be discovered.

You may not think this is anything new, but I do, and that's why I like it.

One of the reasons.

It rocks, it soothes, and it affects.

Give it a shot...let it rock, soothe, and perhaps affect you.

That's what new music's all about.

Big spacy grooves. Strong, almost familiar melodies. It sounds wide open & full at the same time. Obligatory comparison: kind of like Pink Floyd meets The Flaming Lips with John Bonham on drums. I like it a lot.

Probably too good to ever be heard on the radio. You should buy it.

Being in my late thirties and not being excited about any "new" music since the BUCK PETS debut in 1989, these guys bring passion and power to these bleak days of corporate radio garbage. It's nice to know that there is at least one band out there making fantastic music that creates a sprawling modern soundscape and rocks you at the same time. They sound like NO ONE ELSE NOW so save the FLOYD and LED references. Beautiful noise that does not need be defined. All hail the MACHINES.

This album is really one of the best I've ever heard in my life. It's so emotive and complex, and no, complex doesn't necessarily mean crazy prog-metal guitar and keyboards. The Secret Machines are seriously on a whole different level than 95% of all other bands today. They are subtle and driving, natural and mechanical, emotive and distant all at the same time.

The music itself is gorgeous: distorted, effected, ethereal squeaking guitars, thumping bass, driving drums (which, when combined with the bass, always seem to remind me of a heart beating), and atmospheric, hazy keys. There are hints of a lot of other bands here: Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, Brian Eno, Rush, U2, The Flaming Lips . . . the thing is, though, the Secret Machines don't feel like a hashing together of these bands, nor do they feel like they are imitators. The other bands appear only because your brain jumps at them when there really is no way to classify this music. It's ambient-experimental-punk-prog-synth-rock. And it's amazing.

And then you get to the lyrics. I really think these guys are writing some of the best words in music in the past 25 years. The lyrics, to me, feel like what emo would be if it didn't have the airs of a petulant, whining teenager. A friend of mine said, and rightly so, that these guys could conquer the world with the lyrics to "The Road Leads Where It's Led". All of these songs are powerfully, emotionally loaded.

This is definitely one of the most moving albums I've ever listened to.