Customer Reviews

Suicide Machines

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

Its a shame that people are so set in the notion that a band should continue to produce the same sound with each release. This season marks a definite change, but it is a change for the better, especially after Battle Hymns, which didn't take a single risk and was as boring as an Amazon.com listener review. Don't compare it to Blink; this is a unique cd which varies itself with each track so it never gets boring.

i don't know why everyone's trashing this album. i've followed the suicide machines since Destruction by Definition, so when this came out, i already knew exactly what kind of sound they had. i was very happy with the sound of their first two albums and this album didn't let me down at all. i was actually very impressed. to me, what this third album did was say, "hey, we've proven that we can play this fast punk stuff. it's been done. now let us show you how much ELSE we're capable of." they really spread their wings on this, keeping the same suicide machines foundation but expanding it tremendously.

the first song is one of my favorites by them, it's just a great solid tune. it pretty much doesn't let down from there. it's a whole album of incredibly talented musicianship and songwriting, ending in one of the best and most unlikely covers ever.

i still don't see how people can hear this album and not love it. i think it's probably one of the single greatest albums i've ever heard. if nothing else, you have to appreciate the skill. people that cry "sellout" are mindless anyway, what do they know?

I usually read reviews just to see how good an album is because you're only as good as the fan base you carry. But once in a while you run into reviews that just puzzle you. The best way to describe this cd however without any bull about sellout is diversifying. The Suicide machines have put out a cd where they show how versatile and talented they are as musicians and as long as they don't permanently change to this style, which they haven't, then this cd can be considered a great change of pace and a reccomended buy. I guess i can see how people could consider this kinda a more pop sound but for anyone who actually knows ska you'll realize this is more of an early 90's ska that lots of bands used to play like Cousin Oliver, Jeffries fan club, Less than jake etc. Bottom line is BUY THIS CD you wont be dissapointed and you can always buy there other cd's if you want to hear vintage suicide machines. O and here's a thought, a lot of times when your favorite bands try something different you don't like them but try thinking of it like this... if they were a completely new band you've never heard would you like there music? this'll help you get rid of any expectations you may have about that band and help you enjoy the different style they are playing

where did this come from? I was anticipating hardcore!. If youre looking for a good ska/punk CD look elswhere. The band definatley sold out on this one but their first two rock.

The Suicide Machines have historically been known for pounding, screaming punk rock, a respectable genre well worth exploring. But on their new album, they go for something *gasp* different.

There's always talk of "selling out" when bands explore a different sound. REM "sold out" with Monster, Metallica with Load, etc. The term implies that the group is alienating their old fans in a bid for commercial success. The accusation rarely holds water -- what did Metallica have to prove after the black album, or REM after Automatic for the People? They already HAD commercial success -- and all the wailing about Suicide Machines is no exception.

This is a daring exploration in different and more complex musical genres, not a sell-out. The Machines try everything from an Irish-influenced 6/8 drinking song (oh, that's *obviously* a bid for commercial success) to a little Blink 182-style pop to a wailing cover of a Country and Western song. The results -- the bravado pays off, and you get a very listenable disk that sounds like three or four different bands were involved. Artists as diverse as Tom Waits, They Might Be Giants, and Chuck E. Weiss take this eclectic approach to making an album, and the results are always intriguing. Looking for a more complex sound, or simply a different sound, is not a sign of weakness in a band -- generally, it's a sign of boredom, and generally it results in a new shot of energy. If the *only* type of music you like in the world is screaming, pure punk, then you won't like this album. But if that's your deal, you should probably try to expand your horizons and check it out anyway.

Allow me to preface this review by saying that tsm was my favorite band back when all I knew of them was Destruction by definition and Battle hymns, but this album did not change my feelings at all. This cd has proven that they can do almost any style they want to and do it well. In fact, next to destruction by definition this is my favorite cd, despite the lack of intense energy. Even though the band's style has changed for the time being, I don't know if they would be as solid a band if they never changed at all, and the fact that they made the change so well only speaks highly of their abilities. Maybe in the future they'll bring back some of the old elements they had, but whatever they do, they'll always retain that same suicide machines quality that's so indescribably awesome. Besides, this album is simply amazing to chill with.

While it may not be legendary, as most of the other Suicide Machines albums are to me, it sure proves to a lot of people that The Suicide Machines aren't just a bunch of working class kids from Detroit that whine and complain about today's politics with heavy music. This is the defining point in every band's career, where they show if they will be successful, or just jump into the mainstream pile like so many other bands do. This quartet wanted to show everybody that they can write and play more than what they are known for, and I think they do it very well on this album. My favorites include :

2. Permanent Holiday - An up-beat thriller that is just a quick, great song.
3. The Fade Away - This track slows things down a bit. I'd have to say my favorite part of this one is the bridge.
8. I Hate Everything - Almost sounding a little rap-core on this one, such as P.O.D. or Linkin Park, The Suicide Machines will have you punching holes in walls with 'I Hate Everything'.
12. Reasons - TSMs go back to their roots with this track. It may be short, but it sounds like it just came off "Battle Hymns". My personal favorite.
14. I Never Promised You A Rose Garden - A remake of a droopy, slow classic. The cut time in this track is really what makes it sound full.

Altough it came at kind of a bad point in their career, considering that a band's third album is its defining line, it's still music to my ears. And while it may not be for everyone, I'm a big fan of this CD, and if you like the Suicide Machines, you should really consider it. Thank you for your time.

Sure the Suicide Machines released a very different album than their two previous. I'm sick of hearing people get angry at them for "selling out" or trying to break into the mainstream market. Have you heard any of these songs on the radio? You have to look deeper into the music to find their real ambitions. First off, this CD is great regardless of whether you are a fan of the first two or not. The songs have great hooks which make this a "feel good" record. Now, here is my theory. Every song on this album is different. If you look at the industry trends about this time you'll see that many songs fall right into a particular category. From pop-punk, to symphonic ballads, to rap/hardcore crossover. This album is a spit in the face to their own major record label. My theory is that the major label, disturbed by the low sales of their second album were trying to force them to make an album that was commercially more acceptable. The Suicide Machines intentionally took it way over the limit to make fun of/spite major record labels and mainstream music. This is not a serious album, it is a joke. But it's a damn catchy joke and worth every penny you spend on it. BUY IT!!!!

Whether you're new to this band or not, the opening number "Sometimes I Don't Mind" will be met with confusion. Old fans will wonder where the ska and hardcore has gone, and newcomers will wonder how a band called "Suicide Machines" could sound so non-threatening.

The Machines 3rd album is certainly a departure from their signature sound, obviously an attempt to break into the mainstream in the wake of blink-182's making it big. However, the confusion brought on by "Sometimes I Don't Mind" fades as soon as track 2, "Permanent Holiday" begins. Dripping in punk attitude, the slacker anthem is the best track on the album. It's a while before that magic is replacated though - in fact, we wait until nearly the end of the album before the energy rises to the same level with the drinking song "Goodbye For Now," and the frenzied cover of "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden" that was recorded for the S.L.C. Punk soundtrack.

Unfortunately, the attempts to go mainstream aren't quite as consistent. "No Sale" and "Extraordinary" are memorable, (particularly the last, which employs a full Beatles-esque string arrangement), but others like "Too Many Words," and "Perfect Day" are so slickly arranged that they could pass for sitcom theme songs. Elsewhere, their attempt at Linkin Park nu-metal, "I Hate Everything" is forced and messy.

For evidence of just how far removed from the mainstream the Suicide Machines can go, look no further than "Reasons." That one-minute long blast of scathing hardcore punk shows that even on their poppiest album yet, the Suicide Machines can still tear it up like no other.

Many of the other reviews on here are very true, they have definatly took a turn for the worst. Their sound has lost ALL ska and basically all their GOOD punk sounds. This just sounds like every other band out there that iz on MTV. But disregarding all that, I think this album is acually pretty good. Of course its not their older sound, but still its good. This is more of somthing that i can listen with my mom. I think the songs "Too Many Words" and "Perfect Day" sound like somthing from the Beach Boys.
After all that I would still say this iz an album to buy if you like the new "trendy" punk scene that has been hitting our local radios and television stations.
I have only been listing to this band for about 6 months, but own about all their cds and listen to them non-stop. I think any true fan (not calling myself one) would stick with them either rain or shine. I started listing to this band from Tony Hawk's first game and the disney movie BRINK! (Give still happens to be my favorite song)

Lets just all hope their new cd coming out in July will sound like their older stuff.