New Secret Machines

I'm just glad there was something on the record to reassure me that they haven't lost the plot entirely. My first impression (Atomic Heels) set my expectations so low that I think I was "listening negatively" for much of the record, until "The Walls are Starting to Crack" shooke me out it. I think I'll be able to go back to it and give it a more honest listen the next few times through.

Well I was disappointed the first couple of times too. But even "Atomic Heels" sounds quite groovy now (and yeah I REALLY didn't like that one at first). I genuinely think this might be their best, most consistent record, although these songs don't really top the highs that book-end their previous two full-lengths (the first and last tracks of each album are by FAR the best things on them imo).

Pitchfork review is a sort of 8.0-8.5 quality review, but they give it 7.2. Humph.

Just got back from seeing them tonight. New songs work better live - everything just on the edge of flying apart. New guitarist is OK, but he's too quick going from zero to feedback squeal. Kinda annoying because he's got a great textural Manzanera-esque sound but he doesn't stay there enough. Brandon is playing an eight-string bass now and between that and Garza's drumming it's low-frequency heaven.

Garza really is an amazing drummer.

I thought Brandon had been playing that 8-string for a while!

The new album has been growing on me, but it's still nowhere near as... epic as the other 3.

I'm gutted because School of Seven Bells cancelled their Pure Groove instore last night. Is it time they got their own thread?

Wait, I just realized, I don't think I've heard these guys yet. I should get around to that.

Who? School of Seven Bells? I think you'd really like them. they'd push a lot of yr ethereal girls buttons. Except they're more... warm and inviting than cold and pristine and ethereal. I kind of think of their musical palette being more reds and ochres and plums than ethereal which is all icey blue and lilac.

http://www.myspace.com/schoolofsevenbells

(I know I'll get beaten up on this thread if I say I actually think they're better than Secret Machines, but they're more... KATE than Secret Machines are currently. Kind of like a mashup between Cluster and early Throwing Muses.)

Haha, no, I meant I still have never heard the Secret Machines!

WAHT?!?!?!??!?!

Barrus, you are closer, hit him with something! Hard!

i too am fairly surprised by this revelation

Well I keep hearing their name but they're one of those 'oh right I suppose I should get around to them' bands to me. Lately I tend to listen more to obscure electronic/techno weirdness.

I thought Brandon had been playing that 8-string for a while!

When I saw them a couple years ago he had a EB-2 (or something like it)

Lately I tend to listen more to obscure electronic/techno weirdness.

Don't want to drag this thread OT, but I'm curious to know the details ... Name names? Link threads?

Putting that on another thread would be a good idea, considering this is a SECRET MACHINES thread and Ned has never even heard them.

(grrrrrr)

I too would like to hear more about the electro weirdness. Ned, if yr listening, have you posted a load of these to a recent purchases thread?

I will see what I can do when my brain is not so fogged.

cool!

s/t album very much underrated, underexposed...a real shame, because they've still got something to give

you mean their first ep thing? If so, then very much agree. Loved this. Now here is.. was a major disappointment afaiwc.

nono, i mean their recent s/t album. still haven't heard september 000

I once saw Secret Machines when they were supporting ...Trail of Dead on their Source Tags & Codes tour, around 2001-2002 I suppose. They were really, really good but gave off misleading impression as to what their forthcoming albums would sound like. When I saw them they started with a 20 minute long song, one that I think was included on September 000, only this performance was just one repeating guitar line, building and building in what would now be derided as "GYBE! style". It was mindblowing. It was tough to give the full lengths they released after that a proper chance because I went into them expecting postrock builds.

I saw them live in 2004ish and they blowed my mind.

Now Here will have a special transition-to-college place in my hart.

I saw them live in 2004ish and they blowed my mind.

Interpol tour?

yessir

I was there too!

get dressed eeeeeasy on your evening chest.

self-titled record still the one i find myself going back to, although objectively NHIN might be the better album (and certainly has the more iconic songs, at the book-ends)

but dammit 'last believer, drop dead' might be a 3rd-gen FWI rip-off rhythmically but it's so fucking amazing in every other way, and the rest of the album just works really nicely in sequence

New single out now. I like it!

What's the title? Where can i find?

Do they have anything else like "Lightning Blue Eyes?" I think it's their best song, but I haven't heard all their stuff.

What's the title? Where can i find?

It's on iTunes, or listen to it here: http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=122&p=7925

thx

is it too early for me to say how fucking brilliant secret machines are sounding tonight ?

hope not.

i only have 'now here .. ' and 'ten silver drops', and fuck, i am on verge of genuine tears as to the perfect spots the albums are hitting.

Miss u miss u miss uuuuu u u u u u

I promised Brandon I wouldn't hate on Interpol too much right now, because they are providing a good home for Brandon right now, but jeez when I think of the things that we don't get to listen to because Brandon is off being Gillian Gilbert on yet another Interpol tour (last TSM album, Cosmicide album (Brandon's solo project) etc.) it really does make me kinda Grrrr.

But mostly missssss uuuuuuuuuuuuu

Maybe the Electric Flower Group album will hit the spot in the meantime! Read an interview with Josh today that made me hope something would be happening with that soon!

EFG news for the fans of Mr Garza: http://www.theweeklings.com/joe-daly/2014/04/07/elevator-stories-and-the-secret-of-grooving-the-return-of-electric-flower/

hello bb.

i did worry about posting this cos of your 'connection' to the groove.

(And yeah, I am being bratty; I am aware there are perfectly good reasons recently that Brandon can take as long as he needs to finish his stuff.)

((But really, I would much rather have new Curtis material than new Interpol. He is way more talented. There; I said it. Not even sorry!))

AFAIC, there's no better way to honour Benjamin's memory than to listen to his truly awe-inspiring music! This stuff is so great.

there is some excellent motorik on the debut album

It's my birthday and I'm listening to Now Here Is Nowhere.

This album will be 10 years old next month. Kinda wish like there was going to be a deluxe remaster special anniversary edition with bonus tracks and full colour glossy booklet etc but I guess not. Hard to think of another album released in the past 10 years that's had the same impact and long-lasting-ness.

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!

http://m.noisey.vice.com/blog/cosmicide-a-new-disaster-premiere

Cosmicide - Brandon's new project. (Video is really, really visually stunning (though I'm slightly annoyed Brandon isn't in it) too - worth waiting for.)

Can't remember if I started a Cosmicide thread (probably not) or if I mentioned this on SVIIB or InterLOL threads?

Now Here is Nowhere is awesome.

I want to say I saw them open up for interpol on this tour. I had seen Interpol at a smaller club, and came away very impressed. But Interpol following the secret machines were such a bore.

You can vote for a vinyl reissue here http://runoutgroovevinyl.com/now-here-is-nowhere-2lp.html

Expanded reissue of Ten Silver Drops on the way - https://shop.runoutgroovevinyl.com/ten-silver-drops-expanded-edition-1.html

God I loved that album. Tracks 1 through 3 are a hell of a run. They were great on the tour, as I recall.

A few years back I took a hiatus from reading about music and didn't read the news about Benjamin Curtis until a year after he died. Very sad.

i love ten silver drops so much