Album Reviews

The Secret Machines

Ten Silver Drops

2006-06-02

A “propulsive” trio , their follow-up to the 2004 debut is self-described as “more song-y.” Others might say they owe a debt to German experimental pop, but kudos for the chords and melodic movement are due to a year and a half on the road with few breaks for anything but eating and sleeping. Off tour, they traveled to London to record this album and hired a guy that has mixed some pretty big pop acts (NIN, Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine). In stark violation of the pop rock rule that “if you cant say it in three minutes, something’s wrong,” the guys think their 5-minute-average songs are “worth soaking in.” -Pete