A Terrible Thing - No Machine Album Review
No Machine
Album Review
No Machine’s debut album instantly promises an awful lot from such a young band. Describing their work as “Stimulating Rock” as well as being “On the darker side of pop music”, the band’s debut work promises to be interesting at the very least.
No Machines work proves to be interesting throughout the course of their album; skilfully combining unique keyboard based work as well as an organ to provide an interesting sound. Short track ‘Devine’ might come across as lacking lyrically, but the instrumental work the band put forward is an example of what they can do. Following track ‘Elevator’ is a downbeat track which uses soft guitar & drums combined with lyrics based around a hopeless human slipping into depression. The bands so called “Dark side of pop” emerges through this song with good results.
No Machine’s first single from album ‘A Terrible Thing’ is track ‘Tell Me’, a slow track based around a stranger met at a train stranger. The song is unlikely to achieve great heights as a single. It contains no real hook, nothing draws you in particularly and although the instrumentals are good it doesn’t stand-out above other album tracks. ‘The Sunshine [Aint no friend of mine]’ proves the standout track from the cd. The song seems a strong choice for a future single, its catchy lyrics, soft keyboard and guitar combination shine through in this track coming together well to show what No Machine are all about.
‘A Terrible Thing’ is a decent entry from the six piece London band. The unique aura about their music is a definite plus, although could prove a downfall as it can’t see where it would fit into conventional rock or pop music. They prove a refreshing act from an overcrowded rock genre, although despite their brave attempt of fitting lyrics which everyone can connect with, it doesn’t suit their brand of music and would work much better with Kate Nash or Lily Allen singing them. Certainly a band with an interesting future though!
