The Secret Machines’ latest release really goes back to 2010 when the group began tape-recording it in a unique, real-time style utilizing a ‘first thought is the best thought’ guideline for the session. The band reviewed their efforts throughout the pandemic and the outcome is the vast effort entitled The Moth, The Lizard, and the Secret Machines.
The trio of Brandon Curtis, Josh Garza, and Phil Karnats changed up their generally dragged out tune structuring procedure to concentrate on meditative musical experiments in the minute, which ultimately progressed into tunes. The results can be a variety as a few of the efforts gain steam, and others go to pieces as the group self-recorded these 9 tracks.
Pulsing opener “There’s No Starting Over” begins with vibrating humming prior to the substantial crashing drums and sluggish rock rate that the band savor walks out. The track digitally leaks into “I Think It’s Light Outside” among the much better efforts here that is spacey with a memorable riff drifting in and out. “Even Out The Overflow” utilizes tight drumming and layers of noises, lyrics, and vocals swirling and buzzing through speakers while the favorable efforts continue with the slapping percussion and fuzzy riffs of “The Answer”.
The dark psych-rock of “Crucifixion Time” is contagious with wartime marching drums and vibrating guitars around a skyrocketing chorus and repeated ending. Less effective is “You Want It Worse” whose siren wailing and marching rate never ever spark and the softer “Run Out The Silver Light” which meanders about and never ever sinks in. The tame critical “Last One Out” plays like a speculative movie rating, blending sound with peaceful noises while the ending “The FInalizer” feels more demo-like than a grand closing declaration.
Overall the complete album has touches of significant Secret Machine affects like Pink Floyd and the Beatles, nevertheless, the most significant parallel for this effort is The Flaming Lips. Perhaps it is the speculative recording nature or the loose, torn efforts, however these tunes seem like they might come out of Wayne Coyne’s distorted mind also.
With 2020s unexpected Awake In The Brain Chamber, the Secret Machines effectively returned with tight efforts, now with The Moth, The Lizard, and the Secret Machines the group expands sonically. For this band balancing that combo is when they are genuinely at their most powerful.
