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Leaves
Secret Machines
At King's Cross Scala, Islington
If you like your Keane, Coldplay and Aqualung, then the **Leaves are the ones for you. Some may argue it’s pure 'bedwetting' music, but mocking aside, they’re always there when you feel the urge to open the floodgates while sobbing yourself silly into your pillow. And let’s face it, we all like a bit of self indulgence when we’re feeling melancholic.
But be rest assured, these Icelandic sensitive souls have a powerful kick to their despair. With thundering keyboard chords crashing into an almost euphoric torment, singer Arnar Gudjonnsson stirring vocals leave a whole audience bewildered. Being miserable has never sounded so good.
Cue the Secret Machines, who are just in time to lift up spirits and balance things out. The three Texan boys, who moved to New York and presented us with 'Now Here Is Nowhere', earlier this year – have been noted for their impressive psychedelic blues and actually give a little extra post modern edge to the prog rock landscape.
Complete with a wall of fairy lights, blue neon bars and an attire that could possibly be missing from Carlos D’s wardrobe – tonight’s performance is a special treat. They begin with, 'First Wave In Tact', which is highly explosive thanks to it’s grinding guitars and brash percussion. But it’s 'Sad And Lonely' that really gets things to boiling point as the Curtis brothers battle out rhetorical questions together, with a resonating slide guitar that charges electrical shocks into the airwaves.
Amusing throughout is drummer, Josh Garza’s aggressive intense pounding which gives his wild, wiry long hair a life of its own. They close with 'Nowhere Again' - Brandon’s Lou Reed-stylee tale, which is full of mystery, intrigue and is incredibly addictive.
While they may not necessarily be on the same wavelength as the Mars Volta**, the Secret Machines are still pretty much up there when it comes to innovation.
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Secret Machines
Er..the record's called 'Now Here is Nowhere' -
Secret Machines
>While they may not necessarily be on the same wavelength as the Mars Volta
Indeed not. Because I can happily listen to the (excellent) Secret Machines album without losing the will to live. -
Secret Machines
No Mystery Jets review
Laters!
Secret MAchines a load of rubbish i swear. -
mystery jets
yeah where is the review for band of the night .MYSTERY JETS!!! -
Secret Machines
So leaves are still around ! Any new songs ? Still on b-Unique or searching for a new home ?
First album had some good strong songs and many fillers, can we hope better ? -
Secret Machines
Thanks for providing the name of Mystery Jets. They stank like a dead tramp in a heatwave. Is that a good enough review for ya? -
Secret Machines
i have to agree that the mystery jets do rock quite hard -
Secret Machines
Saw the SMs at Nottingham Rock City supporting the 'Pol and I must say I was very disappointed. They were so very DULL. The drummer played the same thing for what seemed like hours and it was basically poorly played 'pyschrock'. Effects pedals can't hide rubbish songs. -
Re: Secret Machines
I was at that gig!! :)
SM's were awful that night, truly awful!! Bad sound, bad choice of songs to play, etc etc
Check out the album if you get chance though, it is very good!!! (skip track one, it's pants!)
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