Traveling north to Canada, I am checking in with a band that is a member of the Progressive Gears family of prog artists; Machines Dream. Having been previously been reviewed here in the Concert Closet, Machines Dream has recently released a new album entitled "Black Science." Exciting and a bit rewarding to see them continuing their journey through the prog garden.
The album is a concept of sorts, dealing with war through history and the mark it left on those who served their countries and railed against the death and destruction...and of course the sad truth that man seems unwilling and/or unable to learn from his past mistakes. Strong statements and powerful imagery are sure to abound, so let the review begin...
The album opens with a Big Brother-esque intro called "Armistice Day." The voice-over in conjunction with the control room sounds in the background lead one to believe the forthcoming experience will be a foreboding journey down into the darker regions of man's soul. As this song bleeds into the next cut, "Weimar," I pick up a tension that is both musically fascinating and emotionally draining...Machines Dream is cutting deep through many levels with this album. This song has top notes of Pink Floyd wafting like plumes of smoke with perhaps a hint of Genesis caught up in the aromatics. Machines Dream changes tempo and mood several times throughout, much like Dream Theater freewheelin' the mood elevator on "Scenes From A Memory."
Moving a bit farther down the buffet line, I discover the title cut. I always enjoy playing title cuts over and over as they tend to give more insight into what the artist/band is trying to convey with the entire album...or perhaps I just overthink things. Either way, this particular one digs its talons in deep and forces you to focus and listen. Opening with gentle keyboards, the song quickly bores through to the marrow and enters your bloodstream, moving through your entire being like blood pumping through stretched arteries. There is a tension riding across the top of the entire piece like a razor held close to the jugular by a desperate kidnapper...just stay calm...
Machines Dream seem to prefer surveying the thicker, denser section of the prog garden and this next serving is another example; "Heavy Water." There is a narrative running through this album which taps you on the prefontal cortex...almost subconsciously getting you to pay closer attention to what is being said/sung as much as the music it is wrapped in. The piano here isn't portentous or menacing, but rather a warning sign of the serious subject matter you are being immersed in. The drums hold everything together as the mood continues down a dark tunnel...
Liner Notes...Machines Dream is Craig West on lead vocals and bass, Rob Coleman on lead guitar, Brian Holmes on keyboards, Jake Rendell on all things acoustic and backing vocals, and Ken Coulter on drums. Hailing originally from Ontario Canada, the band is on Progressive Gears Records, which has quite a stable of young progressive talent. Machines Dream refer to themselves as atmospheric, cinematic prog, and while this album continues that theme--they are more than that. "Black Science" delivers on the prog front with an ornate sound you would expect from a band that moves through the artistic section of the prog garden. But they also deliver meaningful, hard-hitting lyrics that make you stop for a second.
Check out Machines Dream on their Facebook page Machines Dream FB and Twitter @MachinesDream. You can purchase this album and the rest of th Machines Dream catalog at their Bandcamp site Machines Dream BC as well as the Progressive Gears website Machines Dream PGR. By now you know my feelings in regard to buying the music and supporting the bands and artists here in the prog garden, so I will refrain from my usual rant...just please buy this music...
To that end I am not posting a video clip this week, but suffice to say "Black Science"--and all Machines Dream has pressed into vinyl and disc--is a sound you need to hear top appreciate. One last song for review...to get your prog appetite whet as it were..."Noise to Signal." Once again the opening draws from history to give you a glimpse of the future as drums and guitar suddenly wash over your ears like lava erupting from what was thought to be an idle volcano...no reason to panic, just pay close attention...
And with that we are ever closer to the pulse of prog. Machines Dream mixes a classic sound; parts Pink Floyd, Genesis, Marillion, and a touch of Gentle Giant carrying the portent of the world around us today. The beauty of the prog garden is the relevance of the music to its surroundings...Machines Dream captures that essence and drives the point home like an archer's arrow through the bulls-eye. Grab it and take all it has to offer...
Now, as the sand drops from the hourglass for the week, the Concert Closet continues the search for all things prog as the garden continues to offer a rich summer harvest...until next time...
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