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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Now Here Is Nowhere comes a full three years after Secret Machines first made waves in the music scene with their mini-LP September 000, and the progression they've made in that time is enormous. On this, their full-length debut, this three-piece (brothers Brandon and Benjamin Curtis and drummer Josh Garza) work to an epic scale--album opener "First Wave Intact" is a full nine-minute psychedelic prog wig-out--conveying a sense of space that could only come from America. It's this expansiveness that defines their sound, placing them comfortably alongside bands like the Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev.
"Nowhere Again" has a driving rhythm that propels the song with a frantic energy, while guitar feedback squalls loop behind Brandon Curtis's cracked, Neil Young-esque vocals, the whole thing building towards a crescendo that's ready made for an outdoor festival. It's a highlight, sure, but Now Here Is Nowhere is an album full of them: from the singalong chorus of "The Road Leads Where It's Led" to the keyboard and drum-led "Sad and Lonely". Occasionally, as on "The Leaves Are Gone", they get too blissed-out, so that the song ends before anything has actually happened, while "You Are Chains" takes a full three minutes to get started. Generally, though, Now Here Is Nowhere hits the mark. And you can't help but admire a band confident enough to include a reprise at the end of their album. --Robert Burrow
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Secret Machines live is an amazing experience. You get taken in to the music and lose yourself completely, not finding yourself again until the very last chord has rung out. This album is just the same. From the opening track, First Wave Down, you get sucked in and completely lost. The compositions on 'Now Here is Nowhere' are spectacular, every song has a great feeling of depth, like you're totally immersed in it.
A lot of people have compared this band to the Flaming Lips, and certainly, on track 3, Leaves Are Gone, you can hear their influence. But Secret Machines is a totally different beast. Brandon Curtis's vocals are much more refined, and the different layers which make up the songs seem to hold together much better.
For me 'Now Here is Nowhere' works best as a whole, listened to from start to finish. There are no stand-out tracks, it's just a stand-out album.
A lot of people have compared this band to the Flaming Lips, and certainly, on track 3, Leaves Are Gone, you can hear their influence. But Secret Machines is a totally different beast. Brandon Curtis's vocals are much more refined, and the different layers which make up the songs seem to hold together much better.
For me 'Now Here is Nowhere' works best as a whole, listened to from start to finish. There are no stand-out tracks, it's just a stand-out album.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I got this album after hearing "Sad and Lonely" on Xfm. I loved the single but the album is incredible- nine epic waves of pure pshycadelica rock washing through you.
The songs range from spectacular to achingly lovely.
The vocals are beautiful when the singer drifts to the high notes in the choruses, the lyrics are intracately crafted and everything is driven by unstoppable drums.
The music demands to be listened to- some of the finest moments come when your deep into the longest tracks.
There's no point trying to keep them secret, these guys are going to be huge. Enjoy.
The songs range from spectacular to achingly lovely.
The vocals are beautiful when the singer drifts to the high notes in the choruses, the lyrics are intracately crafted and everything is driven by unstoppable drums.
The music demands to be listened to- some of the finest moments come when your deep into the longest tracks.
There's no point trying to keep them secret, these guys are going to be huge. Enjoy.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I'm only really writing this review is because I am so gobsmacked over the previous reviewer's negative comments on this album. This is one of the best albums I've heard of all year. While there is nothing desperatley new here, this is an epic sounding album with excellent tunes, yes excellent tunes "Matt from London", and beats straight from John Bonham's grave.
The reason I love this album so much IS the so called "Rod, Jane and Freddie" melodies sprinkled through out, something which fans of Grandaddy will adore. But these guys are way more searing in the execution of their clever chord progressions than the boys from Modesto, CA.
I will concede the lyrics are a little self-absorbed and in some cases non-sensical but they sure as hell beat rhyming "walk" with "talk" and slavering on about "living your life".
If you fancy hearing what the Alt. Country boys would sound like if they all woke up drunk in the early seventies then buy this album now, you will not be disappointed.
The bottom line is these guys really "rock".
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Secret Machines
Awesome band. I got the 2nd and 3rd album before this one so I was playing catch up with this one. The main feature on this record really are the big drum beats which are a big... Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2009 by Mr. A. Garner
A fine record.
Psychedelia is ill-served in the modern age. Oasis' spiralling conclusion to 'Rock 'n' Roll Star' and the Coral both make their cases for psychedelia, but other than that there... Read more
Published on 9 July 2006 by dynamitekid156
A promising debut album...
Following the mini-LP/EP 'September 000', Secret Machines' debut-proper 'Now Here is Nowhere' advances on the promise there. Read more
Published on 23 April 2006 by Jason Parkes
Krautrock!
Very much in the spirit of bands such as Can and Faust and Neu!. Hypnotic, drone-like sounds with thunderous drones and cryptic lyrics... Read more
Published on 6 Aug 2005 by Elliot Davies
Blowing all the albums of my C.D rack
This album is pure genius from start top finish, and doesn't let up for a single second, even the pauses in between the songs are amazing. Read more
Published on 13 April 2005 by Matthew Owen
the american spiritualized?
this is the most beautiful and acomplished album i have heard since the likes of spiritualized's "ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space" and massive attacks "mezzanine",... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2005 by Psychedelic Spaceman
If Machines are the future, then plug me in....
I'd heard 'Nowhere Again' on MTV2, and thought the album could deliver, but it wasn't until I listened to 'First Wave Intact', a 9 minute sonic boom of prog sound, that I fully... Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2005 by Will Humphrey
A seminal recording from an amazing band
My first ever review for Amazon....this album is that good.
A shot-gun critique of the best album of last year by a mile. Read more
A shot-gun critique of the best album of last year by a mile. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2005 by C. P. Yendle
The best of old blended with the new
This record never seems to end. That is its beauty. You listen to it several times and it will stick in your head, but will never annoy you. Read more
Published on 31 Dec 2004 by "schu4finger"
Secret? Not for much longer
Amazing. When I first bought this album, I would have given it about 3 or 4 stars. Yet I found it really grew on me, and I was singing some of the songs without even realising it. Read more
Published on 4 Dec 2004 by "aljtafraser"
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