There's nothing immaculate about this machine. Now, It's not that their an awful band, in fact their musicianship and production is above average, and they jam like their on the verge of extinction, all the time. The band doesn't show a lot of diversity. They may go from Super-Power-Pop, to Slower-Power-Pop, to just plain Power-Pop, but song to song, they sound nearly the same; it's a formula. Their beat is ingrained in their sound, and their sound, well, it can be fairly monotonous.



The band hails from Vancouver and consists of 3 members who churn out sweaty punk/pop/rock tunes, time and time again. The songs range from political views, too personal antidotes, but it's a little diluted. A line from one song could easily fit into another song and you'd never know the difference. They do sing in 3 part harmonies and their voices are very characteristic, and maybe even too like-able; let me illustrate like so: I can imagine seeing these 3 cheery chaps singing arm in arm down the street with banana sized smiles on their faces. Now, If that's the kind of people you like singing to you, then this may be your medicine, but it's all just a little nauseating for me.



The first song, and most catchy, is Broken Ship. Luke Kozlowski plays a fast paced drum beat which opens the song and lets Brooke Gallupe's guitar accents flay into a colorful chorus. Singer Kathryn Calder sings with a welcome voice; sounding pristine and un-affected. She sings about a sinking ship and then the chorus chants out "The streets aren't my home / They'll never be my home" as Gallupe opens up the melody and the song just keeps going, nothing sinks, nothing floats, it's just keeps blowing along smoothly. The music doesn't seem to relate to the words either, it's just these three crazy cats playing music with energy and having fun.



"Invention 77" has all the right elements that lift it out of the batch of songs which these Machine have provided. The song is hard at first and then introduces contrasting elements which work together in a - what'd ya know - immaculate machine! Calder plays a mellow set of keyboards and Gallupe shoots off blast after blast from his fiery guitar, all the while Kozlowski keeps a steady and fast rhythm. The chorus, one the most important elements in a pop song, goes a little deeper. Maybe it's the words "77" or just how Calder sings with some kind of desperation as Gallupe remains calm and cool, but it's affecting. The song explodes, then implodes on itself with several catchy solos and bridges before ending brightly.



"Statue" is the final song; a methodical and slower tune. It starts very slowly with an acoustic melody as Calder sings over top of it, allowing gentle sway to form. Calder's voice sounds natural next to the sounds of strings and it begins to build steam as Calder shifts to piano and Gallupe joins her in singing. The song takes a few more turns and then, in typical Immaculate Machine fashion, cuts open wide with sharp guitars, fast rhythms, and excited energy. At the final chorus when all contrasting elements join together it sails more than "Broken Ship" ever did. Unfortunately, the whole package ends there.



I'm sure the Vancouver locals dig this band voraciously, but their sound doesn't nail on a larger note. The jingle-jangle rhythms mixed with sharp piercing guitars and feel-good keys doesn't prove itself here; it just comes off sounding a little stale and flat. I wouldn't put too much doubt on these guys though, they've got very tight production, professionalism, and undeniable talent; in my opinion, they just didn't make a great record.



Track Listing

1 Broken Ship

2 No Such Thing As The Future

3 Fire In The Lobby

4 Phone No.

5 On/Off

6 Invention '77

7 So Cynical

8 No Way Out

9 Army

10 Two Places

11 Latest Breaking News

12 Don't Leave Without Us

13 Statue