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Secret Machines - Secret Machines
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Metascore
65 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 5 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The third album for the alternative-rock band is the first to include the band's new guitarist, Phil Karnats.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Mojo
    80
    The NYC three-piece are a band playing to their strengths. [Feb 2009, p.113]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. The Guardian
    80
    Eleven-minute closer 'The Fire Is Waiting' is a sub-Mogwai damp squib, but this album reaffirms not just what Secret Machines believe in, but what they're best at--making accessible prog with shiny buttons.
  3. No Ripcord
    60
    On the new one, the drums still thunder and the space rock vibe is intact, but something is missing--and I'm not sure that something is Ben Curtis.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. AG
    10
    The best acid trip album in recent memory.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. reynr.
    10
    This is an incredible step for The Secret Machines. These guys really took it to another level. Josh Garza's drums are as heavy as ever. Brandon Curtis' lyrics are thought provoking and perceptive. Philip Karnats' technique is dizzying. The guitar seems to have a voice and it’s achingly beautiful. The sounds that are made on "The Walls are Starting to Crack", "Now You're Gone", and "The Fire is Waiting" are mind-boggling and heart-wrenching. The record is a trip. It’s ethereal and dark, at times sentimental, and reminiscent of everything you love about psychedelia, glam, krautrock, and prog-rock all rolled into one. It appears having their own label has allowed them to find themselves artistically. And kudos. They've done an amazing job.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. jacek
    8
    Very good, and much better than expected considering line up changes.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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