Ten Silver Drops
by Secret Machines
  • Record Label: Reprise
  • Release Date: Apr 25, 2006
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. Blender
    60
    The results can sometimes get bland; unlike its predecessor, which was moody and aimless, Drops is so polished that there are no ragged edges left to hang on to. [May 2006, p.109]
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  2. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Although they are more focused on Ten Silver Drops, they also sound more reined-in and less idiosyncratic.
  3. cokemachineglow
    59
    The Secret Machines are still super tight, Josh Garza’s still got restrained guitar awe on his side, every song’s arrangement is still an ebb and re-ebb of soaking synth and organ drone, and the lyrics still battle with neo-adult ennui. Is it any wonder, then, that there comes a time when this can just get dull?
  5. Stylus Magazine
    50
    While it's admirable that The Secret Machines are trying to solidify their niche as the go-to guys for soundtracking laser light shows (or at least My Morning Jacket for indoor kids), Ten Silver Drops is a sideways moonwalk that won't get them any further away from the planetarium circuit.
  6. Paste Magazine
    50
    Its ideas tend to outnumber its hooks. [Apr/May 2006, p.102]
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  7. AllMusic
    50
    Secret Machines now sound uncannily like a fusion of U2 and INXS.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. RichardH
    Apr 27, 2007
    6
    What a letdown. I loved Now Here is Nowhere and thought that the Secret Machines were poised for big things, but this album left me What a letdown. I loved Now Here is Nowhere and thought that the Secret Machines were poised for big things, but this album left me scratching my head. The best parts of the original album were the throbbing rhythms. Sadly, this new disk is mixed so that the drums are almost an afterthought. The only song that captured the sound that I dug in the past album was "Daddy's in the Doldrums" which was a pretty good listen, but none of the other songs jumped out at me. I'm going to give this CD some time to change my mind, but so far I'm disappointed at the step back that this band has apparently taken.… Full Review »
  2. LeylaH
    Sep 26, 2006
    1
    I heard these guys at the Austin City Limits Festival and they ROCKED! I went and bought this album and it SUCKED! Either they are only good I heard these guys at the Austin City Limits Festival and they ROCKED! I went and bought this album and it SUCKED! Either they are only good live or maybe like Mark H said, they were playing thier old stuff at that show I saw. I was truly dissapointed with 10 drops. It was alot lot of "guy whineing" in my opinion.… Full Review »
  3. MarcH
    Jul 20, 2006
    4
    This album is terrible compared to their last. They went from hard hitting, spacey rock to BORING in one album. Such a disappointment.
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