New Machine - New Machine

Year of Release: 2003
Label: Aeria Records
Catalog Number: 6 5582 55030-2 3
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

I have already read several reviews on New Machine's self titled album, and most of them were not too positive. But after giving the album a few spins, I do have a different opinion. I like the album very much. New Machine is the work of David Garcia (drums, keys, vocals) and Bob Gilmartin (guitars, bass, vocals), who are childhood friends and [who have been] making music together for over 20 years now. They have played in several bands and projects together, the last one being Phantom's Opera, where Gilmartin took the place of Michael Romeo (Symphony X). However, the two of them had ideas on music and realized they could not work out those ideas in a conventional band, so they decided to create the sound with just the two of them.

The first thing that struck me is the vocals. They fit together so good and it gives the songs an extra dimension. Especially the first two songs on the album, "Going Home" and "New Horizon" show this vocal magic and these are truly dynamic songs, with excellent guitar parts and a haunting chorus. There are a lot of familiar sounding influences in their music, many of whom I have the feeling I heard them before, but can't name them; nevertheless this album has a tangible chemistry and a very accessible sound, sometimes close to pop music, sometimes close to metal, but always balanced. "Blood In The Ocean" is such a song, close to pop music, but it is just a beautiful song. "Cold" has the metal edges on the guitar riffs, but also some spacey keyboards. The song closest to pop is "Meant To Be," sounding a bit like Chicago, but somehow it just sounds nice and fits the album. "Waterfront," the last and longest track on the album, has again this Chicago touch, but has lot's of room to explore the talents of Garcia and Gilmartin. Especially vocally this song stands out.

New Machine is a feel good album, which touches both pop and prog, but is definitely above average. I have enjoyed listening to the album and I will keep enjoying it, as it is an album that is easy to listen to, with great vocals and excellent musicianship. So before listening to all the less positive reviews, give this album a try first, you won't be disappointed.

Similar Bands: Rush

Also released by Song Haus Music

[This review originally appeared November 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Going Home / New Horizon / Falling / Blood In The Ocean / In The Wake / Cold / Forgotten Man / Meant To Be / A Thousand Lies / Waterfront

Musicians:
David Garcia - drums, keyboards, lead & backing vocals
Bob Gilmartin-guitars, bass, lead & backing vocals

Discography:
New Machine (2003)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: March 24th 2003
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.newmachine.net/
Hits: 2421
Language: english