I think that the album is pretty fucking good, but that it also has more than enough flaws to go around. I readily admit that I've put of lot of responsibility on the band's shoulders, being that this album shows SO much promise, that their live shows are pulverizing and spectacular, and that their visual aesthetic has suddenly become well-honed, visceral, and quite attention-grabbing.
When this album takes off ("First Wave Intact," "Sad and Lonely," "Nowhere Again," "The Road Leads Where It's Led," etc.), it is nearly untouchable. I still remember listening to this with the crew on the way to a U2 show in the Chi, last May, and being like, "God damn...I wish we were seeing the Secret Machines, tonight!" Whenever I listen to the album and come across these and other moments of such insane brilliance, I get all kinds of "this band will save the world, motherfuckers!" But that's probably not true.
The EP that came out this summer was pretty un-good, and showed the band in a pretty indulgent and plodding state. Their debut EP, September 000 had some, but not nearly as many, of the same problems.
I really can't wait for their new album (out in early 2006), because I want so desperately for them to live up to their otherworldly potential...but their seemingly intensifying penchant for sub-Pink Floyd, meaningless atmospherics in under-developed and under-written songs causes me no small bit of concern.
Still, there are few things as cool as stumbling across an album--warts and all--as promising as this one. I feel like this is what the people who got Boy must've felt like when that record came out--it's anyting but perfect, but damn can this bitch cook when it's on! I hope for great things--give the record a go!
I hope my rambling hasn't turned anybody off....