The best aspect of music is progress. You can’t continue to move forward, if you don’t have something ground breaking to bring to the table: One hit wonders have a name for a reason. Hence, the beauty of the underground. There are no standards, no rules, no obligations. Merely yourself, your bandmates, a couple instruments, and some possibly incriminating substances with which to create the dream of music you’ve always conjured. An excellent example of a band taking advantage of the freedom of the underground is Intricate Machines, an experimental, indie-rock band with roots in San Francisco and Los Angeles. 
Their current self-titled EP was recorded in a cramped San Francisco apartment with all of the instruments the band could scrounge (sleigh bells, synths, keyboards, etc). They grasped the best of both San Francisco’s underground (psychedelic and experimental rock) and Los Angeles’ underground scene (electronica and indie-pop). Although their sound is not particularly my cup of tea, it is a direct reflection of the bands’ unadulterated love of music and interest in it’s progression into different and more varied approaches.
“Try Something Else” was by far the greatest song on the album. With somewhat of a HelloGoodbye feel due in part by the digital keyboard lilting throughout the song, accompanied by Kings of Leon-esque drumming, and some extremely interesting transitions. I also enjoyed “No Feet”, which distinguished itself from the rest of the album with its dominantly acoustic melody.
While this is Intricate Machines’ second effort to skyrocket into the limelight, the album can only be justified by personal perspective. You may like it, you may hate it. But regardless, they’re touring at the end of July, and their EP is out now. Go check ‘em out kids.
Intricate Machines – “Try Something Else”
Tracklisting:
01. Ocean Sky
02. City Hums
03. Try Something Else
04. Bad Sample Rate
05. Kill Them All
06. With You Within
07. No Feet
Intricate Machines: website | myspace
