Scenes from the Second Storey - The God Machine

A band with a truly strange trajectory, the God Machine was founded in San Diego, paid their dues in New York, but only managed to kick-start their career after moving on to London, England. There, the trio signed with independent Fiction Records and released their critically acclaimed debut Scenes From the Second Storey in 1993. A sprawling, stylistically diverse effort, the album's alternative metal often drew comparisons to Jane's Addiction because of singer Robin Proper-Shepard's vocal resemblance to Perry Farrell. But the God Machine was even more experimental, using hypnotic riffs, trance-like drones, ethereal vocals, and a bevy of unconventional instruments to achieve a highly cinematic effect throughout their work. Opener "Dream Machine" (whose eerie intro dialog was coincidentally used on a Neurosis album that same year) and the mesmerizing "The Desert Song" are especially memorable, but the band stretches their wings even further on extended pieces like "Purity" and "Seven." Though quite impressive, these explorations cover so much terrain that the listener's attention can be severely tested -- especially by the bland songs contained in the album's Oreo-like creamy center, among which only the interestingly sparse "It's All Over" leaves a lasting impression. And, not surprisingly, the predictable single "She Said" -- the kind of throwaway funk metal radio fodder popular at the time -- is the album's weakest link. In the end, Scenes From the Second Storey probably could have done without all of its CD-busting 80 minutes, but all things considered, there's plenty of value for their money here. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide