Song of the Day: Secret Machines “Nowhere Again”

Secret Machines

Song of the Day: Secret Machines “Nowhere Again”

Finally the indie rockers are listening to krautrock

Finally the indie rockers are listening to krautrock! “Nowhere Again” is the centerpiece of Secret Machines 2004 debut LP, Now Here Is Nowhere. With it, the band launched an all-out neo-Krautrock attack. The song is built around a muscular guitar figure that is mirrored on a keyboard. These both lock perfectly with a motorik, giving the whole thing a very Neu!/ Can vibe. Despite their obvious indebtedness to German prog of the ’70s, Secret Machines also know how to hit hard, with the song almost taking on a Led Zeppelin vibe during the bridge. Singer/ bassist/ keyboardist Brandon Curtis does a fine job of alternating his vocals between a certain ironic detachment and out-and-out emotive outpouring. While the album was largely ignored upon its release (despite warm reviews and an eye-catching cover), it has subsequently been acknowledged as a bit of an underground classic.

Secret Machines were founded in Dallas, Texas in 2000, but shortly thereafter relocated to NYC. The group was a trio composed of brothers Brandon Curtis (vocals/ bass/ keyboards), Benjamin Curtis (guitars) and Josh Garza (drums). The band picked-up a cult following through their German prog meets power trio format, but never really broke into the popular consciousness of the period. In 2007, Brandon Curtis departed the band to focus on another group, School of Seven Bells. The band soldiered on for a few years with a replacement before breaking up for good in 2010. They left behind a total of three studio albums and a handful of singles/ EPs.

 
Secret Machines