Sprawling yet simultaneously dense and compact, September 000 (2002) debuted the Secret Machines in such a way that their namesake essentially flushed from the listeners mind and kind of preconceived notion. But by the same token, their clandestinely-mechanical moniker tells us all we need to know; their minimal, quiet, yet expertly crafted Krautrock-inspired mysticism couples itself with a distinct sense of purpose and drive, making an ultimately pristine unveiling for a group that has since evolved in a massive way. As a debut, it is charming and mild, but when thought of as part of a greater liner progression, the conceptual trimmings of the music begin to step forward and author a much larger scope for the group. Opening with “Marconi’s Radio”, referencing the creator and his work that got the Secret Machines as well as the listener to this point, and closing with “Marconi’s Radio (Reprise)” pulses a motif throughout the entire EP, giving cause for the listener to scan closely between each note, watching the electricity pulse and crack with tension and release. Infinitesimal yet galactic in it’s reach, September 000 is a study in expansive and flexible dynamic tech-rock hybrids and future-sound explorations.
Listen to “Breathe” and “It’s a Bad Wind that Don’t Blow Somebody Some Good”
Download “September 000”
