Search - Our Lady Peace :: Spiritual Machines

Amazing album

Edward Nigma | Gotham | 04/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Quite possibly the most well-balanced album ever made.



OLP started out as a grungy, heavy-rock band with very deep and thought-provoking lyrics. OLP, more or less, remained true to their "classic" style for their first three albums. While OLP's older style remains deeply loved by many fans to this day, it is evident that many "mainstream" listeners tend to not be attracted to this style of music.



It is obvious that the band realized their lack of recognition in the mainstream community and it appears as if, during the Spiritual Machines era, the band started experimenting with a more mainstream sound. This of course would eventually lead to "Gravity" (an album that is, in my opinion, over-produced and lacking in many areas).



I consider Spiritual Machines to be an album that has both elements of OLP in it (their newer mainstream sound, mixed with the cryptic lyrics and deep song meanings of their former selves). Because of this, I feel that Spiritual Machines has a quality that I have very rarely heard in a rock album: a mainstream sound without making the sacrifice of having boring, shallow lyrics. In fact, I would go as far to say that I never heard this quality in a rock album before; the vast majority of today's radio friendly bands fuel their "catchy tunes" with pointless garble that is considered to be lyrics.



It is truly a rarity to hear an album of this calliber. I would strongly suggest picking up this album regardless of whether or not you're an OLP fan."

Fresh And Energetic Modern Rock

Wade Tomlin | Toronto, Ontario | 01/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Our Lady Peace (OLP) seems to be a band that does its best when no one is looking. Their debut album Naveed came out of nowhere to become a Canadian classic in my mind and OLP's second best record came out relatively quickly after the mess that was Happiness ... (the band's third record).



I personally feel Happiness ... was a huge disappointment. But Spiritual Machines more than made up for the band's previous shortfall.



Why? Because Spiritual Machines manages the rare feet of sounding like an artistic achievement while still rocking loud and proud. The band is clearly trying to write some form of concept record with the tidbits of spoken words from the Age of Spiritual Machines, but songs such as Middle of Yesterday and Everyone's A Junkie still carry the attitude of a down and dirty hard rock band. The single Life meanwhile is the band's boldest pop feet, disguising an empathetic plea for patience in a catchy radio friendly form.



The end result is a record that I still come back to whenever I feel like some OLP. It carries the urgency of the band's first record, with the wisdom of a band well into their recording career. I will always say Naveed is my favourite OLP record, but hey you never forget your first love either in relationships or as a music fan. Spiritual Machines however, stands out purely because of its quality. When no one is looking this band is dangerous.

"

One of my favorite travel albums - Wow, this is awesome!

James P. Finger Jr. | Houston, TX | 06/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I was poor, I won this album from a radio station promotion. I played it, and just couldn't get it at first.



Then, my brother died, and I really got into Clumsy, and then realised that this was them.



I would drive with this in, not really aware that I was being taken over by these robots and automatons that they sing about.



Yeah, Everyone's a Junkie has contrived lyrics, at times, but you'll find yourself looking forward to this track and humming it during the day.



Life is just what everyone else likes, but I really liked how the rest of the album felt so different from everything else out there. I really like the weird Radiohead stuff that everyone else doesn't get, but I don't think that I would have ever been able to get it without hearing and loving this album first.



This album was more than worth the time put into it. Your friends won't get it, but that's okay. Just enjoy it alone, and you will be well rewarded by how you feel when you're driving around and listening to the positive messages and catchy tunes of Spiritual Machines."