Our Lady Peace's Spiritual Machines is very much different from their other albums. It's more focused than Happiness..., more catchy than Naveed and more unique than Gravity.
In fact, it's somewhat of a concept album, with Isakov style thoughts spread throughout. This is Our Lady Peace at their tightest.
Right Behind You (Mafia) is a somewhat bouncy track with a very catchy chorus that echoes the best of Clumsy. But the strongest track of the album is the next song, In Repair, with an an epic sounding chorus, mellow lyrics and a Jeremy Taggert pattented groove. It's a timeless track that grows better with each listen.
Surprisingly, Life was the first single. It's another bouncy song with Raine Maida seemingly channeling Tony Robbins. Like all other strong OLP tracks, it's really led by Taggert's drumming.
Middle of Yesterday is perhaps the hardest track on the album, like a thicker track from Naveed. It's moody, atmospheric and very catchy.
Are You Sad shifts gears to a slow acoustic ballad. Next to In Repair, it's the strongest album of the album. If Billy Corgan took mood relaxing sedatives, this is probably what he would have made.
Made to Heal has a harder chorus to complement a somewhat lighter, more bouncy verse section. Somewhat like Mafia, it's another very strong track.
Everyone's a Junkie is the most progressive track on the album and features Taggert's most explosive drumming. He has a tremendous gift for precisely following Maida's vocal melodies. This is also probably the most harmoneous track on the album.
All My Friends is another moodier track, with a two somber verses and a chorus that is first soft and then full blast. It's another Naveed'ish track but far more epic and melodic.
If You Believe perfectly frames the whole message of the album and indeed most all of OLP's music. It also has a nice little, Pink Floyd'ish solo to it.
The Wonderful Future has Clumsy style verses with chorus' that are unique to Spiritual Machines. It's a terrific way to end the album.
All in all, this is one of the best albums of that year, and by far OLP's best album. It's moody, armospheric and in many parts epic. Don't miss a chance to get it.
out of 4 stars:
1 R.K. Intro na
2 Right Behind You *** 1/2
3 R.K. 2029
4 In Repair ****
5 Life ***
6 Middle of Yesterday ****
7 Are You Sad? ****
8 R.K. 2029 (Pt. 2) na
9 Made to Heal *** 1/2
10 R.K. 1949-97
11 Everyone's a Junkie *** 1/2
12 R.K. On Death na
13 Listen All My Friends *** 1/2
14 If You Believe ****
15 The Wonderful Future *** 1/2
