Immaculate Machine - Transporter LP

Immaculate Machine have released a new CD, and I can’t think of any reason why anyone who enjoyed their debut EP The View would be disappointed. If anything – This album has a number of improvements and refinements that will surely be recognized this time around. The tracks run from fast tempo, rhythmically pounding, emotionally drenched songs to slow heartbroken and heat-stroked numbers that perhaps may test some listener’s patience – but reward those who sit back and absorb the atmospheric dreamscape that they serve up.

The first track ‘Skyscrapers’, perhaps the most upbeat in tempo, gives way to an unmistakable new wave influence, and though I’d be the first deny the merits of any New Wave gravediggers that seem to pollute the airwaves nowadays – Immaculate machine have a knack for keeping the elements in check, and leaving the pretentiousness at the door, a feat in itself for any band that delves into the genre.

The most notable changes to this CD in contrast to their last EP rely on a two major factors – one being that the emotional element is much more apparent, and second and most importantly is the more active roll Kathryn Calder has taken as a singer. Although she had some jabs at the mike in the past, this CD’s vocal responsibilities are split evenly between her and male counterpart Brooke Gallupe, along with the occasional bursts from drummer Luke Kozlowski. The duets between Calder and Gallupe mix nicely, and refrain from sounding forced, or worse - cheesy, as many duets tend to do, but these two pull it off – creating a mix that sounds more Black Francis/Kim Deal than Sonny/Cher.

The harmonies between the two have become the most recognizable signature for the band, more so than the lo-fi keyboards, militantly paced drums, or their fuzzy 60’s garage sounding guitar. This album is sure to get more than its’ fair share of air-time on collage radio station playlists as well as my own Discman.

- Jesse Ladret