Ape Machine is a four piece stoner-rock / heavy-psych band that recently released their new album Mangled By The Machine on May 14th. The band, if you are unfamiliar, is named after the nickname of the old-school magnetic reel to reel recorders of music’s past and the band has firmly planted themselves in that same past. This is a band that has all of the sound and symmetry of the 70’s; the fuzzy, old-school tube amplification of bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath as well as a familiarity of the newer generation of “retro” rockers in the likes of The Sword and Gypsyhawk. Ape Machine brings an “antique” sound to a solid concept and creates an album that is sprawling as much as it is current.
Ape Machine has created a concept album that is billed as one constant song with 10 separate parts. A unique and challenging venture? You bet! Did they pull it off? Without a doubt! Mangled By The Machine is a fantastic high speed adventure through a concept of protest and revelation and it keeps the listener gripped at all times. The music is never so self-indulgent that it takes away from the flow of the story. On the contrary, Ape Machine had the opportunity to go into full jam band mode and take the songs and story on a long break that would have derailed the story telling but instead through restraint and excellent forethought kept the music in step with the story from start to finish. I would like to give you my favorite song on the album but they did such a fine job at keeping the cohesiveness of the story that there isn't one in particular that stands out over another. The album has to be listened to from start to finish which can be a problem for short attention span listeners looking for that “one” single.
In the running time of about 40 minutes Ape Machine takes you on a journey with well thought out songs and a concept that is relatable. With the proper use of the Hammond Organ and the fantastic musicianship this album is perfect for those of us who really miss the brilliance that once was the heavy music of the late 60’s early 70’s. As I was listening to this album all I could think about was playing this album while watching the movie Escape From New York on mute, using Mangled By The Machine as the dialogue and soundtrack of the movie, it just seems to fit in a bizarre way. You could also use Blade Runner or Logan’s Run in my opinion, as the concept that Ape Machine crafted is solid and the music is engaging and memorable.
When I saw this album and promo information on the list of albums to review I had to claim it as I am a sucker for the concept album and the thought that this album is one continuous song in ten parts intrigued me. I wonder if a band could pull this off and make a listenable album I would want to hear again and again. It is an interesting choice by a band but in the case of Ape Machine and Mangled By The Machine they have achieved a solid concept album that probably deserves more attention than it will actually get and that’s too bad. For me however it will absolutely be a part of my Album of the Year List and you all need to give it a shot as I think you will love it like I do!
Until Later, Peace!
