Is it a nightmare or a wet dream?
Such a fascinating question that many throughout the history of man have pondered. It is that lyrical gem that appears early on Spy Machine 16’s How Things Come Apart and speaks to the tightrope the band walks throughout their debut effort. On paper, Spy Machine 16 probably should not work much less be attempted. Eight members in a power pop/punk band with keyboards and politically potent lyrics? I mean, c’mon! Oh, and it is really only six musicians; there is also a 2 person dance crew which I can not even begin to imagine at the moment. The band’s lineup is said to include “a librarian, a pro photographer, an industrial parts specialist, and an installation artist.” Well, at least it is an eclectic clusterfuck, right?
Somehow, Guelph, Ontario’s Spy Machine 16 make it all work on How Things Come Apart. Granted it may not always sound seamless. At times, there is just too much to take in. But, you simply can not deny the infectious nature of the band. The energy that emanates from Spy Machine 16’s songs is downright palpable. “For The Jocks Who Scream From Cars” and “I Lost My Edge Last Night” show off that youthful exuberance and humor at its best. “Paperwork” reveals just what the band can do when they slow things down and feel out their surroundings a little more. Olivia Brown’s vocals magnificently recall Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney. The song is the album’s shining star and highlights a direction the band hopefully delves more into in the future.
The lyric of We’re making harmonies out of truancy from “Love Theme To The One Six” clearly models Spy Machine 16’s melodic, yet political nuances. There is a definite sincerity and a punk rock spirit emblazoned in the band’s lyrical tirades. “Traveller Journeying Home, Exhausted But Conscious” is an appropriate title for the album closer. Though How Things Come Apart may try your patience at times, it is virtually impossible not to fall head over heels for Spy Machine 16. Nightmare or wet dream be damned, if the revolution is this catchy, I’m all in!
Genre: Power Pop/Punk
RIYL: The Anniversary, Sleater-Kinney, The Rentals
Label: Self-Released
Paperwork
Annabel
