The Moth, the Lizard, and the Secret Machines
The Secret Machines · 2023
49 min · 9 tracks · space rock
A cosmic exploration of sound where ethereal melodies intertwine with propulsive rhythms and expansive sonic landscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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There’s No Starting Over — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its haunting vocals and intricate instrumentation, encapsulating the band's characteristic blend of introspection and expansive soundscapes.
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Even Out the Overflow — This track stands out through its dynamic shifts and layered composition, illustrating the band's ability to balance complexity with emotional resonance.
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Crucifixion Time — Taking a bold approach with its extended runtime, this song explores themes of existential reflection through a mesmerizing build-up that challenges traditional song structures.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong composition and craft, with distinct soundscapes and effective pacing throughout.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a track that builds gradually, layering instruments to create a dense atmosphere before introducing vocals.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections where the rhythm section drives forward while guitars and synths explore melodic themes.
- The final track concludes with a slow fade-out, leaving an echoing sense of space that contrasts with the more energetic earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on March 24, 2023, this album marks The Secret Machines' return after a prolonged hiatus following their last album in 2014. Positioned as a significant moment in their career, it showcases the band's evolution while maintaining their signature space rock sound that first gained them attention in the early 2000s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Explosions in the Sky· M83· The Mars Volta
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 There’s No Starting Over 4:42
- 2 I Think It’s Light Outside 4:32
- 3 You Want It Worse 4:35
- 4 Even Out the Overflow 5:44
- 5 Last One Out 4:58
- 6 The Answer 4:31
- 7 Crucifixion Time 7:26
- 8 Run Out the Silver Light 6:53
- 9 The Finalizer 5:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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