Search - Monster in the Machine :: Butterfly Pinned

Brilliant

--b | LV | 10/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In an earlier incarnation, Shannon Crawford was the singer for Cellophane, a rather killer band lost in the shuffle of the late 90s. Monster in the Machine is just as good: less guitar, more synth pop. How this hasn't received more attention, i don't even know. For $.01, buy twenty of them and give them to your friends. For fans of The Cure, The Killers, Keane, etc."

A Monster that needs to be let out of the closet.

Andrew Estes | Maine | 03/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're looking for a great, yet under-rated new rock album that re-invents while simultaneously paying tribute to the past, then look no further than to Monster In The Machine's debut, "Butterfly Pinned." Released in 2007 to zero-to-no fanfare, it's one of those criminally overlooked little gems that slipped past the radar but which carries massive appeal, both for rock fans and music lovers in general.



The sound of "Butterfly Pinned" jumps from one genre to another, spanning a multitude of influences. The opening number, "Fear of the Mind," is a perfect marriage between psychedelic Beatles and guitar heavy Depeche Mode. "Helicopter" sounds like it could have been written by The Killers, up until it descends into its drugged-out chorus. Shannon Crawford (ex-Cellophane) shows off a very flamboyant and diverse style in his vocal delivery, which only helps to serve the various genres Monster In The Machine attempt to nail down. "Savior" and "Don't" are perhaps the most straight-forward rock fare, with Crawford baring his seemingly tortured soul behind squealing guitars, deep grooves (courtesy of Puddle Of Mudd (?!) bassist Doug Ardito) and catchy Josh Freese drum-beats. "One Way Trip" and "Under Your Shadow" are where the group truly finds its groove, blending the best of the 80's, 90's and now into its sound. "Burns Inside Me" is insanely addictive, a throwback to disco that is actually quite fun. On the other side of the coin, "Don't" lays down some old-school grunge, is drenched in emotion and closes the album out with what is easily the finest track, with Korn guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer on deck.



Speaking of James Shaffer, it's worth noting that Monster In The Machine is the second signing to his Emotional Syphon label. That fact is mostly irrelevant, though, as their sound breaks away successfully from the typical alternative-metal sound often associated with the boys from Bakersfield. It's a shame, in fact, that Munky spent most of his time and effort on promoting Droid -- the first signing -- instead. With the right push, "Butterfly Pinned" could have blown up big. It's a shame that here I am, a year and a half after its release, writing only the third review, and you can buy used copies of it for a single penny. It's certainly worth snatching up. With the rock scene being as stale as it has been for the past decade, an album like this that truly defies the genre and delivers something with boldness and heaps of talent is tough to come by. Help support greatness and give Monster In The Machine a fair shake.

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