Equal parts hard funk and electro-rock, 6.0 is a benchmark for the Chicago sound of the new century. Between Chris Randall's sultry vocal stylings and the fiery Hendrix-meets-Helmet guitar work of Miguel Turanzas (formerly... more » of indie-rock mainstays Catherine), 6.0 pushes the envelope, setting new standards for modern music.« less
Equal parts hard funk and electro-rock, 6.0 is a benchmark for the Chicago sound of the new century. Between Chris Randall's sultry vocal stylings and the fiery Hendrix-meets-Helmet guitar work of Miguel Turanzas (formerly of indie-rock mainstays Catherine), 6.0 pushes the envelope, setting new standards for modern music.
CD Reviews
I'm not a machine
Anthony Vasquez | university of illinois - urbana/champaign | 06/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"sister machine gun is the quintessential band. sister machine gun is not the quintessential electronic outfit, the quintessential rock outfit, the quintessential jazz/funk combo, or the quintessential industrial band. sister machine gun, in plain and simple english, is the quintessential band. how multiplatinum status, arena tours, and huge massive obsessive global popularity have eluded chris randall is beyond me. because this band's music is for everyone. chris randall is the musical equivalent of a woody allen (hang in with me). he delivers quality product like clockwork every year. whether it's an ep or a side project, you know you're getting your fix. and it's not thrown together slop. it's quality, plain and simple. not one to make anyone wait and thirst 2-3 years or longer for an album (are you reading this mr. reznor?) you know if his name's on it, it's going to be good. and of course, good is an understatement. each one of his albums strays into electronic dance, jazz, funk, industrial, and all out balls-to-the-wall rock. 6.0 delivers, but in which categories? it's mainly an electronic work, but straying off into acoustic blues-folk (ten minute god) and catchy down temp rock hooks (gonna be right). it delivers on balls-out-fed-up rock on "loser", goes into electronic depeche mode-ish dance on "the best that you can do" and the album strays into around a doezen or more areas. versatility is randall's strength, and always has been. a man who's musical influences (otis redding, john lennon, and einsturzende neubauten) are as varied as his music. smg is the great wind of change in stagnant radio and mtv banter."
Another amazing turn in the evolution of Sister Machine Gun
D. MacKinnon | Denver, CO USA | 06/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Never stale or repetitive, Sister Machine Gun breaks the creative mold again with 6.0. Chris Randall and Co. further explore their electro-rock meets jazz sound and the results are nothing short of brilliant. The first single off of the album, "Loser", is a defiant rebuttal to the corporate spawned Top 40 pop. The album shifts back and forth between catchy songs and straight up groovey audio soundscapes. In case you missed SMG's previous album, [R]evolution, I recommend picking that up as well."
READ THIS !!!
fraudulent | Podunk, Illinois USA | 06/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"IMHO this is the finest work to ever leave the grubby little hands of the Positron! crew. 6.0 is a funkified electro jazz trip through Miguel & Mr. Randall's imagination. I find it very hard to describe or compare SMG's music, so I will redirect you to MP3.com under Positron! Records for downloads to ease your curiousity. The Automaton & Loser tracks will give you a pretty good sense of the over-all feel of this record.It has the difinitive SMG sound while at the same time enough musical evolution to be very different from all the other albums. DEFINITLY A MUST BUY!"
Sister Machine Gun 6.0: Still breaking arbitrary genre label
Jeff A. Campbell | Kennewick, WA United States | 06/27/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I know that I've heard something good when I have trouble categorizing it. "6.0" by Sister Machine Gun is another standout performance by the band - and like its previous release "[R]evolution", it's impossible to pin down what it is or exactly _why_ it rocks so much.
SMG's roots are in the industrial genre, as typified by acts such as Nine Inch Nails or KMFDM. But where many other artists are brooding and dead serious, SMG frontman Chris Randall is quite different - 6.0 is jazzy, light, entertaining, and hard edged all at the same time. Instrumentation can be found in anything from accordians to guitars to synthesizers. Harsh beats often break into melodious rhythms at the drop of the hat, while Randall alternates between scathing social commentary and innocent (albeit somewhat obsessive sounding) themes of love, lust, and companionship. Like all SMG releases to date, 6.0 isn't afraid to turn convention on its ear.
6.0 represents the second major SMG release since the band's departure from Wax Trax - and bears evidence to that fact. Where the previous album was definitely a breakout of sorts, and a repositioning of what the band had decided to become, 6.0 is a bit more comfortable with itself. It doesn't have quite the same diversity as its predecessor, and suffers from that. Basically, where there was a [R]evolution, 6.0 would best be chalked up to [E]volution.
This doesn't hurt the quality of the material, though - far from it. Pretty much everything is rock solid, and there are some standout tracks you should be aware of:
Track two, "Loser", has a similar quality to the hit "Smash Your Radio" from the previous album (although they sound nothing alike). Randall essentially bashes everything in sight that makes him ill, from the corporate politics of the record industry to busty teenage pop singers with no talent. He even takes a moment to lambast white guys who rap - humorously appropriate, given that he is white and the track is sung in much the same style as the Beastie Boys (others like me who typically don't like rap, don't worry - this is the only one on the album, but I bet you'll still like it).
The fourth track, "Never", strikes me as somewhat indecisive. It's a clever track, vocally, but you'll have to take my word on it until you buy the CD.
Track six, "Ten Minute God", set at a leisurely pace, explores feelings of hopelessness and nihilism. In defying the typical industrial mold, Randall croons each line with the same smoothness that typifies recent SMG releases - and his reaction appears to be more bemusement than self loathing.
"Gonna Be Right", the eighth track on the album, shows some of the band's old attitude. Chris asserts his non-culpability in a relationship gone bad - showing pride and self respect as being the last resort when it comes to pulling it all together. This song has a sort of epic quality to it I can't explain; when a break 2/3rds through the song hits, you can't wait for it to begin again.
The tenth track is "What I'm Waiting For" would have to be my personal favorite. Lyrically, Randall laments mistakes made and promises broken time and time again - and risks opening up in the process. In contrast the the almost bitter (yet satisfying) quality of "Gonna Be Right", this track portrays a vulnerability we don't see in the other tracks. And you can't really fault a song that begins with an accordian. Either way, it's all good.
Tracks thirteen and fourteen ("Machine III" and "Machine (no)", respectively) pretty much qualify as one track. The former is a lengthy lead up to the next track; And the latter is a sonic assault on the ears as Randall rails against complacency and reliance on the "stuff that gets you by". Play this one loud in traffic and you'll be screaming "I'm not a machine!" repeatedly, much to the amusement of fellow drivers.
So - How does 6.0 rank compared to previous SMG albums? I find it difficult to compare with pre-[R]evolution material (Burn, Sins Of The Flesh, Metropolis, The Torture Technique, etc) as it really is a different band. Let's just say that it's a lot more 'experimental' in nature, and zigs where most industrial zags. Randall is quite comfortable to mix synth and heavy guitar, and relies on his smooth vocals to keeps things going along. I'd have to say it's more 'mature' musically overall, but I'm a big fan of old SMG so it's hard to judge.
As for recent material: I have to say that it's not quite up to par with [R]evolution - there just isn't enough of the same variety that made that album such a hit. That said, it's quite possible that 6.0 actually _points in_ directions that will surpass [R]evolution in the long run - an experiment in aural manipulation and genre-bending that will ultimately lead to even more good stuff from the SMG camp. I, for one, can't wait to see what else they cook up.
The upshot: Get this CD, but not without getting [R]evolution as well. Then start filling up on each remaining SMG album in descending order by date."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1