CD-Maximum
2007
1. Welcome To Creepy Tales
2. Urban Dreams
3. Bubble Bath
4. Spikyhead + Miremaid
5. Vesperghosts Of Milford Playhouse
6. A Rose For Michelle
7. Dolly
8. Lamplighter
9. The Afterguide
10. Aztec Zombies
11. The Dead, The Living And The City
12. Hide And Seek With Cary Nage
13. Once Upon A Day
14. Zhizn', Smert' I Vechnyj Gorod
15. Poslednij Fregat
16. Prizraki Starogo Teatra
Mechanical Poet are an entirely new band to me, but their stock seems to be climbing. Russian acts seem to have some trouble breaking out beyond their home country, but this one might just do it. They have already managed to secure themselves a slot on ProgPower Europe. Still a long way to go from their small label, but it's a start.
Upon listening to Mechanical Poet I had an exceedingly rare thought... "Well... I've never heard anything like this before". I can't even come up with any comparisons that seem adequate and in a scene as full of bands as metal, that is quite a feat. In the genre of progressive metal in particular I often see very little I'd actually consider progressive and different from what other bands have done. Well this is definitely progressive and unique in the songwriting. If nothing else I think anyone reading this would have to agree with that.
With that being said, it took me a little bit to actually wrap my mind around this release. It's not a typical guitar/technicality wankfest it's the Songwriting which is so incredibly out there. Stylistically I hear flavors of metal, symphonic rock, pop-punk, and alternative rock to name a few. Stunningly atypical but strangely involving and catchy this release manages to craft a sound totally it's own. One drawback of this album could be that some people won't know what to make of it and others who like strictly metal could find the album incorporates styles they don't particularly care for. Personally, I find their tendency to kick down genre barriers to be very refreshing and what is needed to make a truly original release.
Soundwise the band is all over the map, but I'll do my best to try to nail down some idea of their sound here. Vocally the band does not have what I'd call a 'gifted' singer, but it's just one of many elements of the band that strangely works. His sort of whiny and unique sounding voice adds a lot of personality to this band. Musically the guitar is used well and has a pretty metal sound to it. Not extremely showy but it's definitely never stagnant and the songs have plenty of changes to keep one interested. At times the music does stray a bit out of the metal realm into something softer and slicker, but the guitar always comes back in with a solid metal sound. Keyboards and orchestration are both used fairly extensively and add to the songs without taking them over. Both elements tend to work themselves into the backround and give the songs the extra punch they require. Lyrically the band is beyond strange and the song Dolly is a mid-album freaked out track that sounds like it should be part of the soundtrack to something like Nightmare Before Christmas. Actually, the cover art kinda reminds me of something along those lines too. All in all, the title of the album Creepy Tales For Freaky Children ends up seeming really appropriate.
In conclusion, if you want to hear something really new... this is it. I can see the potential for this to be a love or hate album, but personally I give it the thumbs up. If you're into genre fusion music and progressive rock and metal than this might be for you.
Highlights: Urban Dreams, Bubble Bath, A Rose For Michelle, Lamplighter
Rating - 4.0/5
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