The Mechanical Forces of Love is the fourth album by American rock band Medicine, released on July 15, 2003 by Wall of Sound.[3]

This album marked the band's return, after eight years of hiatus, in the form of a duo of Brad Laner and Shannon Lee.

Background

The album was Medicine's first record in eight years, and their first album since the group's split.[4][2] The album also marks the group's re-introduction of a female vocalist: singer and actress Shannon Lee, daughter of karate actor Bruce Lee.[2] The Mechanical Forces of Love is Lee's first appearance with the group; previously, vocals were provided by Beth Thompson.[1]

Style

The album's genre has been classified as dream pop, indie electronic, and shoegaze.[1][4] Laner described the album's style as "Glitchy Beach Boys harmonies."[5] The album was perceived by some as a departure from the group's previous shoegazing sound, but others felt that the album was a "synergy" of Medicine's earlier style with that of Laner's side-project, Electric Company.[2] An album review by Uncut described the album's style as a "collision of Beach Boys/West Coast harmonies with beats’n’glitches electronica and mangled sci-fi noise."[6] The album's themes are love and sex.[6]

Opening track "As You Do" was described as "shambolic electro-funk" by Maya Singer (writing for CMJ New Music Monthly), while Pitchfork deemed the song "psychedelic short-circuit funk" and likened its style to Sly Stone.[4][2] Tim Sendra, writing for AllMusic, described Lee's vocals on the song as "almost funky."[1] Many of the album's songs were (uncharacteristically for the band) guitar-less, with "Good for Me" and "Whiz" being singled out as two of the only songs to feature the instrument prominently.[1] Pitchfork posited that the album, despite its techno influence, should be considered "a psychedelic record at heart."[2]

AllMusic compared the album's overall style to Garbage.[1] Both AllMusic and Uncut likened the vocal harmonies to those of the Beach Boys.[1][6]

Release

The album was released on July 15, 2003.[1][7] Some editions were released on the record label Wall of Sound, while others were released by Astralwerks.[8][9]

The single "I Smile to My Eyes" was included on the compilation accompanying the August 2003 issue of CMJ New Music Monthly.[10] To promote the album, it was given to non-commercial modern rock radio stations, with the focus tracks singled out as "I Smile to My Eyes," "As You Do," "Astral Gravy," and "Wet on Wet."[11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Guardian[5]
Pitchfork(8.0/10)[2]
Uncut[6]

Upon its release, the album received positive reviews from critics, holding a score of 70/100 on review aggregate site Album of the Year.[12] In a review for Pitchfork, critic Nitsuh Abebe commended the album's "gorgeous movements," singling out "As You Do" as a "wow-inducing rush" and concluding that "For some it might burn off quickly, but for just as many it'll sit just fine."[2]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Brad Laner and Shannon Lee, except where noted. Adapted from album liner notes.[8]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."As You Do" 3:40
2."I Smile to My Eyes" 4:20
3."Wet on Wet" 3:50
4."Best Future"Brad Laner4:14
5."ioi" 4:35
6."I M Yrs" 4:35
7."Astral Gravy" 2:56
8."Good for Me" 3:56
9."Negative Capability"Brad Laner3:39
10."Whiz" 3:36
11."Sodden Rockets"Kid606, Brad Laner3:42
12."And Sometimes Y" 4:32

Personnel

Medicine
Production and additional personnel

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sendra, Tim. "The Mechanical Forces of Love". AllMusic. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Abebe, Nitsuh (July 15, 2003). "Medicine: The Mechanical Forces of Love". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  3. ^ Sprague, David (2007). "Medicine". Trouser Press. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  4. ^ a b c Singer, Maya (August 2003). "Reviews: Medicine". CMJ New Music Monthly (115): 55. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Sweeting, Adam (27 June 2003). "Review: CD: Medicine: The Mechanical Forces of Love". Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d "Review: Medicine – The Mechanical Forces Of Love". Uncut. TI Media. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  7. ^ "Upcoming at Retail". CMJ New Music Report. 76 (6): 42. July 7, 2003. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Laner, Brad (2003). The Mechanical Forces of Love (Album booklet). Medicine. Astralwerks. p. 1.
  9. ^ "Releases: The Mechanical Forces of Love". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  10. ^ "Compilation Liner Notes". CMJ New Music Monthly (115). August 2003. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  11. ^ Team Retail (August 4, 2003). "Retail: Points of Impact". CMJ New Music Report. 76 (10): 37. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  12. ^ "Overview: Medicine – The Mechanical Forces of Love". Album of the Year. Retrieved January 27, 2019.


Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mechanical_Forces_of_Love
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