RUBIDIUM

This is one of those complete albums that characterise progressive music, nevertheless, this sense of unity is not given by being a conceptual album but rather by the quality and feeling of the music. Rubidium consists of nine songs, the shortest being close to six minutes, thought don't get me wrong, they don't feel forcibly long.

Rubidium starts of with 'The Fallen', it seems the band decided to put this song as the beginning of the album as a sample of what they can do. It includes different paces and styles. It's worth noting the superb atmosphere in its last two minutes.

'Cubixstro' is the first highlight of the album, a classic progressive song, this could be a good song to get to know the band. It includes the best bass composition of the album, usually this is a 'guitar driven' album, thanks to Luke Machin, but this song feels more like a 'bass driven' one, great job of Daniel Mash. It also features some female voice parts by keyboardist Georgia Lewis, it finishes with a superb game of voices between Luke and Georgia.

'Invincible' starts with acoustic guitar part which shows a musical maturity that initially made me think this was a veteran band. By the way, it includes some flute parts that add to the progressive feeling of the album.

'Eyes' is my personal favourite. The band decided to divided into two parts but it really is one 14 minutes song, perhaps related with the fact that the first single is an edited version of the first part (it's worth checking out the home made video). Best vocal work of Luke and Georgia and great guitar solos, one with acoustic guitar at the end of the first part and one electric guitar at the beginning of the second one.

'Chains' starts strikingly similar to Porcupine Tree's 'Time Flies'. A good, powerful and clean work of drums here by'James Stewart.

It was hard to decide between four and five starts (a 4.5 compromise?). A great debut album for these UK guys, and definitely one of my personal favourite albums of 2013, but I still see room for improvement for them, specially Luke's vocal parts. The band grows stronger in an interplay of voices between Luke and Georgia, and I would like to see Georgia singing more, for example a song with her in the main vocals. Maschine is a band which we should definitely pay attention in the future.