Macobb garage punk.
William Purcell | wilmington nc. | 10/05/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Music Machine is one of rocks best kept secrets. The Ramones borrowed their look, Michael Jackson and OJ stole the one glove idea and no one sounds like them. A must for garage punk collectors. Check it out."
The Utimate Music Machine
Kevin D. Rathert | Carbondale, IL | 08/27/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Forty years after Sean Bonniewell and his band the Music Machine hit the AM radio airwaves with their smash hit, the two minute blast of roaring guitar and organ rage known simply as "Talk Talk" UK reissue specialty label, Big Beat, under the divine guidance of psychedelic rock guru Alec Palo, present Bonniwell and company in ultimate fashion. The original lp is lovingly stretched to a two disc collection. Disc one contains the original album in both mono and stereo versions, as well as non-lp singles. The second disc is filled with previously unissued tracks, a total of 22, ranging from rehearsal and demo recordings, as well as alternate versions, original mixes, and to top the package off two video clips. The highlights are far too numerous to mention, but along with the hit single, killer album tracks such as "Masculine Intuition" and "The People In Me" show the band at its punk rock best. The band also shines on covers such as the Beatles "Taxman" and ? and the Mysterions "96 Tears." The 48 audio and 2 video tracks add up to a real "ultimate" presentation of a band that was years ahead of its time. The hefty booklet, with liner notes by Palao and full of previously unreleased photos also paints an accurate portrait of the band's instant rise to fame equally rapid fall from grace. Unable to follow up their smash single the band imploded with Sean Bonniwell carrying on as Bonniwell's Music Machine, but never again approaching the fame and fortune of their signature song. Listening to "The Ultimte Turn On" it is apparent that the band's unique sound was worthy of a much better fate. However, in the heady days of the mid 1960s bands were only as popular as their latest hit, and the Music Machine all too quickly became just another "one hit wonder" band. This despite killer tracks such as a rocking cover of "Hey Joe." Such was the fickle music industry of the mid to late 1960s. Filled with fuzz guitars, swirling organs, and full of punk attitude, the Music Machine deserved a much better fate. But it was not to be. However, treat yourself to this wonderful collection and travel back into time via Sean Bonniewell and the magical Music Machine."