Rodellos Machine Album Review by Dan MacIntosh

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  • 8/3/2019 Rodellos Machine Album Review by Dan MacIntosh

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    Artist: Rodellos Machine

    Album:Rodellos Machine

    Review By: Dan MacIntosh

    San Diegos Rodellos Machine is a breath of fresh air. The opening moments of Rockunder My Feet, suggest an acoustic Pearl Jam, as singer Nate Donnis is dead ringer for

    Eddie Vedder. However, you wont hear any of the harder rock grunge-ish sounds

    normally associated with Pearl Jam.

    Rodellos Machine is a duo that also features Kolby Knickerbocker. Both Knickerbocker

    and Donnis sing on the acts self-titled EP. Furthermore, they each collaborate on the

    lyrics for these six songs. Knickerbocker produced and mixed the work with BrianKarscig. While each man plays guitar, Knickerbocker also chips in bass, percussion,

    keyboard and piano.

    Although not explicitly religious, there are nevertheless spiritual elements sprinkledthroughout these lyrics. Rock under My Feet may well allude to the New Testament

    description of Jesus as a rock. Lila is a sweet love song to a girl perhaps a young girl.It includes the admonition, Let your light shine, though. However, the one song that is

    most spiritual of all is Beauty of Your Life. The track rolls to a gentle, finger-picked

    guitar part. I have seen a miracle, Donnis announces. He goes on to note the many

    blessings in his life. He even quotes from the famous hymn Amazing Grace. He singsthese words, yet to an entirely different melody.

    Three Weeks to go is the most sonically appealing song on this recording. It beginswith a layered, wordless vocal intro, before going into an acoustic reggae song. The

    songs lyric speaks to the anticipation of a beloved girls arrival. Images of weather areused to express the difference between a girls absence and presence. The weather justgets better when were with the ones we love.

    The majority of these songs are about girls. In fact, Lila is even named after one. Itslyric is filled with encouragement, and even references Eleanor Roosevelt. This is a girl

    thats always beautiful, even when shes sad, the words tell us. Shes encouraged to love

    herself and not give in, as its sung over a finger-snapping acoustic groove.

    While acoustic guitar work looms large during this recording, you shouldnt get the

    impression that it is by any means sparse and under produced. Rock under My Feet

    may be a relatively acoustic track, but it also features wonderful strings from MartaZulodova and Melissa Barrison, who bow sweetly one moment, then pluck percussively

    the next. Its a song that builds momentum as it goes. Its also a song saturated in joy that

    just makes you feel good. It ends with a winning vocal/string interplay section, whichsounds a little bit like the Beach Boys meet Roy Orbison, which is a fantastic

    combination.

    While Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam is the first comparison to come to mind, the relaxed

  • 8/3/2019 Rodellos Machine Album Review by Dan MacIntosh

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    vocal that drives Pause is a lot like Dave Matthews more subdued, thoughtful

    moments. The track features some nice acoustic guitar strumming and harmony vocals.

    Sails, the song that closes this work sounds like its sung by Knickerbocker, as it is

    sung in a higher register. Once again, this track ends with quite the musical build. While

    this duo may be a relatively stripped down unit, that doesnt mean the act isnt musicallyambitious. There is a touch of Fleet Foxes orchestral vibe running through this final

    track, as well as others on the disc.

    These six songs are all excellent, and hold up well, even after repeated listening. Rodellos

    Machine is a name that might suggest something precise and mechanical upon first

    glance. If thats the case, the music created is like the ghost in the machine as this is very

    much a living, animated vehicle. There is just so much to like about these two talentedmusicians. Perhaps indie greatness is calling.

    Review By: Dan MacIntosh

    Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)