SWITCHED
12/30/2005
Switched - Ghosts In The Machine Review
by Christopher Wood, Audio Abrasion
Switched ‘Ghosts in the Machine’
Release Date: 10 January 2006
Do yourself a favor and vault into the New Year with one of the best albums you’ll hear. Don’t give it a second thought. Just plug into Switched TV and hold on tight. Because, Switched is bringing it with their sophomore album, ‘Ghosts in the Machine’. No holds barred. It’s all out there, swinging in the breeze. This time around they’re free from instability and the results are what you’d expect, an album full of hard hitting, sometimes melodic, but always blowing-you-away rock.
‘Ghosts in the Machine’ starts out strong with torrentially driving songs, "Save Myself" and "Like Suicide". The first radio single, "Empty Promises" and the next track, "Shattered", bring a more melodious tone to the album. That’s not to say Switched is decelerating, however. "Who Feels" and "I’m Falling" quickly put that perception to rest. "Circles" and "Drowning" are probably my least favorite songs on the album, mainly due to the seemingly repetitiveness of each. But, both are better that what anchors some other band’s entire albums. "Into Disaster" could be the heaviest song from start to finish and along with "Memories of You"; they are easily my favorite tracks on the disc.
To compare this band’s sound to another is probably not very accurate. In some songs you can hear similarities to Cold, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and even Limp Bizkit. But, Switched has done a good job of creating an original sound. Overall, I am very impressed with the way they “switch” tempo in the middle of songs, with slight pauses, then quick and severe responses. Drums pound throughout. Guitar solos, as well as rhythm and bass lines, kick your ass. On no track is this theme more evident than, "Travel On". The intro starts out a little mysterious, in the vein of Cold. The tempo builds as the song progresses for about 39 seconds, when you hear some of the heaviest lyrical roars on the record.
A few years ago, Switched was unfortunately caught up in the middle of an Immortal versus Virgin relationship challenge and it eventually left them without a label. Lucky for us, Corporate Punishment Records was there with open arms. The result is ‘Ghosts In the Machine’. So much is good about this album. I believe it’s one of the best ones you’ll hear next year. Not bad for what is being advertised as, “a rarities, b-sides, and demos collection.”
Christopher Wood
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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