New Jersey based band Fun Machine released their debut Sonnehuhn early in 2009. It contains so many genres that I’ve lost count. One thing it’s very upbeat and quirky as well as some fun (pun intended) humor. They sound an awful like Red-era Crimson but with a punk attitude. The music does have an accessible side full of catchy hooks and melodies. At the same time it’s whole ’nother something new.
My favorites of this album are “Blok People” which shows the Crimson side the most. “Liquid Pants” is a hyper-active song that is infectious even with it’s oddness. “Lost In Glasgow” is a blend of punk and progressive rock. The epic of the album, “Family Vapor” to me, sums up what the band is all about. It has all of the elements described above. I still come back to a Red-era Crimson mixed with punk attitudes adding some 80‘s art rock for good measure.
Fun Machine is slowly becoming one of my favorite new bands. One Sonnehuhn, they deliver the goods. This is very recommended if you like quirky and hyper-active side of progressive rock as well as the above mentioned bands.
Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on April 15th, 2009
