[Album Review] Review: Robert Machado’s ‘The Feast’

Independent artists’ work often seems to melt into several different genres, not quite fitting perfectly into any one classification. That is very much the case with ‘The Feast,’ a new nine track endeavor from Robert Machado. Though the album has received praise as an “alternative rock” effort, it’s also doused in psychedelic, prog rock, and more, painting a bizarre sonic portrait. Is it worth listening, though? Let’s find out.

The album opens with its title track, a song with a bevy of peculiar mixing issues. Sometimes the vocals are far too soft, other times, too loud. The searingly loud electric guitars banters back and forth with erratic percussion, demanding your attention. It’s somewhat unclear if ‘The Feast’ was purposely structured in this fashion. At the track’s halfway point, it becomes soaked with synthesizers, too, evoking a Foreigner-like soundscape. Truthfully, it’s a bit wild, but a great introduction to the album.

Click the audio below to hear The Feast!
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‘Bullfrog and the Praying Mantis’ continues Machado’s unique cluster of genre stylings, adding acoustic instrumentation, a screeching harmonica, water sound effects, and copious reverb into the mix. As a surreal, psychedelic piece, it’s very enjoyable and bit more coherent than its predecessor.

Click the audio below to hear BUllfrog!
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‘Even Kill,’ the song that was lauded by the Akademia Music Awards, is one of my favorites and is now available on Amazon for download.
Click the audio below to hear Even Kill!
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As the album continues, Machado’s influences prove continuously all-encompassing, with ‘Locked Room’ sounding less like a Foreigner or Pink Floyd track and more like a metal, screamo-tinged anthem. Instrumentally, it’s a stronger effort, especially in the introductory section. The song is quickly proves Machado’s amazing lead vocals. The bass performance is also a notable stand-out section on the piece.

Click the audio below to hear Locked Room!
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‘Private Bibles’ is one of the album’s more intriguing tracks; the electric guitar performance is quite good. It might remind one of a Crazy Horse guitar solo, wandering around in a haze of nasty, but appealing distortion. The lyrics are a bit vague, though, a societal injustice and greed with tortured metaphors.

Click the audio below to hear Private Bibles!
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“This song is my contribution to the personification of me,”

Machado sings on ‘Personification.’ It’s not entirely clear what that means, truthfully, and the song never fleshes out its themes or motivations. Musically, though, the subdued style of ‘Personification’ makes it one of the album’s most listenable and accessible tracks.

Click the audio below to hear Personification!
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‘29,’ however, a song where the guitar solo seems to be in a different key than the rest of the song. It’s worth noting, though, that the growing-old navel-gazing of ‘29’ is more coherent and understandable than the rest of the record’s lyricism.

Click the audio below to hear ’29’!
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‘Lost’ is likely the album’s most frustrating pursuit, a song in which Machado embodies a demon-like voice as all of the instrumentation slams against the wall in a headache-inducing fashion. It sounds much more like one is listening to a metal band rehearsing in a garage next door than an actual studio cut – however, there is something to be said about the raw emotion of this piece.

Click the audio below to hear Lost!
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The album’s longest and best track, ‘Ticking Away,’ is a very likable finale to an album that stumbles heavily attempting to find its footing. The synthesizer solo at the halfway point is engaging, the blaring lead guitar is evocative of 1980s anthem rock, and Machado’s voice is in finer form than the rest of the record.

Click the audio below to hear Ticking Away!
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‘The Feast’ is a strong album.  Machado’s dedication to his art is impressive. This is a very good exhibition of art from professional standard and it’s clear that Machado poured his heart and soul into this artistry. That makes it art nonetheless. If it is one’s cup of tea, Machado is clearly devoted to creating music in this style.