THE MACHINE THAT CRIED

The most recognized String Driven Thing album among the prog fans is not that much of a prog album, but it is understandable why it is considered their best effort, since there is a 11-minute song that, although it is not that varied or adventurous, it has three parts and, as always, Graheme Smith's experimental violin and viola sounds make it more interesting. either in the sung parts and in the instrumental interlude, which is the best thing in String Driven Thing career along with the experimental Timpani for the Devil in the following album. Another song that is also one of the proggy highlights is The Machine That Cried, which has great solos in the end.

One thing that is particularly interesting from this album is that many of the songs have a darker and somber mood, and it makes it sound better than the other albums where the non-proggy songs (the majority) were not much different from what 70s blues rock, folk rock and hard rock bands were doing. For example, Heartfeeder is a song that doesn't change much except for the solo, but the darker tone makes the violin shine. Sold Down the River is another rock with bluesy riffs, but enhanced by the electric violin solos.

There are obviously more rock and folk songs than prog ones. To See You, Travelling and The House are folk songs, the first being the most interesting to me, sounding like many folk rock songs from late 60s. People in the Street is a lenghty ballad, while Night Club and Two Timin' Rama makes things more interesting because of the change in the mood, since they are pure blues rock.

The album, being a bit uneven, fails a bit to become a masterpiece, but even so it ends being the most interesting String Driven Thing album not much because it is a prog gem, but because it has a bunch of interesting songs. I wouldn't say it is radically different to their other albums, but in a prog point of view, maybe it is the one that will leave the listener more satisfied, although most of the songs are either blues rock or folk.