Viva Machine (album)

Viva Machine
Studio album by
Viva Machine
Released15 June 2009
Recorded2007–2008, Warwick Hall, Cardiff
GenreAlternative rock
LabelRocklouder Records
ProducerRichard Jackson
Singles from Viva Machine
  1. "Robotbodyrox"
    Released: 9 November 2008
  2. "Earthquakers and Loveshakers"
    Released: 8 June 2009

Viva Machine is the self-titled debut album by Welsh band Viva Machine, released worldwide on 15 June 2009.[1]

History

The album was completed in mid-2008, with the band recording 15 A-sides, which were then whittled down to the 10 tracks that have made the album. The first single from the album, "Robotbodyrox" was released on 9 November 2008. Rock Sound magazine included "Futuristic Dracula" as a track on its free CD in the 2008 Christmas edition. "Earthquakers and Loveshakers" will be released as a free download on 15 June.[2][3] The album's track listing was revealed on Amazon.com music, along with 30 second samples of each of the tracks.[4]

The album's second single "Earthquakers and Loveshakers", new official website, artwork, album track listing[5] and 10 track previews were revealed on 5 May 2009; the music video [6] for "Earthquakers and Loveshakers", also released on 5 May, was directed by Adam Linzey and produced and developed by New Treatment, the location used was a disused retirement home, as well as scenery created using green screening.[7] It was also revealed that if fans signed up to the bands mailing list they would receive the single as a free download on 8 June as opposed to a week later on the album's release.[8]

To complement the "Earthquakers and Loveshakers" promotional video, a 'making of' documentary was filmed on set by Richard Collins.

The album artwork and concept, an instructional manual/scrapbook for an 'imagined machine', was designed by Richard Collins and produced with Nicole Carter and Viva Machine.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Rock Sound[9]
This Is Fake DIY[10]
The Tune(C+)[11]

Toni-Michelle Spencer of This Is Fake DIY heavily praised the record, giving it 8/10 and stating "we fell in love with Viva Machine from the outset: absolutely glorious – truly a band worth keeping your eye on",[12] Click Music's Dom Smith also rated the album highly, "let's face it, they have hooks that you can't resist and catchy lyrics you might not always understand, but that you certainly can't ignore. Believe the hype, Viva Machine are coming to rock your body right" giving it 4/5.[13] Rock Sound magazine's Mike Haydock rated the album 7/10 "they sound hugely talented and chart-bound"[14]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Viva Machine

Album Tracks
No.TitleLength
1."Robotbodyrox" 
2."Go Johny, Go! Go! Go!" 
3."Earthquakers & Loveshakers" 
4."Oxygen" 
5."Death Star Trucker" 
6."Yo Ho" 
7."Here Comes The Speed Of Light" 
8."Supernova" 
9."A Futuristic Dracula" 
10."Mental State" 
B-Sides
No.TitleLength
1."Mercenaries" 
2."Delirious" 
3."Hospital" 
4."Nothing is Impossible" 
Remixes
No.TitleLength
1."Robotbodyrox (Mr. Michael Monster Remix) (Appears on the Robotbodyrox single)" 
2."Robotbodyrox (Acoustic) (Appears on the Robotbodyrox single)" 

References

  1. ^ "Viva Machine Debut Album Plans". Click music. 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  2. ^ "Viva Machine Announce Debut Album". This Is Fake DIY. 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  3. ^ "Viva Machine Announce Debut Album". Rock Sound. 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  4. ^ "Viva Machine - Self Titled Album". Amazon. 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  5. ^ "Viva Machine Self titled". Play.com. 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  6. ^ "Viva Machine Earthquakers and Loveshakers music video". thisisfakediy. 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  7. ^ "Viva Machine video shoot completed". New Treatment. 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  8. ^ "Viva Machine Earthquakers and Loveshakers". Clickmusic. 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  9. ^ Rock Sound review
  10. ^ This Is Fake DIY review
  11. ^ The Tune review
  12. ^ Reviews: Viva Machine - Viva Machine this is fake diy, June 2009
  13. ^ Viva Machine Click Music, Dom Smith, June 2009
  14. ^ viva machine - viva machine review Rock Sound, June 2009