Perpetual Motion Machine

13 Engines switched labels for their 1993 sophomore release Perpetual Motion Machine and frontman John Critchley handled production duties. The result is a record that, while perhaps a bit cleaner sonically than their debut, finds the band still creating a glorious racket. They do stretch some creatively, though. They open with "Bred in the Bone," a slow burner that gathers momentum and is a bit darker in mood than their previous material. The hypnotic "Home" is another song that builds from a somber opening to a layered-guitar crescendo. Perpetual Motion Machine is full of tasteful dynamic shifts in songs like "Unconscience," "Smoke & Ashes," and the stellar "What If We Don't Get What We Want," with bassist Jim Hughes taking a turn at lead vocals on a track that begins as dreamy pop before closing in a sonic fury. With Perpetual Motion Machine, 13 Engines easily builds on their impressive debut with another fantastic effort.