Monster in the Machine, Butterfly Pinned -written by Lynn
X4
Track List:
1. Fear of the Mind
2. Helicopter
3. Perfect
4. Under Your Shadow
5. One Way Trip
6. Savior
7. Dot on My Soul
8. Shut the Door
9. Dog Interlude
10. Dog
11. Burns Inside Me
12. Don't
During my conversations with Monster in the Machine lead singer/songwriter Shannon Crawford, he expressed to me that one of
the things that was so unappealing about a lot of music today was that some artist don't take any pride in their work, that they put
their effort into only one or two really good songs, then piece their albums together with whatever else they have left. It fulfills the
purpose; it sells albums, but then how satisfied, really, is the music listener?
How satisfied is the artist, really? He expressed to me his desire to see more artists who put their all into something, and who put
out "complete" albums.

Albums made of more than just a couple of singles with a lot of other junk thrown in. Albums like, for instance, Butterfly Pinned,
which Shannon prides himself as having done just that with and given to his fans an album of music that's worth listening to, from
the first track to the last.  

After giving Butterfly Pinned, produced by James "Munky" Shaeffer's Emotional Syphon records, a few listens through (mostly in
my car, which is where I do most of my serious listening), I would have to agree with him for the most part. The album is
definitely more of a work of art than a lot of music that's floating around out there today. Of course I have my favorites that I think
are definitely worthy of 'work of art' status, and <i>Butterfly Pinned</i> definitely belongs among them. It's obvious to me that a lot
of effort, a lot of creativity and talent, went into making this album with the way each song says something, each track sounds
different, but yet it all works together to create one finished work that, to quote Crawford, takes the listener on a trip through space
and time, and he's counting on them to let go of their minds, even if for just a little while, to fully appreciate the depth and the layers
to his music.  


On first listen to the album, right from the first track, Crawford draws from his influences to create something eclectic, yet
powerful. Fear of the Mind comes in with a Beatlesque intro, then falls quickly into something that initially gave me the feel of old
E.L.O., that surging, synth-aided guitar and vocals. Track 2, Helicopter, is a very versatile tune comprised of different musical
styles and sounds mashed together to combine into something very eclectic and new, yet with a real retro, seventies rock feel to it.
Definitely a track that keeps the interest as it moves from piano to trumpets to synthesizer, and then leads seamlessly into the third
track, Perfect, which I would say is how Crawford feels this album has turned out for him. With such notable musicians as Josh
Freese, Doug Ardito, James Shaeffer, Zac Baird and Imani Coppola helping out, it's an impressive first effort for this new
band.   

Under Your Shadow begins with a rather ethereal feel to it, sounding a bit like early Bowie; definite early eighties, new-age
influences here, which appeal to my ear. Most every track on the CD throws a bit of a retro vibe of some sort, though there's
definitely enough newer, contemporary sounds to please the younger music lovers as well. One thing that I really <i>do</i> like
about the varied sounds and styles of all the tracks on Butterfly Pinned, too, is how they really are all influenced by some
recognizable style of music, though there is nothing on this CD that's been taken from anywhere other than Crawford's own
creativity. Savior, for example, is so reminiscent of the goth band Christian Death, yet he's admittedly never heard them. Leading
into Shut the Door, with its violin intro, I fall into the same trance-like state that certain songs by Led Zeppelin and even Zebra have
pulled me into, with its loftiness. And not only instrument and synth, but Crawford's vocals are creatively varied through the whole
record, sometimes smooth and steady, other times distorted and just plain strange.  

Between the electronically created sounds and the naturally created, tracks like Dog Intro and Dog are a grab bag of interesting
expression. Then, in a fitting closing to this compilation of eclectic, electric sounds and voice, this classic, seventies, new-age
sounding collection, it gives way to something much simpler and more serene. Don't begins with merely an acoustic guitar and
Crawford's soft voice, yet continues on to become a great ballad through only the addition of electric guitar, drum and piano. With
its almost soundtrack feel to it, Don't adequately slows things down for the listener. The best analogy I can give for this last track
on the CD is that it's brought us full circle; we've been through worlds at this point, and the ending grounds us once more as the
last vocal notes fade off.

A very eclectic, very unique album that should appeal to many varied tastes, Butterfly Pinned is one that's different, sure, but
definitely not an album to be missed. There are parts and pieces pulled from so many things, there's most certainly something here
for lovers of every music type. Regardless, there are a few songs on the album - Fear of the Mind, Savior, Under Your Shadow,
Shut The Door and Don't- that would definitely be a shame to be missed.