MK III

The only thing I can say without sounding insane is really awesome. Need more reason to check it out? No. Just trust me.

As a game developer, I was stuck in a creative rut. I haven't had as much creative energy as when I discovered Steam Powered Giraffe. I feel so incredibly inspired. They're the perfect amount of creative, unhinged and catchy. You give me Mecto Amore.

I loved this album! It was a bit different, it doesn't mean bad, and it doesn't mean good. I loved equally to the other ones but don't think that means I only love it a little because that would be a lie! I also enjoyed how the songs all had references to each other. I think my favorite though was "Turn back the clock." Because I felt like I could easily connect with it and the story of it might not be long from now in my life.

you need to understand the idea is this album focuses is on time travel loves lost and found and the power of the human heart i got a chance to see this group and they where excellent in every way and accepting of there bandmates change. there acceptance is amazing and its a amazing album

I just discovered Steam Powered Giraffe, and their music never fails to amaze me!! Such a unique and talented group that's refreshing to hear in the world of today's music that all sounds the same.

What a miraculous sound that almost takes me to broadway. Steam Powered Giraffe is something new to the table, and I think it will be hard to tire from. I could listen to this band for ages! I do hope they get bigger, and I hope their next album is just as well done. Maybe better.

I only discovered Steam Powered Giraffe last year, but right from the beginning I was hooked. "Album One" and "The 2c Show" are both on heavy rotation in my music library, and I was very much looking forward to the release of "MK III." But while this album is still a stand-out product and a joy for fans of America's favorite clockwork automatons, I have to say I'm not thrilled. The whole is somewhat less than the sum of its parts. First, the positive. The band's newest robot, Hatchworth (AKA Sam Luke) has a higher voice that lends itself to topping off intricate harmonies, and his persona of the slightly daffy butler-bot is endearing. Brother-sister duo The Spine (David Bennet) and Rabbit (Bunny Bennet) possess considerable charisma, enviably broad ranges and a dedication to their work that shows through in their songs. You can't help feeling that these are people who really enjoy their work and want you to share their excitement. The group's off-beat approach shines on songs like "Ghost Grinder," which conjures up images of graveyard dances with robots leading the Danse Macabre. "Mecto Amore" starts us off right, being equal parts bizarre, eerie and affectionate. (There may be some Tim Burton influence here.) And "Hatch Fever" gives Hatchworth a moment to ham it up for all he's worth. Overall, though, I was disappointed. Both "Album One" and "The 2c Show" were all over the place stylistically, but it was part of their charm: when the track changed you might get a tall-tale sea shanty, a swingin' love song, a surreal goof-off about an ice cream man, or a Charlie Daniels-inspired yarn on the perils of demonic bargains. It fit the robots' backstory as musicians who had been witness to the whole 20th century and all the musical changes that came with it. It felt spontaneous, fun and a little bit crazy. By contrast, "MK III" is much more uniform, with an overall electronic pop feel and much more post-production work evident. Some edges have been filed off. I was also disappointed by some of the songs. "Go Spine Go" is a fun concept--Rabbit and Hatchworth goofing on The Spine and making fun of him with over-exaggerated compliments--but a ponderous tune and a focus on gross-out humor made it hard to enjoy. "Roller Skate King" was promising but felt unfinished: the group's previous track record of gloriously over-the-top tall-tale ballads leaves you expecting more than you get. "Wired Wrong" and "Turn Back the Clock" both start strong and have their charms, but again, I was left wanting more. Overall, this is a good album. Steam Powered Giraffe remain a unique, fascinating group--there's nothing quite like them in the musical scene, and yes, I do mean that in a positive way--but the fun and pageantry we've previously seen from them seem to be less evident here. I suspect I'll still buy their next album, but I hope "MK III" is a unique case, not evidence of their new direction.

I love this album! It's different than a lot of their older songs, but sometimes different is good. Keep it up, guys and gals! :D

Quite a good album, but why is Fire Fire not on this? Too dark or are they waiting to make it a single?

With anticipated arrival of the much welcomed Hatchworth, I was super excited to get my hands on the new SPG album but was slightly disappointed when I finally got it. The band has a very pure sound that has been evolving ever since their conception. As much as I love the sound from their album The 2 Cent Show, I actually don't care much for this new pop-ish sound that overruns MKIII. With that being said, the music does grow on you only after listening to it a second or third time. My biggest critique for this album is there is way to much "belting" that sounds like very loud and confident whining. The biggest offender for this would be the opening of "A Way Into Your Heart". I would describe it as a brilliant sound that usually spreads like butter being splattered around the kitchen walls; despite the overall kitchen being beautiful and metallic... it still has a bunch of greasy butter stains that need to be cleaned up. My second complaint would be the lyrical make up of most of the album. I guess I am used to the old style of storytelling along with lyrics and verses that are witty yet fun to follow. "Go Spine Go" starts off very enjoyably and continues to take the high road until about halfway through when the subject matter suddenly shifts to something crude and unappealing for the rest of the song....WHY? JUST WHY???: O Another disappointing song that falls victim to weird and unfocused lyrics would be "Fancy Shoes". Maybe I'm just not intelligent enough to decipher what the heck the song is trying to say. With those songs aside, the rest of the album is fairly good with a few being wonderfully catchy and succeed in making you feel something emotionally. I would say that the most well written musically and lyrically (rightfully being my favorite) would be "I'll Rust With You", "Hatch Fever", "She Said Maybe", and "Turn Back the Clock" - maybe "Mecto Amore" if you forgive the overly extensive use of the words "mecto amore". Over all the album could have been better than just ok but unfortunately negatives typically count more than positives when it comes to human experiences. I just cannot get over the random whine-belting, tiring overuse of register changes, and lyrical verses that lead to no payoff. A little bit goes a long way, and MKIII seems to spread the "little bit" just a bit to thickly making the final album give its audience the underwhelming feeling of "Meh.... It's Ok I Guess"