The Mechanical Forces of Love

2003 studio album by Medicine

The Mechanical Forces of Love

Studio album by

Medicine

Released| July 15, 2003
Genre|

* Dream pop
* indie electronic
* psychedelic

[1][2]
Length| 47:17
Label|

* Wall of Sound
* Astralwerks

Producer| Brad Laner
Medicine chronology
| Her Highness
(1995)  | The Mechanical Forces of Love
(2003)  | To the Happy Few
(2013)

|
|

The Mechanical Forces of Love is the fourth album by American rock band Medicine, released on July 15, 2003 by Wall of Sound.[3]

This album marked the band's return, after eight years of hiatus, in the form of a duo of Brad Laner and Shannon Lee.

## Background

[edit]

The album was Medicine's first record in eight years, and their first album since the group's split.[4][2] The album also marks the group's re-introduction of a female vocalist: singer and actress Shannon Lee, daughter of karate actor Bruce Lee.[2] The Mechanical Forces of Love is Lee's first appearance with the group; previously, vocals were provided by Beth Thompson.[1]

## Style

[edit]

The album's genre has been classified as dream pop, indie electronic, and shoegaze.[1][4] Laner described the album's style as "Glitchy Beach Boys harmonies."[5] The album was perceived by some as a departure from the group's previous shoegazing sound, but others felt that the album was a "synergy" of Medicine's earlier style with that of Laner's side-project, Electric Company.[2] An album review by Uncut described the album's style as a "collision of Beach Boys/West Coast harmonies with beats’n’glitches electronica and mangled sci-fi noise."[6] The album's themes are love and sex.[6]

Opening track "As You Do" was described as "shambolic electro-funk" by Maya Singer (writing for CMJ New Music Monthly), while Pitchfork deemed the song "psychedelic short-circuit funk" and likened its style to Sly Stone.[4][2] Tim Sendra, writing for AllMusic, described Lee's vocals on the song as "almost funky."[1] Many of the album's songs were (uncharacteristically for the band) guitar-less, with "Good for Me" and "Whiz" being singled out as two of the only songs to feature the instrument prominently.[1] Pitchfork posited that the album, despite its techno influence, should be considered "a psychedelic record at heart."[2]

AllMusic compared the album's overall style to Garbage.[1] Both AllMusic and Uncut likened the vocal harmonies to those of the Beach Boys.[1][6]

## Release

[edit]

The album was released on July 15, 2003.[1][7] Some editions were released on the record label Wall of Sound, while others were released by Astralwerks.[8][9]

The single "I Smile to My Eyes" was included on the compilation accompanying the August 2003 issue of CMJ New Music Monthly.[10] To promote the album, it was given to non-commercial modern rock radio stations, with the focus tracks singled out as "I Smile to My Eyes," "As You Do," "Astral Gravy," and "Wet on Wet."[11]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [1]
Guardian| [5]
Pitchfork| (8.0/10)[2]
Uncut| [6]

Upon its release, the album received positive reviews from critics, holding a score of 70/100 on review aggregate site Album of the Year.[12] In a review for Pitchfork, critic Nitsuh Abebe commended the album's "gorgeous movements," singling out "As You Do" as a "wow-inducing rush" and concluding that "For some it might burn off quickly, but for just as many it'll sit just fine."[2]

## Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by Brad Laner and Shannon Lee, except where noted. Adapted from album liner notes.[8]

No.| Title| Writer(s)| Length

|
|
|

1.| "As You Do"|  | 3:40
2.| "I Smile to My Eyes"|  | 4:20
3.| "Wet on Wet"|  | 3:50
4.| "Best Future"| Brad Laner| 4:14
5.| "ioi"|  | 4:35
6.| "I M Yrs"|  | 4:35
7.| "Astral Gravy"|  | 2:56
8.| "Good for Me"|  | 3:56
9.| "Negative Capability"| Brad Laner| 3:39
10.| "Whiz"|  | 3:36
11.| "Sodden Rockets"| Kid606, Brad Laner| 3:42
12.| "And Sometimes Y"|  | 4:32

## Personnel

[edit]

Medicine

* Brad Laner – vocals, instruments, production, engineering, mixing
* Shannon Lee – vocals

Production and additional personnel

* Jonathan de Villiers – photography
* Matt Devine – additional vocals
* Kid606 – drum machine
* Josh Laner – drums
* Joey Waronker – drums

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sendra, Tim. "The Mechanical Forces of Love". AllMusic. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Abebe, Nitsuh (July 15, 2003). "Medicine: The Mechanical Forces of Love". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
3. ^ Sprague, David (2007). "Medicine". Trouser Press. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
4. ^ a b c Singer, Maya (August 2003). "Reviews: Medicine". CMJ New Music Monthly (115): 55. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
5. ^ a b Sweeting, Adam (27 June 2003). "Review: CD: Medicine: The Mechanical Forces of Love". Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
6. ^ a b c d "Review: Medicine – The Mechanical Forces Of Love". Uncut. TI Media. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
7. ^ "Upcoming at Retail". CMJ New Music Report. 76 (6): 42. July 7, 2003. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
8. ^ a b Laner, Brad (2003). The Mechanical Forces of Love (Album booklet). Medicine. Astralwerks. p. 1.
9. ^ "Releases: The Mechanical Forces of Love". AllMusic. RhythmOne. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
10. ^ "Compilation Liner Notes". CMJ New Music Monthly (115). August 2003. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
11. ^ Team Retail (August 4, 2003). "Retail: Points of Impact". CMJ New Music Report. 76 (10): 37. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
12. ^ "Overview: Medicine – The Mechanical Forces of Love". Album of the Year. Retrieved January 27, 2019.

## External links

[edit]

* The Mechanical Forces of Love at Discogs (list of releases)

* v
* t
* e

Brad Laner

Studio albums|

* Neighbor Singing
* Natural Selections

as Electric Company|

| Studio albums|

* A Pert Cyclic Omen
* Studio City
* Omakase
* Exitos
* Slow Food
* It's Hard to Be a Baby
* Creative Playthings

|

EPs|

* 62-56

Remix albums|

* Electric Company Plays Amnesia
* Greatest Hits

as Amnesia|

* Cherry Flavor Night Time
* Lingus

as Personal Electronics|

* The Story of Personal Electronics

Savage Republic|

* Jamahiriya Democratique et Populaire de Sauvage
* Customs

Medicine|

* Shot Forth Self Living
* The Buried Life
* Her Highness
* The Mechanical Forces of Love
* To the Happy Few
* Home Everywhere

Lusk|

* Free Mars

with Vas Deferens Organization|

* Transcontinental Conspiracy

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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