Immaculate Machine: More Proof that Canada Rocks

Immaculate Machine is an indie rock group out of Victoria, British Columbia that is only one of the many reasons why sometimes I feel like Canada is taking over indie rock. (i.e. Arcade Fire, New Pornographers, Tegan & Sara, Broken Social Scene, Wolf Parade, Islands, just to name a few) Immaculate Machine presents an upbeat indie rock vibe with dramatic choruses that is very reminiscent of fellow Canadian indie rockers the New Pornographers This makes more sense upon discovery that Immaculate Machines keyboardist/vocalist Kathryn Calder has been a permanent member of New Pornographers since 2006.

Immaculate Machine have released 4 full studio albums dating back to 2004, but it is 2007's Fables that stands brightest among the rest. When they're at their best they have both compelling lyrics and melodies which provides for a greatly catchy pop sensation like the New Pornographers' sound but a little lighter on the power pop elements than the New Pornographers. Check out stand-out Fables track "Dear Confessor" to see what I mean:

High on Jackson Hill is Immaculate Machine's most recent album, which came out in 2009. It does not offer many of the terrific pop elements of Fables which preceded it, but is still very good in a different aspect. The album is slower in tempo than Fables but is more sincere and has a bit more of a (quiet) rock sound to it. Even though Fables is more appealing to me, if nothing else I respect the move Immaculate Machine went on High on Jackson Hill to establish themselves more distinctly as their own group, when Fables sounded maybe too similar to New Pornographers. Here's a taste of High on Jackson Hill: