Returning with a fourth album that ventures into futuristic vibes, both musically and thematically, Our Lady Peace take Spiritual Machines into an exploration of a seemingly dreary, hollow existence in the soulless reality of a computer-driven world. Influenced by Ray Kurzweil's book The Age of Spiritual Machines – When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence, the Canadian quartet fork up a new lyrical direction, but the album's musical aesthetics don't shine with smooth brilliance.

Although "Right Behind You" has a melodic hook with standard lyrics of determined affection, taking the romantic route, "Life" and "Everyone's a Junkie" are representative of the band's concern for a sterile, mechanical world. "In Repair" rings out with catchy rock instrumentals and vocals singing, "Like a machine they'll fix you from the start." Then "Middle of Yesterday" delivers those harsh vocals at their sharpest, piercing to discomfort. And that tends to be the major glitch in the complete work. Right when Raine Maida's vocals are about to win you over, he'll take a harsh turn that leaves you cringing. One of the subtle tracks, ""Are You Sad?" mellows down to a simple acoustic tone, with Maida going into ballad mode and finally trying out some easy crooning for a cohesive, soothing sound.

Constructed with a penchant for abstract rock akin to the tactics of The Smashing Pumpkins, albeit not quite as unconventional or satisfying, Spiritual Machines favors philosophizing amidst musical collages that may lack congruency. Although the album's sense of experimentation is admirable, erratic vocals weigh down the listening experience at times, and it never entirely entices.

- Linda Koffman
March 21, 2001


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