Vocals, guitar give EP a U2-like sound

The band the Secret Machines is very fond of guitar effects pedals.

Just when The Edge, guitarist for U2, was the undisputed master of oversaturated melodies drowning in an electronic sea of flange and chorus, this band comes along to lay claim to the title.

The band's six song EP The Road Leads Where it's Led contains two original songs and four covers. Yes, four covers.

Four cover songs on a six-song EP is an odd choice because it leads a more jaded listener to the conclusion that the band belongs in a smoky bar performing for the half-sauced masses and not enjoying the fruits of a major record label deal.

This is not to insinuate that cover songs are inherently bad. If done well, they can improve upon the original. The Secret Machines manage to pull off "Astral Works" by Van Morrison, which is treading in dangerous water because we all know that Van is the man.

The song clocks in at a hefty six minutes and slowly builds to an instrumental cresendo reminiscent of Lou Reed on Rock 'n' Roll Animal. It feels like it belongs in one of those sappy ensemble movies about drug-addicted porno stars from the '70s playing in its entirety during the montage at the end of the second act where all the characters are laying down to sleep off that five-day cocaine bender.

They do not fare as well on "Girl from North County," written by Bob Dylan. Dylan is one of the most widely covered songwriters in the history of western civilization and many great covers of his songs exist. But this particular take on the subject, reminiscent of earlier Radiohead, is simply too long - nine minutes - and so tediously slow and meandering that severe ADD is sure to set in by the four-minute mark.

The band also takes a stab at "Money (That's What I Want)" which was undeniably lame back in 1980-whatever. Leave it alone. Please, just leave it alone.

The final track, "De Luxe" is in German, apparently a cover of something not quite recognizable. This song and the one of the band's two originals, "The Road Leads Where it's Led" sound somewhat similar to U2. The vocals soar into the upper eschelon of male vocals reminding the listener, for better or worse, of singer Bono.

Bono-like singing coupled with The Edge guitar alchemy gives The Secret Machines a decidedly U2-like sound. If you have a thing for those dudes from Dublin then the Secret Machines is the band for you. If the thought of listening to U2 makes you vomit in your mouth slightly, avoid this EP at all costs.