At first glance, Immaculate Machine’s Fables appears to be one of those bands that talented musicians contribute to when they aren’t doing their full time band. After all, IM pulls from several other acts. Kathryn Calder is one of many New Pornographers to branch out, and is one of the lead vocalists for Immaculate Machine. Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand lends vocals on “Jarhand”, the first song on the record, and also gets backing vox assistance from members of The Cribs. And is that was not enough, indie string hero Owen Pallett (Final Fantasy) provides arrangements and strings on a couple songs.

But, in truth, Immaculate Machine is not some sort of supergroup or even a side project, and Fables is the second full length album from the band, (with a six song EP stuck in between), who’s core members are Calder, Brooke Gallupe and Luke Kozlowski. The Canadian indie pop rockers take their name from a Paul Simon song, and bring some of the same shimmery sounds that Simon brought to his classic album Graceland. But that is probably where the Simon comparisons end, and Immaculate Machine shows their own colors.

Fables follows up the 2006 release, Ones and Zeroes, which was quite the indie pop gem itself to those that were able to find it. The trio is still with Mint Records, who knows a thing or two about indie pop already and have really got me excited with this new album. The band manages to dive into the indie pop pool and still rock out. If that is possible, especially from a band that is best known and received with their sunny side up. But tunes like Old Flame bring some guitar heavy rock as well.

Be sure to sample IM below, and look out for this album, due out June 12th from Mint Records.

Immaculate Machine – Dear Confessor

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