MOTOR have achieved a lot in their 6 years. Already on their fourth album, the duo of Bryan Black and Olly Grasset have also remixed for Depeche Mode (who they toured with in 2009), Throbbing Gristle and Marilyn Manson, and collaborated with electro-dance protagonists Felix da Housecat and Princess Superstar.

Initial albums arrived from a heavily techno-oriented perspective, whereas Man Made Machine moves towards a post-industrial sound, evidently influenced by the hard-hitting electro-pop of Depeche Mode. The switchover has led to what is a song-based album, and vocal contributors are impressive, including Martin Gore, Gary Numan and Douglas McCarthy.

In all honesty, MOTOR brings little that is new to the industrial template in terms of production, style or approach. What they do manage to do, however, is to borrow from some rather obvious sources and repackage with enthusiasm and verve. The title track, for example, follows DM’s Personal Jesus so closely that it’s almost a remix (with Martin Gore even lending a hand on vocals), while The Knife (feat. Nitzer Ebb’s Douglas McCarthy) is very heavily reminiscent of long-forgotten Industrial acid heads Sheep On Drugs.

Meanwhile, the pounding metal of Pleasure in Heaven enlists Gary Numan on vocals – although you wouldn’t know it, as that famous grainy delivery is completely masked by his whispery style and MOTORS vocoded treatment. MOTOR are also versatile enough to vary the album with female contributions from Reni Lane and Billy Ray Martin.

Although MOTOR display their influences all too obviously, Man Made Machine still delivers a cohesive and enjoyable listen. They adapt very well to the new, song-structured approach and get the balance right between dancefloor-driven electro-industrial and electronic pop. Many of the songs have memorable hooks, and the production is pretty much nailed on.

MOTOR should thrive within the confines of what is a fairly limited and predictable genre. However, one does get the impression that they will have to develop a more unique, modern style if they’re to move away from their current B-list status – and perhaps Man Made Machine is one step towards that.