The Sound Ex. 'Palomino'

Wasting no time, they launch off with attention grabbing rocker 'Enchantment'. A bag full of attitude, this is fast and exciting and makes you want to hear more - which is fine because there are some outstanding tracks on this album.

'Loss' has one of the best starts to any song I have heard since Nirvana were around. While they certainly could never be compared, in places 'The Sound Ex' have just as much passion in what they play, brought to the fore by some excellent production that adds real weight to the performance. 'Everything Will Be Fine' has a completely unexpected and clearly REM inspired opening then turns into a very haunting song with something to say. 'Shaking Games' will be kicking around your head for hours after you turn off your stereo - not that you will before listening to this again.

I said there were some outstanding tracks on this album, and I wasn't kidding. 'Royal Blood' is a surefire hit which should appeal to fans of Smashing Pumpkins and Manic Street Preachers and is perfectly followed by the broodingly moody 'KIMB' and the incredible 'Born Into The Grave' - 2 minutes of near perfection with another excellent intro. 'Nine Mile Ride' is another guaranteed hit then 'Let It Turn' maintains the high quality of what is on offer and sets up closer and title track 'Palomino' quite beautifully - saving the best till last on what is an absolute corker of an album that just gets better with every play.

I was invited to a live performance at the launch party for 'Palomino' and due to another long standing engagement couldn't make it, but after hearing this I am desperate to see this band live ! Don't get me wrong this isn't mainstream rock or metal, it's much more indie flavoured than that - but it still rocked my world.

A better cover would have been nice, but I think this album has a seriously genuine chance of propelling 'The Sound Ex' towards Stereophonics or even Oasis like status - IT REALLY IS THAT GOOD.



ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.

 www.thesoundex.com    www.myspace.com/thesoundex

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CURRENT LINEUP :

Kit Endean - guitar and vocals

Glen Roughead - guitar and vocals

Steve Gibson - drums

Euan Macfarlane - bass