X-Press 2 - Makeshift Feelgood

by Rob McCrae

There's not even the slightest room for morbid introspection

"X-Press 2 enjoyed fleeting success in 2002 when they coaxed Talking Heads frontman David Byrne to feature on the single 'Lazy', which is still played in Essex nightclubs to this day. "

X-Press 2 enjoyed fleeting success in 2002 when they coaxed Talking Heads frontman David Byrne to feature on the single 'Lazy', which is still played in Essex nightclubs to this day.

Sadly, on this release there are no epic singles, although joy breaks through the the commercial synthesisers as they haphazardedly paper each track with melody. 'Enjoy The Ride' is cushioned by some pleasing ethereal vocals courtesy of collaborator Kissing The Pink who emerges like a sea monster on four other tracks including the majestic final track 'Last Man'.

'17' opts for Flash Gordon musical effects against the ghost of Paul Oakenfold while 'Fellow Cutie' offsets a squirmy punk vocal swirling against a whirlpool of button rupturing. 'Witchi Tai To' features Tim DeLaughter of Polyphonic Spree and as befits the collaborator, the track it's wildly eclectic, sounding vaguely like a nursery rhyme told in the Californian sunshine and then passed through a gay pride filter.

One aspect of this album that should not be overlooked is the fist of elation that pervades its tracklisting so there's never even the slightest room for morbid introspection. Other guest vocalists include Rob Harvey (The Music) and Kurt Wagner (Lambchop) and despite the overhanging sense that they will always be anchored to that Byrne tune this is by no means a throwaway piece of work.

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