It’s been four years since Mr Rock, Mr House & Mr Beedle joined forces with Mr Byrne, and took a leisurely stroll to number 2 in the national charts with ‘Lazy’, then bowled off with an Ivor Novello Award, but the effect of that success has stayed with them, and after many a night in the studio, doing a fair amount of head scratching & chin stroking, X-Press 2 have delivered an album packed full of songs with guest vocalists, that more than satisfies expectations. ‘Makeshift Feelgood’ opens with Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner taking the lead on ‘Give It’, a gospel backed house epic which first surfaced last autumn. The Polyphonic Spree’s Tim De Laughter joins XP2 for a groovy pop romp on ‘Witchi Tai To’, which has got hit and day time radio written all over it, as does ‘17’ with Anthony Roman, the bass playing vocalist from New York’s finest Radio 4. The Peech Boys West End classic ‘Don’t Make Me Wait’ gets a 21st century makeover, and features original member Bernard Fowler belting it out, while Rob Harvey of The Music lends his gravel tones to ‘Kill 100’, which comes over like Radiohead at the disco. Last but by no means least, those quirky 80’s Balearic favourites Kissing The Pink join X-Press 2 for no less than four cuts of inspired rhythmic pop that rides a warm breeze. ‘Makeshift Feelgood’ is X-Press 2 taking a giant leap forward and flaunting their song writing talents. Who needs blinkers when you can have this much fun.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: DEAN THATCHER