Reviewed on Oct 8, 2005 by Tom

Meet Manchester’s Sonic Boom 6. A sneaky little 5-piece band that is deceiving friend and foe alike by omitting those two extra 6es from their name. Because let’s set things straight from the start: SB6 are EVIL! They’re so devilishly delightful it would take (at least) 7 holy knives to get them out of my head at this particular moment in time. But I’m sure you will all agree that even the devil has some obvious flaws.

SB6 is an oddball of a band, with a sound that is so very distinct it will make the band a very hit-or-miss phenomenon to most people. Take the lead vocals of Laila for instance. The Mancunian accent is setting me off at various moments in almost every song but boy do I get crackered up when she gets the melody going or when she spits her way through a multitude of social and other wordly issues in another rapping verse with the skills of a true grandmaster MC. The X-factor is certainly present in this bo(o)mbastic clash of punk, dub, reggae, hiphop and a multitude of danceable-grooves but it is clear that the band still has a large margin of progression since “Sounds To Consume” is only the bands second E.P and features the 4 songs of their “Turbo” Ep together with 4 new tracks and 2 videos. It is a testimony to the bands extrovertness that it was produced by former Skunk Anansie axeman Ace. In these times when there are so many bands who sound alike, it is a true pleasure to listen to SB6’s very own concoction. I get the same vibe I had listening to King Prawn but SB6 swim in deeper waters. Sometimes they submerge their music in what seem to reggae-dub sensibilities that would make a band like 3-11 proud, while at other moments the energy oozing from their compositions is almost tangible. Just listen to “The Rape Of Punk To Come”, a track with an obvious message and an anthemic nature that just refuses to be denied. An element that is recurring throughout the album is the addition of some superb saxophone solo’s. That guy can PLAY! The interactions between Laila and the two other vocalists in the band are pulled off in a convincing fashion as well, and add an extra depth that masks “the Laila-effect” somewhat. An excellent example of those vocal interactions is “Let the Children Play” that features some amazing harmonies, breakdowns and singalong parts. A crowd-pleaser in live conditions for sure, though I’m curious how they’re going to pull of that drumm ‘n bass part of the song in said environment. On “Monkey See, Monkey Do” the band shows another face altogether with a more tradtitional reggae/dub approach and a lot of hip/hop and rap influences. And what to say of the reworked version of The Clash’s “Safe European Home”? It’s a true delight with that superb sax leading right into the many changes in tempo and stylistic approaches within the song. There are some outstanding tracks on this Ep but I think the band can still groom their myriad of influences into better songs. They are surely on the right path at this point in time.

“Sounds To Consume” is a release from a highly promising and talented band that excells in its versatility and its unique character that defies placing the band in this or that category. I found myself humming their tunes at work while I hand’t listened to the album for days in a row. They didn’t immediately strike me as instantly remarkable, and I can’t say I am 100% enthused now either but it is certainly an interesting and fun album to listen to when you want something different, something that stands out for a change. And if your friends ask you what the fuck you are listening too now, you can say the Devil made you do it!

Related Links:

• www.sonicboomsix.co.uk
• www.moonskaeurope.com

1. The Rape Of Punk To Come
2. Let The Children Play
3. Monkey See, Monkey Do
4. Safe European Home
5. Blood For Oil
6. People Acklike They Don’t Know
7. The Devil Made Me Do It
8. Silent Majority

Album Reviews

	The Ruff Guide To Genre Terrorism Jul 10, 2006
	Sounds To Consume Oct 31, 2004

Interviews

Jan 1, 2005