Sonic Boom Six - Back 2 Skool

  by Peter Allison

published: 9 / 10 / 2009

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Review

With a sound not unlike the Alabama 3, the 'Back 2 Skool' CD single is an energetic affair by Manchester’s Sonic Boom Six, a punk band with reggae and hip-hop influences, and who sound not unlike a punk version of No Doubt. The title track of 'Back 2 Skool' opens with the jangle of school bells, which is reminiscent of 'Baggy Trousers', but the similarity to Madness ends there. 'Back 2 Skool' is a relentless tour de force that does not allow the listener to fully digest the song, until the final note ends. I was at first dismissive of this song as the track sounded as if it was mistakenly played at double-speed, but repeated listening has found this track to grow on me. The supporting track of 'The Danger of Rock and Roll', is surprising differently in that it is a bouncy punk number with strong reggae undertones. Vocalist Laila K’s chorus is fantastically catchy, and the song is both lyrically thought-provoking and engaging. The final track finds another change in tempo, and is laid back acoustic version of 'Floating Away'. Although this song could be criticised for being out of place, this slower track acts as an effective conclusion to the CD, and aptly demonstrates Sonic Boom Six’s broad scope. Overall, this is a fantastically diverse EP that nonetheless maintains a consistent flow despite the changes in structure. With this release, I am already anticipating Sonic Boom Six’s forthcoming album release.

Track Listing:-

1 Bcak 2 Skool (Radio Edit)
2 The Dangers Of Rock N Roll
3 Floating Away (Acoustic)