Gold Coast rock group Soulframe first clocked in on the musical radar back in early 2001 with 'Sojourn', a promising debut that, given the right production team and a few more years experience under their belts, could one day see the quartet get the recognition that matched their musical abilities.

Three years have passed and the band now offers up a much bigger sounding record in 'Escaping Entropy'. Initial props must go to Rob Feaster (Travis Tritt, Duke Robillard) behind the desk for helping to harness the sound the guys had envisioned. Gone are any notions of upbeat pop that they dabbled in on the first record (and which were Sojourn's weaker points), and in its place is a slick rock sound with a slightly dark undertone. Remaining though, are the group's forte of positive uplifting lyrics and the odd smattering of tender balladry.

The group are also sounding like a tighter unit. Guitarist Scott Smith, has found another edge to his craft and with the tougher sound on the record, it allows him a few more solos to sink his teeth into. 'Thread' in particular is all Smith. The engine room of drummer Zane Carey and bassist Hayden Whitworth also seem to relish the more open sound scape on offer. The driving rhythm laid down on a song like 'Loved' is just made for radio play. Potential single anyone?

But their problem isn't lack of singles, it's which songs to choose from because near half the record is ripe for the airwaves. First cut 'Tonight' was the obvious choice with its stratospheric chorus, aided and abetted by vocalist Guy 'Mutto' Mutton and his golden set of pipes. The genuine passion in his voice gives the quieter songs on the album a bit more credibility then some of their colleagues already in the game. The David
Grey-esque 'Beautiful', a warm tune about being yourself, has Mutto telling the subject, "You wanted to show your heart in this, and it's beautiful."

Other ballads like the cool groove of 'Pessimism' and penultimate track 'Needed To Know' help lend the record a nice sense of balance. 'Need to Know' in particular could be their strongest shot at the big time.

Escaping Entropy is thankfully anything but sophomore blues. It's a well-rounded album that goes hand in hand with Soulframe's clear intent to break on through.

For more information on Soulframe, check out: www.soulframe.com