Alex Rex: Paradise

Singing drummers may now be in vogue, but very few combine the masterful musicianship, vivid lyrics and expressive vocals one experiences with Alex Rex. In fact, few musicians have a CV as impressive as band leader Alex Neilson. He's drummed with some of the most eclectic musicians of the international underground; from Bonnie "Prince" Billy to Shirley Collins, Jandek and Current 93. All on top of a 10-year stint with his own critically acclaimed psych-folk outfit, Trembling Bells. Paradise is his fourth album as Alex Rex. Whilst the first three were shrouded in loss and loathing, Paradise is a different beast. In many ways Paradise marks a fresh start for the Glasgow-based polymath. Reunited with ex-Trembling Bells vocalist Lavinia Blackwall for the first time since the band's demise - Marco Rea (Euros Childs) and regular collaborator Rory Haye make up the rest of the Paradise party, with guest vocalist Kacy Lee Anderson (Kacy & Clayton) blowing a seductive smoke-ring through one track. Paradise introduces us to a new and uncharacteristically playful side of Alex Rex. Many of the songs on Paradise were written in early lockdown with no opportunity to rehearse, which also happens to be Neilson's preferred method. The Celtic rock guitar stylings of 'Scandalise The Birds' could have roused a Glasgow Barrowlands full of lumberjack-shirted true believers back in the Big Music days of Stuart Adamson or Mike Scott; 'What's Shouted In The Dark (The Dark Shouts Back)' echoes both Nick Cave and Nick Lowe in an ouroboros of punk rock preacher gospel blues; 'Ida' threatens to loosen it's loons and fly into a glitterball glam rock stomp at any moment; and 'Every Wall Is A Wailing Wall' sends us home with a comforting community chorale. Standout duet 'Black Peonies' is bubble-gum country in the tradition of the Flying Burrito Brothers and the Grateful Dead. It contains one of Neilson's more eye-popping opening lines; "I wear the knickers you gave me when I play football with the boys". Vocal duties are shared with Kacy Lee Anderson in a sultry romp that dissolves into Rory Haye's acid guitar coda. Neilson can navigate the kosmische orbits of Richard Youngs, find the free music floating in Alasdair Roberts' traditionally styled songs, and conjure a stadium-sized folk-rock band that never was in the shape of Trembling Bells. But Paradise reminds us that he is also a master-of-composition in the classic sense, an astounding lyricist and a kick ass drummer. Alex Rex are in the anxiety business... and business is booming.

1. LowLife
2. The Dark Inside The Shadow
3. Scandalise The Birds
4. Dancing Flame
5. What’s Shouted In The Dark (The Dark Shouts Back)
6. The Great Experiment
7. I Remember
8. Funeral Bouquet
9. Ida
10. Black Peonies
11. Silver Apples Of The Moon
12. Man Is A Villain
13. Every Wall Is A Wailing Wall

Shipping is available to the 48 contiguous United States. We are unable to ship to PO Boxes, International locations, or APO/FPO addresses. 

Please ensure your address is entered correctly. We are unable to redirect to an alternate shipping address once an order is placed.If your order contains multiple items, it may ship from different warehouse locations.

Tracking information will be sent as items are shipped.

Allow up to 5 business days for your order to process when calculating delivery dates. 

Note: Additional delays may occur due to severe weather or other carrier delays. 

Standard Shipping: allow 7-10 business days for delivery. Albums will be shipped via USPS Media Mail; all other products via UPS Ground or FedEx Ground.

Expedited Shipping: allow 2-5 business days for delivery. Albums will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail; all other products via UPS 2-Day Air or FedEx 2-Day Air.

Overnight Shipping: allow 1-2 business days for delivery. All products will be shipped via UPS Next Day Air or FedEx Next Day Air. 

We offer a 30-day money back guarantee on all products purchased from Victrola.com. All items must be returned as new in their original packaging, including all accessories and cables. Albums must be unopened to receive a refund. Missing items will be charged based on suggested retail prices.

All returns must be accompanied by a valid return authorization number (RMA) issued by Victrola. If an RMA is not obtained prior to shipping, the returned product will be refused and returned to sender.

If the item is no longer wanted, the shipping cost is not refundable and returns must be shipped prepaid by the customer. There is a 15% restocking fee that will be calculated based on the price of the product once the item is refunded.

If the item is defective, a pre-paid shipping label to return the product will be provided, and no restocking fee applies.

To set up a return for refund please visit Customer Care. Be sure to include your order # and reason for your return when submitting your request.

View more information about returns and warranty here.