These outsiders look inward

Eksi Ekso

I Am Your Bastard Wings (Magic Bullet)

ESSENTIAL "Wintering, The"

Eksi Ekso formed from the ashes of two promising Boston-based rock bands: On Fire and the Burning Paris. Like its peers in fellow Massachusetts band Caspian and Texan label mates This Will Destroy You, this sextet loves the emotional epic and favors a moody, engulfing sound. Unlike those two purist post-rock bands, Eksi Ekso - that catchy name comes from the phonetic pronunciation of the Greek words for the number six and outside: six outside - includes wonderful vocals from co-frontmen Tom Korkidis and Nate Shumaker. Guitars burn and soar, and subtle loops and samples sometimes add a trip-hop aura, but these sophisticated arrangements also include violin, viola, piano, synthesizer, oboe, trumpet, and flugelhorn. Contemplative and heavy, "Albatross" bears obvious comparison to Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Magnificent strings drive the haunting "O' God, They're Frozen," and in a lighter moment a trumpet plays a plaintive jazzy refrain, introducing the record's lead track, "Wintering, The" - a title that suggests this six-some doesn't choose a path well-trodden if there's a less obvious way to go. [Linda Laban]

Eksi Ekso performs at the Paradise Rock Club Saturday. Tickets are $14, $12 advance at livenation.com.