Ex Hex / It's Real
| Album: | It's Real | Collection: | General | |
| Artist: | Ex Hex | Added: | Mar 2019 | |
| Label: | Merge Records | |||
A-File Activity
| Add Date: | 2019-04-02 | Pull Date: | 2019-06-04 |
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| Week Ending: | Jun 2 | May 26 | May 19 | May 12 | May 5 | Apr 28 | Apr 21 | Apr 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airplays: | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
Recent Airplay
| 1. | Jan 11, 2024: | down in the basement
Tough Enough |
4. | Jun 05, 2019: | The Library
Tough Enough |
|
| 2. | Jun 27, 2021: | The Library (rebroadcast from May 29, 2019)
Tough Enough |
5. | May 29, 2019: | The Library
Tough Enough |
|
| 3. | Jan 28, 2020: | Magnetized Toner: Best of 2019 - Conclusion + New Music!
Diamond Drive |
6. | May 28, 2019: | Magnetized Toner
Diamond Drive |
Album Review
Telepathic Juan
Reviewed 2019-04-02
Reviewed 2019-04-02
It’s Real is the second album from Washington, DC trio Ex Hex. On It’s Real, Mary Timony’s trio continues constructing a fascinating 1970s inspired power pop sound, only this time with slicker guitar work, more arresting vocal melodies, and a cool rock n’ roll swagger punch. Play it loud!!
Something else from the press release:
When Ex Hex exploded onto the scene with their unfettered brand of rock and riffage, the power trio for our generation had finally arrived. Made up of Mary Timony (guitar, vocals), Betsy Wright (bass, vocals), and Laura Harris (drums), the group’s 2014 debut Rips was a gleaming collection of tightly wound gems.
On It’s Real, the group’ second album, Ex Hex’s commitment to larger-than-life riffs and unforgettable hooks remains intact, but the garage-y, post-punk approach that defined Rips has grown in scale and ambition. What started as a reaction to the blown-out aesthetic of Rips would test the sonic limits of the power trio and lead the band on a quest for a more immersive and three-dimensional sound.
RIYL: Suzi Quatro, Cheap Trick, The Runaways, Buzzcocks and The Cars.
FCC CLEAN!
Recommended Tracks: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
1. (4:38) ***Tough Enough – Medium tempo. The late 1970s post glam sound is back with a vengeance. Killer piece.
2. (3:35) *Rainbow Shiner – Medium-up tempo. Almost heavy metal. Nice guitar riff. Sweet vocals.
3. (2:54) **Good Times – Medium-up tempo. Power pop all the way. Fine vocal melody. Let the good times roll.
4. (5:14) Want It to Be True – Medium tempo. Power pop ballad. Cheap Trick would be proud.
5. (3:42) ***Diamond Drive – Medium-up tempo. Solid guitars, catchy melody, great rock n’ roll vibe. One of my favorite tracks on the record.
6. (3:29) *No Reflection – Medium tempo. Impressive power pop ballad. The Cars would be proud.
7. (5:31) **Another Dimension – Heavy metal pop? Campy but catchy. Impressive.
8. (3:00) *Cosmic Cave – Medium-up tempo. Fast power pop a la Buzzcocks. Melodic and urgent.
9. (3:53) **Radiate – Medium-up tempo. Energetic and magnetic. Epic guitar riff. I love the vocals.
10. (3:16) Talk to Me – Slow tempo. Solid guitars and vocals. Impressive album closer.
Something else from the press release:
When Ex Hex exploded onto the scene with their unfettered brand of rock and riffage, the power trio for our generation had finally arrived. Made up of Mary Timony (guitar, vocals), Betsy Wright (bass, vocals), and Laura Harris (drums), the group’s 2014 debut Rips was a gleaming collection of tightly wound gems.
On It’s Real, the group’ second album, Ex Hex’s commitment to larger-than-life riffs and unforgettable hooks remains intact, but the garage-y, post-punk approach that defined Rips has grown in scale and ambition. What started as a reaction to the blown-out aesthetic of Rips would test the sonic limits of the power trio and lead the band on a quest for a more immersive and three-dimensional sound.
RIYL: Suzi Quatro, Cheap Trick, The Runaways, Buzzcocks and The Cars.
FCC CLEAN!
Recommended Tracks: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
1. (4:38) ***Tough Enough – Medium tempo. The late 1970s post glam sound is back with a vengeance. Killer piece.
2. (3:35) *Rainbow Shiner – Medium-up tempo. Almost heavy metal. Nice guitar riff. Sweet vocals.
3. (2:54) **Good Times – Medium-up tempo. Power pop all the way. Fine vocal melody. Let the good times roll.
4. (5:14) Want It to Be True – Medium tempo. Power pop ballad. Cheap Trick would be proud.
5. (3:42) ***Diamond Drive – Medium-up tempo. Solid guitars, catchy melody, great rock n’ roll vibe. One of my favorite tracks on the record.
6. (3:29) *No Reflection – Medium tempo. Impressive power pop ballad. The Cars would be proud.
7. (5:31) **Another Dimension – Heavy metal pop? Campy but catchy. Impressive.
8. (3:00) *Cosmic Cave – Medium-up tempo. Fast power pop a la Buzzcocks. Melodic and urgent.
9. (3:53) **Radiate – Medium-up tempo. Energetic and magnetic. Epic guitar riff. I love the vocals.
10. (3:16) Talk to Me – Slow tempo. Solid guitars and vocals. Impressive album closer.
Track Listing
| 1. | Tough Enough | 6. | No Reflection | |||
| 2. | Rainbow Shiner | 7. | Another Dimension | |||
| 3. | Good Times | 8. | Cosmic Cave | |||
| 4. | Want It To Be True | 9. | Radiate | |||
| 5. | Diamond Drive | 10. | Talk To Me |