It's Real
General
| Mar 2019
Reviews
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.
Recent airplay
Tough Enough
down in the basement — Jan 11, 2024
Tough Enough
The Library (rebroadcast from May 29, 2019) — Jun 27, 2021
Diamond Drive
Magnetized Toner: Best of 2019 - Conclusion + New Music! — Jan 28, 2020
Tough Enough
The Library — Jun 05, 2019
Tough Enough
The Library — May 29, 2019
Diamond Drive
Magnetized Toner — May 28, 2019
Charting
2019-04-02 — 2019-06-04
| Week Ending | Airplays |
|---|---|
| Jun 2 | 2 |
| May 26 | 2 |
| May 19 | 3 |
| May 12 | 1 |
| May 5 | 1 |
| Apr 28 | 2 |
| Apr 21 | 4 |
| Apr 14 | 1 |
Track listing
| 1. | Tough Enough | ||
| 2. | Rainbow Shiner | ||
| 3. | Good Times | ||
| 4. | Want It To Be True | ||
| 5. | Diamond Drive | ||
| 6. | No Reflection | ||
| 7. | Another Dimension | ||
| 8. | Cosmic Cave | ||
| 9. | Radiate | ||
| 10. | Talk To Me |