Search - Mary Timony :: Ex Hex

The same, yet different

Dave Wininger | Lynn, MA USA | 04/26/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This time out Ms. Timony goes ultra-lo-fi. My wife actually asked me if the album had been recorded in a garage upon hearing it. But ultra-lo-fi isn't so bad, the balance in the production was still sharp and it comes off as a more controlled live performance. This time she also abandoned the fantasy creatures for the most part, but subbed, ahem, Jesus Christ. I'm not sure if Ms. Timony found religion, but J-Diddy gets dropped in a song title and a chorus of an additional song. And not one mention of a peacock OR an ocelot. Very atypical.



In the personnel and instrumentation department, nothing against former drummer Christina Files, but the work of Mr. Ocampo this time around does provide more texture and energy than provided by past album work. This ultimately plays a lot more like a rock record than Timony's prior solo output. The keybaord takes a back burner to guitar and missing is the cello that played so prominent a role on The Golden Dove.



That all being said (if it wasn't clear, I miss the cello and the keyboard), this is still a fairly solid album. I will perhaps regret lowballing it at 3 stars, but every review always seems to go for the five, so I'll be passing on that. Timony albums in general take several listens to be truly appreciated and my use of this album would still be best described in to be in its infancy. There was no "grab you immediately" song such as The Golden Dove's "Dr. Cat" or Mountains' "I Fire Myself", but there were definitely standout moments. The keyboard canoodling of "In the Grass", the guitarwork of "Harmony", and, dare I say it, the lyrical stylings of "Silence" all stand out fairly quickly.



But for the uninitiated, this is Mary Timony. She still doesn't always hit the notes likely intended, and often comes off as disaffected or makes odd lyrical choices . However, it has been rewarding in the past to overlook those shortcomings and this album is no exception. Even if the ocelots feel a bit slighted at this time. Poor little guys."

Super Rad- On Record and LIVE!!

Spenser Russell-Snyder | Oakland, CA | 07/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Record has swirling guitar lines, fantastic drumming and Mary's great lyrics all in a tasty Progressive-Indie-Rock Cookie! MMMM Scrumptious!"

Mary Timony is STILL THE BEST

Dividingcanaan | 04/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I never come on here to write reviews but it's already been 3 days since the album came out and I'm surprised nobody has written anything yet. I love Mary Timony when she's in Helium and solo. It's fairly rare lately to find the combination of an expert lyricist, vocalist, songwriter, and musician. Every aspect of her songwriting and execution is brilliant. This CD is loud, hopnotic, distorted, and beautiful. I hope people give it a good chance because, like most other Mary Timony music, it really takes a good 5-10 listens before it begins to reveal itself. When you begin to understand it it's extremely rewarding. So if you like sexy, creepy layered vocals, awesome drums, and creative guitar work, BUY EX HEX. It's Entrancing."