The Exies - A Modern Way Of Living With The Truth

Eleven Seven Music


5 out of 5 stars

I had the pleasure of discovering The Exies via their self-titled release on Ultimatum back in 2000. Fast forward seven years and the band has made remarkable strides in both popularity and songwriting. The L.A. based band’s latest album, A Modern Way of Living with the Truth, hits stores May 8. I am happy to inform readers and fans that truth is this: full of furious hard rock riffs, catchy choruses, well-crafted lyrics and ballads for the modern age, The Exies have put the forth their strongest and most cohesive effort to date.

Their previous albums have all began with booming guitar riffs of thick driving distortion and rich low end. This time around, the band breaks from tradition and opens with “The Leaving Song,” a short but sweet acoustic gem. A single guitar strums while lead vocalist Scott Stevens’ raspy voice begs the listener to “Come down with me.” A few seconds after its conclusion, the album begins to take shape.

After a brief guitar intro and rhythm section build-up courtesy of guitarist Chris Skane, bassist Freddy Herrera and drummer Hoss, “Lay Your Money Down,” rips into the listener’s ear like a buzz saw. “This is not necessary,” screams Stevens in guttural style reminiscent of Kurt Cobain. The band charges forward and layers rich power chords upon a mad mix of drum fills in what is one of the heavier rock songs in The Exies’ catalogue. 

Likewise, “Fear of Being Alone,” “Different Than You,” “These are the Days” and “Dose” are powerful, upbeat tunes that deserve to be played loudly.  “Fear of Being Alone” brings to mind fellow modern rockers Breaking Benjamin. Its mid tempo verse pushes forward quietly. The pre-chorus music is serene and pretty, but gives way to an explosive chorus.  Set to lamenting lyrics like “I’m paralyzed underneath/surrender my serenity,” it is easily one of the album’s strongest tracks.

“Dose,” is my personal favorite track.  Similar to “Lay Your Money Down,” it begins with a solitary guitar that surrenders to the band’s thunderous charge through the verse, chorus, and, the best part, the bridge.  “Won’t get the best of me now/no, not again,” asserts Stevens as a heavy drum beat, accented by rapid bass drum hits, sounds away during what is one of The Exies’ finest moments.

The band slows things down with “Stray,” which commences with a simple, yet eerie piano melody. “Swore to never ever leave you,” sings Stevens. “I swore I’d never stray from you.” The band joins in and sets a murky guitar melody on top of steady drumming in this noteworthy ballad.

One of the most well known songs on the album, courtesy of its solid spot in The Exies’ My Space player, is the cover of Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime.” This rendition bears little resemblance to the happy 80’s romp. Instead, The Exies turn it into a powerful ballad. I’ve heard mixed reviews of the song, but it depends on how you like your cover songs: true to the original or the band’s own interpretation. Personally, I love it. Then again, on this album The Exies rarely fall short of spectacular.

Lyrically, A Modern Way of Living with the Truth seems a good mix of sweet and stinging, such as “There’s comfort in the way the world comes crashing in and every tear reminds me I’m alive tonight,” from “These are the Days” and “Now it’s my turn to hate like you always do/I’ll give you a taste/A dose of your own medicine” from “Dose.”

In the interest of time (yours and mine), I will stop here and implore all fans of The Exies, and rock n’ roll alike, to give this album a shot. With A Modern Way of Living with the Truth, The Exies have put together a five-star collection of hard rock tunes and created a musical truth that I can easily live with.

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Reviewed by: Ryan Labbe | April 2007

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