Customer Reviews

Head for the Door

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I still can't understand why The Exies aren't bigger.

I love their faux-raw sound.

Their melodies are catchy; most of the songs speed along at the perfect head-bobbing tempo. Lyrically they're not Shakespeare, but they're intelligent and sometimes clever.

"Slow Drain" is an inauspicious opener, but "Splinter" and "Ugly" are two terrific songs. The middle of the album is a bit weak and not as memorable (although I did enjoy finding out what "F.S.O.S." stands for). They save some great songs for the end, like "Normal" and "Don't Push The River."

I think if you had to buy your first Exies record, I'd get "Inertia"...I think the quality of the songs are higher, and the variety is a bit better. But notice I said "first", because you WILL get hooked.

Try and absorb the enthusiasm of some of the other reviewers, and you'll see what I mean...I for one will be buying every Exies record that comes out from now on...

The Good
"Slow Drain" starts things off with a fuzzy up and down riff and baseline. Stevens delivers a catchy and melodic chorus, while Walsh lays down a great wah-wah solo. The riff on "Splinter" is just as piercing and the songs theme of how someone can get under your skin. Stevens emotes a lot of anger vocally, but at the same time seems pleased with the pain he sings about. The albums first single "Ugly" has both clean guitar strums and driving distorted riffs clamoring for your attention. "Hey You" gives Dennis Wolfe his moment to shine on the drum heavy introduction. The subtle guitar work in the verse section eventually builds to thick riffing and powerful vocal release.

The lyrics of "Baptize Me" are full of those thought-provoking philosophical things that artist like to throw out there every once in a while. If you're not into deciphering the meaning of your music, it's a catchy rocker just the same. "F.S.O.S." (Fake Sense of Security) is loaded with meaty riffs and biting guitar licks. The only ballad on the album is the ironic "Tired of You". You may think it's about breaking-up, but you'll soon find it's the opposite.

The Bad
Whose idea was it to print the lyrics in a wave pattern on the CD sleeve?

The Verdict
You won't be heading for the door when you hear The Exies latest, you'll want to soak it all in. The group help breathe new life into the rock genre with unforgettable songs and addictive rock melodies.

I just saw The Exies open a show for Breaking Benjamin. I had no real knowledge of the band before the show, but was impressed enough by their set to grab "Head For The Door" at the merchandise table. I went into the club lobby and the band was there...and immediately thanked me for buying the disk and offered to sign it.

So I am already doubly impressed before I even pop the CD into the player. But then it was time to move on to the music itself! "Slow Drain" rips the CD broad open with a chugging baseline and instantly catchy riff, and "Head For The Door" rarely drops from that velocity. From the old-school grunge of "My Opinion" to the Velvet Revolver touches on "False Sense Of Security" that producer Nick Raskulinecz brought along to the studio (and that is a compliment), to the delightful, original "Ugly," The Exies rock hard.

The only slip is the obvious bid for video single-dom, "Tired Of You." It sounds so eager to please that its appearance sticks out like a sore thumb. It is, however, hard to begrudge the band their desire to climb to the success levels of Hoobastank and Three Doors Down. Just be sure to have your remote at the ready. But with "Head For The Door" and an energetic live show, The Exies will have them running. In, that is.

The Exies are awesome!! this cd is sick. if you watch the show The Mountain, you know they appeared on one episode and performed the song Ugly, which is my favorite song on this cd, its just frickin awesome. I had never heard of the Exies until i saw them on The Mountain and i bought the cd today cause it just came out now and i love it. The band has a lot of energy and they seem really amped and stoked all the time, which is a good thing. if you havent heard of them download Ugly and if you have heard even just one song you like from this album...go buy it now...it rocks!! ~hilarie*

I had heard "Ugly" a few times on Music Choice's rock channel, and thought it was pretty good. After buying "Head for the Door", I found out that "Ugly" was just one of a dozen great hard rock songs. Scott Stevens has an intense and raspy delivery that really suits these songs. "Head for the Door" is consistently harder and edgier than their previous effort, "Inertia". There's not a song on here that I skip, which is something for me, since I'm usually picky. My personal favorites are "Splinter", "Ugly", "What You Deserve", "Baptize Me", "My Opinion, "Dear Enemy", and "Tired of You". I realize that's over half the album, but that's how good the Exies are. I will say "Tired of You" sticks out a bit, as it's the only ballad-like song, but the strength of it makes up for the seeming-misplacement of it. The Exies are aiming for a follow-up album to hit shelves in September. Pick this up!

I saw the Exies open for the Crue in Toronto in August. Although I dont think the album does them justice, they rock live, the album still kicks my a**. Well worth a listen. If your here because you heard ugly, beleive me the rest of the album is just as good or better.

I personally think this CD is better than the Exies last. It has more of a harder feel to it. Every song on this album is great. I definatly didnt waste my money buying this CD.

When I first bought the record "head for the door" I thought it was okay; but when you sat down and actually listned to the songs and the lyrics they rock like nobodys buisness. I went to their concert at Charlotte during the month of Febuary 2005 and before they played on stage I had them sign my album because they were just chillin off stage signing and selling stuff. It was sweet. This album rocks till your ears pop. I recomend this album "for those about to rock."

I also saw The Exies live, and LOVED the show. There was hardly anyone there, but that just made it better to see them! The show was awesome, they were unmistakably the best act of the night, and I was first in line when they came back to sell their stuff, and immediately got a cd and got it signed. They were awesome people! As would be expected, the cd doesn't have the same energy as they do live, but it's still a great cd. Slow Drain really gets the cd off to a good start. Though Ugly has been nearly overplayed on the radio station I listen to all the time, it isn't annoying to hear it over again on the cd with all the other songs. It seems like it would make a good soundtrack for something, though I don't know quite what.

I actually saw these guys live, in a small club venue before I ever knew who they were. I must say that their live show is most impressive...energetic, loud, charismatic, much better than the glossier performance of the album.
But still couldn't help buying a cd at the show...and I love it. There are definite and obvious influences from Nirvana, and the presence of Foo Fighters and Velvet Revolver producer Nick Raskulinecz is palpable...no mistaking it.
Not every song is up to par but for the most part it's worth the purchase...an easy to listen to Rock album.
Side note: The members of The Exies are exceptionally nice and friendly in person, mingling and drinking with fans, signing everything placed in front of them, and even manning their own merch booth after the show. I found this impressive and endearing, no inflated sense of celebrity here.