Artist: The Exies

Album: “A Modern Way of Living with the Truth”

Label: Eleven Seven

Released: May 8, 2007

Availability: CD, iTunes

After nearly three years, The Exies are back with their new album, “A Modern Way of Living with the Truth.” The Exies are continuing their hard rock, post-grunge sound that started with their previous album, “Head for the Door.” A reflection of their changing sound and vision is that the Exies left the giant label Virgin Records for the much smaller Eleven Seven Music. This album is a great blend of the bands thoughtful – but painful – lyrics, Scott Stevens’ diverse vocal style and Chris Skane’s fitting guitar riffs.

The album offers songs for any type of rock fan. Songs such as “Different Than You,” “These Are the Days” and “This Is the Sound” are straightforward rock songs for any rocker to enjoy. The more sensitive and softer songs include “Leaving Song” and “Once in a Lifetime” (a Talking Heads cover), while the wilder, more hardcore songs include “Fear of Being Alone,” “Lay Your Money Down” and “Dose.”

The Exies have begun to show they are one of the better up-and-coming hard rock acts. “A Modern Way of Living with the Truth” has great guitar hooks and outstanding lyrics. If your tastes are between rock and metal, I would certainly go online and give the album a listen. Exies fans will be pleased and rock fans will enjoy this, but it would be a hard transition from other genres of music.