Hexes for Exes is the second full-length album by West Coast indie rockers Moving Units. This four-piece formed in 2001 after their previous band, Festival of Dead Dear, broke up.
A blend between British pop/punk and West Coast indie, Hexes for Exes sounds as if it could be on The O.C. British soundtrack. The first track, "Pink Thoughts," hits listeners with the techno beat present in many songs throughout the record. Then, on the next track, "Crash 'n' Burn Victims," the synthesizer comes out in full force. This ever-present synthesizer nicely complements the music.
The best example of Hexes for Exes' blend of electronic beats and pop/punk riffs is "Nail It to the Cross," which starts with guitar, than the pounding drums come in and give the song that equilibrium between punk and techno. Every time a song ends, listeners are guessing how the next song will feel, keeping them hooked throughout the album.
Hexes for Exes is not only bearable to listen to all at once, but listening to it in one sitting actually makes the album more enjoyable. One weakness of Hexes for Exes, however, is that at times the vocals are hard to understand- they tend to get drowned out by the music. But overall, whether listeners are into punk, indie, or techno, the latest from the Moving Units is a good album. ()
