Rips
by Ex Hex
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Oct 7, 2014
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. The Guardian
    Oct 9, 2014
    100
    Here are 12 succinct, speedy, riff-happy gems smothered in snarling backtalk and shameless, glorious guitar solos.
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    Oct 13, 2014
    90
    Rips is a reminder of rock’s glorious communal potential.
  3. Exclaim
    Oct 7, 2014
    90
    The reason why Ex Hex Rips is so triumphant is that it easily attains its simple goal of presenting a total blast for the listener to savour. Or to take the title's bait, Ex Hex Rips rips.
  5. Pitchfork
    Oct 10, 2014
    84
    Rips mostly finds the band walking away from Timony's established voice and pushing toward something more direct and energetic--embracing the past, but also blowing things up and starting again.
  6. Mojo
    Nov 6, 2014
    80
    Audacious, hook-packed debut. [Nov 2014, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. The New York Times
    Nov 3, 2014
    80
    Rips is a feel-good gut-punch of a debut album, working a sound that dates back to the Runaways, but also can hold its own right up against current practitioners like Dum Dum Girls.
  8. The Quietus
    Oct 19, 2014
    80
    This is an album totally devoid of filler and maxed out with instantly memorable hooks, melodies and riffs that will move into your head and take up residence for quite some time to come.
  9. AllMusic
    Oct 17, 2014
    80
    Rips mixes simple pleasures and complicated ones into a completely life-affirming debut.
  10. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 10, 2014
    80
    It’s hard to overstate the extent to which the excellence of this record is sealed by Timony’s bullish approach to sonic economy; there are no flourishes, no accentuations on Rips, only precisely what needs to be there; noodling guitar parts and an unyielding punk aesthetic.
  11. PopMatters
    Oct 10, 2014
    80
    Rips actually ends up adding to her reputation precisely because she performs like she’s got nothing left to prove or lose with it.
  12. Dusted Magazine
    Oct 8, 2014
    80
    Guitar solos are fiery but brief and tethered to the main melodic ideas. Everything has been brightened, amplified and streamlined for immediate appreciation.
  13. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 8, 2014
    80
    Rips is that album; there’s nary an ounce of artiness or innovation here, and it sounds almost hopelessly out of time in 2014, yet you can’t help but grin and love it just the same.
  14. Uncut
    Oct 7, 2014
    80
    [An] excellent debut album. [Nov 2014, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  15. The 405
    Oct 14, 2014
    75
    All that's left are tightly compacted songs that may not have a reflective gloss to them, but instead light their own way.
  16. Rolling Stone
    Oct 15, 2014
    70
    Her new band's no-frills approach incorporates doo-wop melodies and Joan Jett anthemics without ever being cutesy or overthought. Clearly, she's no novice at heartache.
  17. Paste Magazine
    Oct 7, 2014
    70
    It’s a slim volume to add to the Timony collection--never ambitious but absolutely fun, a record from three women who feel comfortable with each other and just want to play loud.
  18. Consequence
    Oct 7, 2014
    67
    In interviews, Timony has said that she wanted to make “relaxed and fun” music, and in that regard Rips hits the mark.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best Album of 2014

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
  1. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 4, 2022
    7
    Really exciting stuff. Definitely head bashing rock. They change the rock game.
See all user reviews »