New York City, the northeast, and much of North America is currently freezing under Arctic chill, but the Big Apple’s Ex Cops come with some sunnier sounds. The fuzzy shine throughout True Hallucinations wasn’t completely original when The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (QRO live review) did it by channeling eighties John Hughes flicks, but it is still quite enjoyable.
After the darker near-instrumental “S&Hsxx (Intro)” opener, True Hallucinations sticks to the upside of things, shining brightly and warmly. In addition to the neo-eighties attitude there’s also neo-fifties ditties amid fuzz from any decade, on pieces like “Ken” and “James”. There is some variation – “Separator” is more relaxed, “Jazz & Information” more pop, “The Millionaire” sadder & softer, and the following “Billy Pressly” a speedier up-tempo gallop.
Like many sunnier sounding acts, Ex Cops aren’t a revelation or game-changer, and their fuzz charms a little less as True Hallucinations goes on. But it’s still a charming, warm album in these cold, cold times.
Ex Cops – James
