Album Notes

xrayok's debut album, Reflex, to be released in Spring 2005, is a lush blend of rock, pop and electronica. On the surface, Reflex might come off as a mix of up-tempo catchy songs with that overall "feel good" attitude. However, Wedelving deeper into the haunting melodies and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, one discovers that there is definitely something else going on here. With the first single, "Happy Ever After", a real intensity builds with an onslaught of up-tempo grooves over spacey keyboards meeting raunchy, mood driven guitars. In "Uh-huh", a crescendo of guitars and distorted keys set against crashing drums builds into a glorious pop song, both heavy and dreamy in tone. This album is an excellent example of a group daring and yet skilled enough to explore different styles.

If genres mean anything, one might describe xrayok's sound as indie brit-rock with influences ranging from bands as disparate as Nirvana to Sigur Ros, from the Pixies to Kent, Radiohead & the Smashing Pumpkins. But xrayok doesn't sound like any of them in particular, theirs is a unique style embracing rock/pop structures with intricate rhythms, textured synths and stellar songwriting.

The musical evolution of the band began when TJ Hill (vocals, guitar), started xrayok in NY as a solo project. It was not until he and Montreal native, Ally Smith (keyboards, laptop), relocated to Phoenix and hooked up with Chuckie Duff (bass) and Jack Duff (drums, piano) that xrayok became a musical force in the Phoenix music scene. Michael Hartman, formerly of Kimota, has since replaced Chuckie on bass.

xrayok is rapidly gaining recognition in the Phoenix music scene having played such venues as Plush, The Mason Jar, Modified Arts, Hollywood Alley, Long Wong's, Big Fish Pub, Undici Undici and Chasers, and recently opened for Sloan on their recent visit to Phoenix. xrayok has been a favorite on indieradio.com and listed as one of Charles Provenchers' (founder of indieshop.org), favorite unsigned bands. In the fall, xrayok will be performing at the BAM music festival in Tucson and will be on the Chick Rock Fest Tour. xrayok has recently been getting rotation on The Edge 103.9 in Phoenix and are working with Planetary Group to promote Reflex on college radio.