Out of Order : Lex Talionis

To read a full interview conducted by Patrice Belley with Out of Order, click here.

Origin story

My love for Out of Order has been going strong ever since they first came onto my radar, about 6 or 7 years ago. I can’t even remember. This band hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, will soon be blowing out their well-deserved 25 candles.

For the past few years, every time they put something out, Scott (Maracle) sends over their material and asks for my thoughts. This gesture really touches me, because it means my opinion matters. That said, if I don’t like an album, well, I’ll be blunt, and I won’t write about it.

With Out of Order, they’ve never disappointed me, so I blindly accepted Scott‘s request to review it, even though I haven’t really been doing it for a while now.

So there I am, sitting in my favorite café in Sainte-Thérèse, Les Allumées. As soon as I stepped foot into the café to order my black Americano, that fucking Christmas music was blasting my ears. Hey Mariah, get out of my fucking ears.

What perfect timing to pull out my headphones and open the precious file Scott sent a few days ago.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether you’ll like an album or not on a first listen. My first hint is literally a physical reaction: my body automatically responds to the sound with quick foot stomping and an urge to air drum on my laptop. Mission accomplished – that was all I needed to know I loved it.

Out of Order

Out of Order’s sound stayed true to what they’ve been since the very beginning, except that it has evolved – just like the band members themselves. The albums are similar in some ways, especially the most recent ones, not in a way that suggests a lack of creativity, but rather because it’s part of a nice continuity that shows the band has found a sound of their own.

Although I sometimes felt like their past albums sounded like this or that band, this one, Lex Talionis (law of retaliation), sounds like Out of Order. Period. In a band’s progression, that is something precious – it’s what allows them to stand out, carve out their own space, and ultimately survive over time. And now, it’s been almost 25 years.

The album

From the very first listen, I’m completely charmed. Lex Talionis is a treat: pure joy for the ears with an irresistible tempo that instantly makes you want to  »shake what your mama gave ya ». The LP flows through 12 solid tracks, each more impactful than the last. While the songs build into a cohesive whole, some really stand out.

One of Out of Order‘s traits is Scott‘s unique vocals: rusty, broken, raspy, almost gritty at times. A voice that delivers the songs with raw authenticity and fits perfectly with the band’s universe.

Musically, the band navigates between street punk, Oi, and punk’n’roll – a blend that has been their signature for a while now. Some tracks are fast and wild, others more melodic and warm, showcasing a band that masters both raw energy and catchy melodies.

As for the themes, Out of Order delivers lyrics that address grounded human realities: honest emotions, moments of tension, personal reflections, and the survival instinct, part of their universe. Without being overly explicit, the songs convey a certain clarity, a unifying spirit, and a direct way of expressing what their daily lives look like or where their imagination takes them.

Here’s my top 3 tracks – the ones that stood out to me the most:

#4) No Certainty

#7) Facebreaker: for that irresistible riff

#) Tonight: softer, perfect for singing along, impossible not to join in on the chorus

My appreciation 

Lex Talionis is an album that hits the mark: energetic, solid and incredibly catchy. Out of Order showcases everything that makes them outstanding. A raw but controlled sound, unique vocals that leave its mark from the very first seconds, and a sequence of tracks that you can easily listen to from start to finish. Without pretension, yet with full of heart, the band delivers an authentic record. A vibrant album, perfectly crafted for fans of the genre who love both intensity and memorable melodies.

CD & streaming release on february 6th

Vinyl release on march 20th

Writing: Claudia Bo

Translation: Jess Peach