Mary Timony [ tickets ] is both blessed and cursed with a voice that strongly recalls several other sensational vocalists, including Bettie Serveert's Carol van Dyk and drama-queen Liz Phair.

That's pretty good company to keep, but those other voices chatter so distractingly loud at times that it can be hard to judge the former Helium singer on her own merits.

That's a shame, since "Ex Hex" is a strong album from start to finish. In fact, it might be the best thing Timony's done since Helium's 1995 full-length debut, "The Dirt of Luck."

"Ex Hex" is such a powerfully musical work that it's surprising to learn that it was created by just two people. Reversing the White Stripes' gender roles, Timony handles guitar and vocals while Devin Ocampo (from The Medications) plays drums.

Timony, one of the most entertaining guitarists in indie rock, absolutely steals her own show at times with her astonishingly versatile fret work. "On the Floor," which kicks off with bouncing-basketball-like percussion, absolutely drips with Jack White-style urgency. "Friend to JC" finds the six-stringer blowing a windmill of Pete Townshend-esque licks. But Timony's playing is most effective when she digs a little deeper, trading directness for mystery, such as on the alluring "Silence" and "In the Grass."