The Dutch collective known for their anarchist/punk-based, communal, and musical style mishmoshing tendencies blast out a powerful two-LP/CD set of all new material. Engineered once again by Steve Albini in Chicago, Turn could easily be the strongest album of the year. In the three years since their last full-length recording, Dizzy Spells, the Ex have kept busy touring places on this planet most people would be afraid to go, making a few ATP appearances, collaborating on more In the Fishtank recordings, and working in various combinations on other peoples records.
The message on Turn is loud (ear bleedingly loud) and clear. From the first minute, main vocalist GW Sok shouts about how the need for artists, scientists, and humanitarians is much more important than weapons of mass destruction and wars. (And I'm pretty sure that "The shrub who took himself for a park" is most likely mister "Bush" who mistakenly thinks he represents the world.) Each song is executed with a relentless pounding of guitars and drums and the messages are stories and reflections about greed and consumption, unrest, and even the Pie-in-the-face gang. It's a clear example that music which calls for social awareness and/or change is much more effective when made with such an unavoidable vigor and not by some timid hippie with acoustic guitar. The angular guitars, in-your-face drums, rock cello, and punk vocals are flawless, like a well-slicked machine, perfected through numerous live performances. After a surprising 25 years of existence, The Ex have no signs of becoming stale, tame, or rusty; challenging themselves to bring completely new ideas into the mix. One of my favorite songs is an aural souvenir from their travels to Ethiopia. "Huriyet," a powerful song about the liberation of the Erythreans, features drummer Katherina on the main vocals as most of the rest of the band clap and respond. Although I don't have a cheat-sheet to decode the lyrics, it is quite a moving experience, as the feeling is seemingly not about despair, but about the ability for people to overcome (from a remarkable place known for its Christian and Muslim populations living side by side in peace for centuries). The accompanying booklet includes lyrics and a bunch of great photos including pictures from Africa, animals, and, of course, a pie in the face. The Ex needs to be experienced and nobody has ever told me they were let down by their intense live show. For those who can't and missed the Eye special, it's highly recommended to go back and check it out agian.
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