Customer Reviews

In the Fishtank 5

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

is worthy of 5 stars. I don't overwhemingly enjoy this album, but respect it nonetheless. I'd advise some of the other reviewers below to do a little more homework and understand what the Ex has meant to socio-political music over the last 20 years...not to mention their contribution in merging punk/jazz and improvisational styles and some of the most amazing polyrhythmic drumming and rhythms I have ever heard and/or seen.

Sad that this site only offers a few Ex recordings, when I myself have around 20. Please, to those who appreciate real music with a human message and performers who actually "practice what they preach", seek out the Ex and all of their side projects (Kletka Red, etc.). You won't regret it.

And please don't forget that Tortoise invited the Ex to join them for these sessions--they obviously understand what so many of us know...

No, you shouldn't expect anything like TNT, not with The Ex in the house. This collaboration works exceedingly well. You get Tortoise's little world of evocative sound and rhythm as a context for the avant punk bang of The Ex. Challenging yes, but fun and interesting. A great listen. Add to cart.

Yeah, what DID you expect? Well, I didn't exactly expect this, but i can't say I was disappointed or wanted my money back. No, this isn't 'Millions Now Living...' nor 'TNT' but it's cool. It might surprise you a bit more then you expected, but listen to it. Don't buy it without listening to it even if O'Rourke is your dad.

just evening things out...I've only heard one song from this, but I thought it was amazing...the two bands seemed to work surprising well on the aforementioned song in 11's, where during the quiet parts you could hear Tortoise's bleeps, but during the loud spazzy parts The Ex took over, but not too obnoxiously at all...

First off, let me say that I am not the most hardcore Tortoise fan in the world, but have everything after TNT. Secondly, Tortoise live is a show you shouldn't miss. Thirdly, the beginning moments of this CD (except for the annoying guitar noise) sounded pretty decent. Imagine your surprise and horror when you skip ahead to track 2 and hear somebody singing off-key. Tortoise deserves better than to collaborate with a group that does nothing more than make noise and put in under a facade of 'avant-garde'. The Ex is not even in the same league musically. Save your money and buy 'Beacons of Ancestorship', or any other Tortoise CD, for that matter. If you've already made the mistake of buying this CD, all hope is not lost. You can use this CD as a coaster, or to make lemonade with.

A heavily indulgent partnership is barely formed with this unneeded Fishtank session. Tortoise-heads will likely feel sick from all the Ex's noise-slop deconstructionist approach, because nothing really gels between the two aside from fleeting textural curiosities.

This album is not good, avoid paying money this EP, unless you like The Ex, Dutch anarchists... or art rock......For those of you who are sophisticated, this is up your alley, pure sophistication, and no pleasure

I recently had the pleasure of letting award-winning poet Marie Howe listen to this album. She described it as the sublime and the shadow of the sublime working at the same time. Really abrasive, sonic rhythms from the Ex make for a nice combo with the tight, melodic orchestrations of Tortoise. An unthinkable collobartion with indescribable results.

This album is not good, avoid paying money this EP, unless you like The Ex, Dutch anarchists... or art rock......For those of you who are sophisticated, this is up your alley, pure sophistication, and no pleasure

I bought this cd thinking it would sound as good as the previous others, however, it seems that the ex feels the need to ruin great music with terrible vocals. Save your cash, treat yourself to dinner instead. Dissapointment, dissapointment.