In the Fishtank [EP]

The Ex, Tortoise

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 1999)
• Original Release Date: May 18, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: In the Fishtank
• ASIN: B00000IN5X
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #167,420 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Even with the knowledge that the Ex has legs in the Dutch free improvising and avant-garde jazz scene, this collaboration with Chicago's Tortoise is an odd one. The Ex are customarily on the unmistakably political, musically spastic side of the fence, while Tortoise revels in complex rhythmic mazes that explore layered rhythms. So you can easily imagine a band as seemingly cerebral and measured as Tortoise getting tugged hard into noisy sloshing when in cahoots with a band like the Ex. And they do do considerable sloshing on this EP, though they always maintain a flooring that varies the rhythms and keeps the Ex grounded. The atmospherics are all Tortoise, with Jeff Parker's guitar making floats over the rumbling, ready-to-pounce bass and creeping drums. No, this isn't typical Ex material and, without a doubt, it's not Tortoise's main fare, but it's also not a far cry from either outfit. Part manic noise, part manic depth, part manic ambiance, it's an intense, demanding session. --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description
1999 CDEP recorded for the 'In The Fishtank' series, features the joint forces of Tortoise & The Ex creating six tracks of undeniable strangeness and charm. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, July 15, 1999

By A Customer

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars now what did you expect?, July 13, 1999

By A Customer

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.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars anything even associated with the Ex..., July 26, 2000

By	leon frot (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

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...