Rating: NNNN
Twenty-five years on, Dutch agit-punks the Ex are still way out in front of the pack, setting the pace for exciting improvisational guitar rock invention. The double-disc Turn is filled with the aggressive ensemble throwdowns we’ve come to expect, with volatile verbal blasts backed by full-bore group skronk played with a spirit that not even the studio presence of laughing boy Steve Albini could dampen. The usual themes of freedom, justice and dogs are explored, with brief detours to take apart Henry Kissinger and salute the lasting inspiration of Ethiopian free-jazz firebrand Getatchew Mekurya. We can only hope that the members of Sonic Youth and Wilco are taking notes.
