Top tracks — play these first
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Frenzy Start here — This opening track encapsulates the album's raw energy with its rapid-fire instrumentation and urgent vocal delivery, setting the tone for what follows.
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Let's Panic Later — The song’s intricate guitar work and shifting tempos highlight The Ex's signature art rock style, blending chaos with moments of melodic clarity.
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Bee Coz — With its infectious hooks and playful lyrics, this track serves as an example of the band's ability to merge fun with thought-provoking themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases inventive structures and energetic performances, marking it as a distinctive entry in art rock.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter tracks.
- Several songs feature abrupt tempo changes and unconventional song structures, creating a sense of unpredictability.
- The lyrics are politically charged and often delivered in a spoken word style, contrasting with the frenetic instrumentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady progression through chaos
- unconventional song structures explore
- focused listening in order
- frantic energy with reflective moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song formats
- seek immediate gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — This album showcases The Ex's innovative sound and solidifies their influence in post-punk.
- Career context
- In 1998, The Ex was solidifying its reputation as a pioneering force in the Dutch music scene with 'Starters Alternators'. This album followed their 1993 release 'Rubber Room', showcasing their evolution towards more experimental structures while retaining their political edge.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Shellac· The Flying Lizards· Don Caballero
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I.O.U. (Nought)
The narrative voice shifts from collective to individual reflection, creating a stark contrast that emphasizes personal responsibility amidst societal chaos.
This shift deepens the emotional impact by grounding broader societal critiques in personal experience, enhancing the song's thematic complexity.
Tracklist
- 1 Frenzy Start here 5:00
- 2 Let's Panic Later 5:45
- 3 I.O.U. (Nought) 5:02
- 4 Art of Losing 5:28
- 5 It's a Sin 4:22
- 6 Two Struck by the Moon 3:44
- 7 Mother 4:01
- 8 Bee Coz 4:48
- 9 Lump Sum Insomnia 6:27
- 10 Wildebeest 4:19
- 11 Nem Úgy Van Most 4:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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