Search - Ex :: 1936: The Spanish Revolution

Words and guitar.

C. Burkhalter | 10/16/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here the Ex completely steps over the line in punk sandbox dividing form and content. "1936: The Spanish Revolution" couples 4 songs with a book (roughly 100 pages long) documenting the CNT-FAI's short-lived success at large-scale anarchy in Spain in the 1930s. Most of the book is comprised of b&w photographs. In the book's afterword the Ex explain, "We want to show what the Spanish anarchists were doing in 1936 in Spain. And is there a better way than through pictures made by the CNT-FAI themselves? Pictures of what *they* thought was important." There's also a fair chunk of accompanying text, in both English and Spanish (!), most of which is history-book style listings of facts, dates, timelines, etc. But the small size of the book limits its ability to be a terribly thorough survey of the topic. The Ex are quick to point this out themselves, and are very open about their lack of interest in impartial journalism here. "The collection is incomplete.... Neither chronological nor objective, but one-sided, partial and subjective." All the same, its pretty useful for someone (like me) who doesn't know much about the Spanish Civil War. And for doubters, a very handy bibliography (always a must) points readers to other useful texts for further reading.Held in cute little pockets inside the books front and back covers are two 3" CDs. (Originally this was released with two 7" records, but I don't think that version is available any longer.) There are two songs on each CD, all of them punk reworkings of Spanish anarchist fight songs (kind of a kindred spirit to the amazing Liberation Music Orchesra CD). The standout track from the foursome would have to be "They Shall Not Pass" (a far superior recording to the version found on the "Too Many Cowboys" album). Its a perfect Ex gem, easily one of their best songs. By the time the song's over and the band's shouting "For no one is a slave" over and again, you may find yourself pumping fists and snarling like that creepy kid at the bus stop who's always listening to Limp Bizkit on his headphones.This book-CD combo was a clear labor of love for the Ex, and that compassion really charges the material. Its kind of a shame more bands don't do this kind of thing. And it would be fantastic to see the Ex do something like this again in the future."