The 1991 album *Scrabbling at the Lock* was a turning point for The Ex in many ways. It marked their first collaboration with New York improvisational artist Tom Cora, who played nearly 100 gigs with the band. It also significantly broadened their sonic palette, establishing them as a force that took their balance between creativity and intensity to a new level. Beyond being a creative milestone, the album also brought them a new audience, as they became one of the first punk bands to break into the world of improvised music, regularly appearing as guests at free music festivals across Europe. The follow-up album, "And The Weathermen Shrug Their Shoulders," released in 1993, continued this string of successes with another set of outstanding songs, combining fiery energy with boundless eclecticism and confident, improvisational joy. Artful punk, oriental and European folk inspirations, imaginative and passionate lyrics, and a knack for real-time creation blend seamlessly into a cocktail that is highly flammable and occasionally menacing, but also consistently adventurous and strikingly infectious. By this time, The Ex had become one of the most consistent, challenging, and forward-thinking bands of their generation.

And now, "And The Weathermen Shrug Their Shoulders" is finally available again on vinyl!