Customer Reviews

Tortoise

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Why did Calvin Klein have to use my favorite Tortoise song, "Tin Cans & Twine" to promote their new fragrance line? Damn thier black hearts! I can't possibly blame Tortoise, whose record label is so small, they probably sold the rights off for a chicken dinner. I suppose I was so sensitive because this cd was like my own private clubhouse, (MINE!) untouched by the rows of Spice Girls and Hanson in the stores. Beyond this rambling, Tortoise is a finely crafted work, a true exploration of sound. An extravaganza of ideas, some merely implied, others flying in all directions. Joyous, austere, and caustic all at the same time. No vocals to interrupt the groove. A total yumyum cd.

So the joke goes...."Jazz!!!...Is God's way of saying, that a Musician has become too proficient with their instrument". You can take a little grain of truth from that joke, in the fact that Jazz musicians (depending on the type of Jazz), can occasionally be considered a little scholarly & Precise in their studious composition. "Tortoise" are (in theory) a studious instrumental indie band, consisting of members that have previously excelled in other bands, and have come together to form a 'Indie Supergroup' (of sorts). Consisting of multi-instrumentalists: Dan Bitney, John Herdon, Douglas McCombes & Bundy K. Brown, and centre around linchpin (and drummer) John McEntire.

Their Music is primarily a combination of softly performed 'Experimental-Rock', "Indie Rock" & "Post-Rock", that manages to reference their influences of: Krautrock, dub, avant-garde jazz, classical minimalism, ambient and space music, film music & electroncia. The sound is one of music that is a reflective and cerebral blend of meditative instrumentals that does touch upon elements of their musical influences. that although to some degree are rooted in jazz structures, have a free-from almost semi-improvised jamming feel to it. The subtle use of percussion, basses, and occasional electronics are all skillfully interwoven into their tracks and create a sort of wistfully detached musical atmosphere. And although electronic sampling and manipulation at various points through their tracks is evident, it's the intertwining guitar motifs that are their strongest assets. And this is where that Jazz reference most clearly rears its head. Not in that it Jazz music, but more that it that the sensibilities of Jazz (Texturing the music, precise performances, and to a greater degree....Mood), are all skillfully worked into shimmering rhythms and distinctive taut dynamics that only years of excelling with your instrument can bring.

Tortoise's music is one, that never really breaks out of a laid-back speed, one that is in equal parts hushed gentle rhythms, and intimate precious sounding cerebral noodling. This is music that doesn't intially hit you immediately but more a sound that slowly over the course of time, works its way into your consciousness, and although there is the occasionally odd bit of production/arrangements, they (over time), actually seem to merely be part of the charm of Tortoise's music. And anyone that is fully armed with the facts regarding Tortoise's minimally atmospheric instrumentals and doesn't appreciate the sublime-ness of tracks such as: "Ry Cooder", "Flyrod", "Onions Wrapped in Rubber" & "Magnet Pulls Through" will (as much as it pains me to say this) probably never 'get' Tortoise.

Being a huge fan of instrumental music, I found that this album, was a fantastically performed and arranged minimal guitar/percussion led album that manages to be cool, ambient, rhythmically symphonic, playful and musically textured, and one that will delight those that want something a little more cerebral in their music. Sure....they'll be those that consider Tortoise's music a little too clinical and scholarly to truly embrace, with no vocals to latch onto, and that the music veers a little bit too closely too musical noodling & ((shudders)) Muzak!!!, , to give the group the kudos they deserve. And if I'm being completely honest with you, there is a little bit of truth in those claims, and those people should pass over Tortoise and look for something else. But that doesn't mean that isn't still an exceptionally performed and elegantly composed album, and although the band would learn from this release and their next album (The seminal "Millions Now Living, Will Never Die") would find them performing more as a unit, rather than a group of highly talented musicians performing together. This is still a remarkably classy and (in some cases) funky debut, that is the perfect introduction to the band.

I think this is the best Tortoise album to start out on. This is one of the most innovative bands out there, and it's important to see their progression. Minimalist? Maybe, but subtle and brilliant. John McEntyre and Johnny Herndon are both amazing drummers, and Cornpone Brunch is a percussional marvel. The use of the EMS VCS3 "Putney" synthesizer fills in quiet parts beautifully. This will help you appreciate "Millions" and "TNT" even more.

Tortoise is an amazing group...The sounds and feelings they conjure up with their instruments belong to some other dimension...Its hard for contemporary music to do this without a lot of computer invervention, but Tortoise does it without ever sounding artificial or mechanical. (And without a lot of obvious computer generated or altered sounds) Thats why their live shows have the same feeling as their studio work.

Sometimes dark, but always amazing. This is my favorite of their albums...

i was once asked to describe tortoise's sound. tortoise's sound is...well...THE tortoise sound. there is really no words to describe. their sound is distinctively their own. melodic, dreamlike and original are three adjectives i would use to describe this album. does this album, in it's entire form, match that of "millions..." or "TNT"? no. but it does show the musicianship and experimentation from the early stages. for me the bass stands out the most especially on my favorite track (which happens to be my favorite tortoise track ever) "tin cans and twine." to me nothing takes me on a dreamlike journey such as this song.

This album is also the perfect "late night" album. you know, the one you put on right after a long day or after a show when you just want to wind down and relax. this is absolute perfection for those moments...and other times as well.

The percussion and bass are amazing on this album. They just keep going in their creative way and make you wonder how so much music is made by just a few instruments. It just goes and flows and holds onto you like a finger trap. Night air has some spooky vocals that aren't understandable. It's nice.

BUY!

this is possibly the best tortoise album (with an emphasis on *possibly*), but it took me a while to realize this. the first listen will leave you with a funny taste in your mouth. for instance, "magnet pulls through" will sound both repetitive and haphazardly arranged the first time you listen to it, but after having heard the track a number of times, you'll develop an appreciation for its subtleties, and then discover that there's a whole level of structure to the song you had no idea was there the first time you heard it. something analogous can be said for the whole album. the more experimental tracks (e.g. "onions wrapped in rubber") naturally take time to grow on you (and grow they do!), but even the catchier tunes (e.g. "tin cans and twine", "ry cooder") have hidden structural nuances that take some time to pick up on. once you notice them, though, you develop a whole new appreciation for the song. and this isn't the kind of appreciation that one might have for cleverly arranged atonal noise music - no, it actually *sounds* better once you pick up on the subtleties. you'll find yourself utterly unable to stop grooving to the bass and percussion. but like i said, this appreciation takes some time to cultivate.

so if you already like tortoise, it is your duty to buy this album and understand for yourself why it's so good (which will, in turn, make it clear why Standards just isn't that great). if you haven't heard tortoise before, you should buy TNT (a more accessible, yet no less kick-ass album) first, and THEN get this one once you've developed a feel for their style.

I am new to the tortoise scene. I love the sea and cake so I thought I would give them a listen. I really don't know what to say other than this album really goes nowhere. These guys are all obviously accomplished musicians and yes I understand this is their first album. But the songs on here just don't grab you and pull you in at all. I found myself constantly skipping to the next track two to three minutes into each song. A lot of the songs just sound so similar in nature and many start to get under your skin badly. Practically all of the songs on here are just lame jamming with random sound fillers to try to sound cool I guess. I was just bummed out that there was not even one song on the entire album worth a second listen. I mean common. I hope that the other tortoise albums greatly vary from this one.

3 1/2

An album which may have more historical significance than actual content, especially given artistic heights the band would come into once they got out of their shell. This comparatively bare-bones approach comes complete with most elements we would admire from them, but merely lays out the blueprint in off-beat styled, bass-heavy jams with enough underlying brilliance to guarantee future success.

While I don't think Tortoise is a below-average album, I must say that it simply does not find its way into my CD player very often. There's nothing on here as compelling as their later work on Millions Now Living Will Never Die and TNT. This self-titled debut seems more experimentally-oriented.

This is still a worthwhile disc, though, especially if you like Tortoise' other stuff - but be warned, it's not nearly as organized as TNT. "Night Air" is a favorite, it's very chill for lack of a better word. This album gains some focus towards the end with tracks like "Spiderwebbed" and "Cornpone Brunch."

Overall Tortoise is decent, worthwhile, but not amazing. In their defense I've never really heard anything like this, so it's definitely original, but like I said not particularly compelling.