Tortoise Standards

Posted by: garyi on 24 August 2004

Has anyone heard of Tortoise and could advise on any of their other stuff, I picked up Standards at the weekend on vinyl and it is superb.

On Warp records (I rarely go wrong with warp) this album has some real elements of Zappa and well kind of Stevie Wonder funk style. There is no singing all instrumental, although released in 2000 this is shaping up to be my find of the year thus far, although I appear to have had some good luck on the music searching front recently.
Posted on: 24 August 2004 by ejl
I don't know "Standards", since I stopped with Tortoise after TNT. Nonetheless, I think the consensus Tortoise pick is "Millions Now Living", which is indeed a fine album with lots of big, complex, Zappa-esque arrangements. Although I didn't like "TNT" that much, I'm in a minority here (I actually prefer their first album "Tortoise"). I suspect "Standards" is similar to "TNT" which I have to admit is very well put together.

Tortoise is all over the place stylistically. If you like their harder-driving, more experimental rock side, there are a number of similar bands I could recommend. If you're after the jazz or electronic side, I'll have to leave it to others.
Posted on: 24 August 2004 by Not For Me
Gary,

I am your musical stalker!

I like Tortoise, and have most (all?) of their albums and a fair few singles & EPs.

I didn't rate Standards as higher as some of their previous material. I agree that 'Millions now Living will never die' is the seminal album.

They also collaborate a lot, like on material by Captain Mindfuck, Bastro, Derrick Carter etc.

You will soon be asking about Slint, Trans Am, Jim O'Rourke, Tarwater and Torocco Rot!

Or will you veer off to another genre? Smile

DS

ITC - Studio 1 - Orange
Posted on: 24 August 2004 by seagull
David, is there anything you don't have?

Apart from Genesnooze of course.
Posted on: 24 August 2004 by Not For Me
Seag,

Plenty!

As a punk survivor, I tend to steer clear of hairy old wank like Genesis, Caravan, Camel, Tull, and especially SUPERTRAMP etc.

(Shit! That's your record collection that is!) Eek

Also I cannot abide Country and/or Western

DS

ITIR (via optical into X-DAC) Pulse - At the New Place

Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed in this e-mail are that of David Slater, and therefore totally correct.
Posted on: 24 August 2004 by ejl
quote:
They also collaborate a lot, like on material by Captain Mindfuck, Bastro, Derrick Carter etc.

You will soon be asking about Slint, Trans Am, Jim O'Rourke, Tarwater and Torocco Rot!


I was actually thinking that garyi might be one of those fortunate souls to like the whole "Squirrel Bait" family tree (Gastr del Sol, Bastro, Bitch Magnet, Slint, Don Callabero, Big Wheel, Bellini, etc.)

Not music for crybabies, but that's not you, right garyi?
Posted on: 24 August 2004 by seagull
I never EVER had any Supertramp, though I'll own up to the others.

I also cannot abide C&W
Posted on: 24 August 2004 by Not For Me
The scene: Ducker, Ducker, Rieveley, Leal, the other one on the piano.

Sings "You're right you're right you're bloody well right..."

All in the clan of SUPERTRAMP.

Are you in SUPERTRAMP denial?

DS

OTT - That'll teach them
Posted on: 24 August 2004 by BigH47
You people just make up these names.
Have you not heard of Bobble Nut, Flingbongo and the amazing Lambypoo.

If any of them are real groups I'll listen to Smiths/Morrisy. (See earlier post regarding my tendancy to lie.)

I love it when people who listened to punk,99% of which was real untalented shit, critise groups who at least knew how to tune a guitar.

Howard Razz
Posted on: 24 August 2004 by ejl
quote:
If any of them are real groups I'll listen to Smiths/Morrisy. (See earlier post regarding my tendancy to lie.)


Actually, a proper listen to Snowing Sun would be rather more suitable.
Posted on: 24 August 2004 by Not For Me
Big,

Time to get out 'Meat is Murder' for spin, as they are all for real!

DS

OTT - Bill Viola
Posted on: 28 August 2004 by Richard Shaw
Getting back to your original question, "TNT" has always been the standard bearer for me.
Their latest, "It's All Around You," is just OK, but if "Millions Now Living..." and/or "TNT" does it for you, the new one's worth a listen. It still has the signature Tortoise sound with some interesting and some questionable departures. If what John McEntire & Co. do is for you, though, I really don't think there's a Tortoise album out there that will disappoint.

Keep us informed.