Tortoise's almost entirely instrumental music defies easy categorization. … Read Full Bio ↴Tortoise's almost entirely instrumental music defies easy categorization. The group gained significant attention from their early career. The members have roots in Chicago's fertile music scene, playing in various indie rock and punk groups. Formed in 1990, Tortoise was among the first American indie rock bands to incorporate styles closer to Krautrock, dub, minimalism, electronica and various jazz styles, rather than the standard rock and roll and punk that had dominated indie rock for years.
The group's origins lie in the late 1980's pairing of McCombs and Herndon, who imagined themselves as a freelance rhythm section (like reggae legends Sly and Robbie). That idea never saw fruition but in the summer of 2007 they formed the group Bumps and released a record with the same name on indie hip-hop label Stones Throw records, their interest in grooving rhythms and recording studio trickery led to McEntire and Brown (both formerly of Bastro) joining, followed by Bitney. Though songs are credited to all the musicans, McEntire quickly became, if not the acknowledged leader, then the group's guiding force, at least via media perception. In reality his extra contributions mainly took the form of being the recording engineer and mixer.
Their first single was issued in 1993, and their self-titled debut album followed a year later. Instrumental and mostly mid-tempo, Tortoise slowly garnered praise and attention, due in part to the unusual instrumentation (two bass guitars, three percussionists switching between drums, vibraphones and marimbas). A remix album followed, Rhythms, Resolutions and Clusters.
Brown left and was replaced by Pajo (formerly of Slint, who plays mostly bass, but offers Tortoise's first recorded guitar, as well) for 1996's Millions Now Living Will Never Die, a breakthrough, both in quality and attention. The album blended many genres, yet never seems like a pastiche. Millions showed up on many year-end best of lists, and the 20 minute Djed was described by critic John Bush as proof that "Tortoise made experimental rock do double duty as evocative, beautiful music."
In 1998, Tortoise released TNT, arguably their most jazz-inflected album. Pajo had been replaced by Parker, who has a strong jazz background. 2001 led to Standards, where Tortoise incorporated more electronic sounds and post-production into its music than in previous works. 2004 saw the release of It's All Around You, and in 2006 they collaborated with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy on an album of covers titled The Brave and the Bold.
Other groups related to Tortoise include The Sea and Cake, Brokeback, Shrimp Boat, Isotope 217 and the Chicago Underground Duo. Tortoise records on the Thrill Jockey label.
Website links:
Band Website: http://www.trts.com/
Band myspace: http://www.myspace.com/trts
The group's origins lie in the late 1980's pairing of McCombs and Herndon, who imagined themselves as a freelance rhythm section (like reggae legends Sly and Robbie). That idea never saw fruition but in the summer of 2007 they formed the group Bumps and released a record with the same name on indie hip-hop label Stones Throw records, their interest in grooving rhythms and recording studio trickery led to McEntire and Brown (both formerly of Bastro) joining, followed by Bitney. Though songs are credited to all the musicans, McEntire quickly became, if not the acknowledged leader, then the group's guiding force, at least via media perception. In reality his extra contributions mainly took the form of being the recording engineer and mixer.
Their first single was issued in 1993, and their self-titled debut album followed a year later. Instrumental and mostly mid-tempo, Tortoise slowly garnered praise and attention, due in part to the unusual instrumentation (two bass guitars, three percussionists switching between drums, vibraphones and marimbas). A remix album followed, Rhythms, Resolutions and Clusters.
Brown left and was replaced by Pajo (formerly of Slint, who plays mostly bass, but offers Tortoise's first recorded guitar, as well) for 1996's Millions Now Living Will Never Die, a breakthrough, both in quality and attention. The album blended many genres, yet never seems like a pastiche. Millions showed up on many year-end best of lists, and the 20 minute Djed was described by critic John Bush as proof that "Tortoise made experimental rock do double duty as evocative, beautiful music."
In 1998, Tortoise released TNT, arguably their most jazz-inflected album. Pajo had been replaced by Parker, who has a strong jazz background. 2001 led to Standards, where Tortoise incorporated more electronic sounds and post-production into its music than in previous works. 2004 saw the release of It's All Around You, and in 2006 they collaborated with Bonnie 'Prince' Billy on an album of covers titled The Brave and the Bold.
Other groups related to Tortoise include The Sea and Cake, Brokeback, Shrimp Boat, Isotope 217 and the Chicago Underground Duo. Tortoise records on the Thrill Jockey label.
Website links:
Band Website: http://www.trts.com/
Band myspace: http://www.myspace.com/trts
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Worldhaspostrock
1. TNT 00:00
2. Swing From The Gutters 7:34
3. Ten-Day Interval 13:29
4. I Set My Face To The Hillside 18:16
5. The Equator 24:26
6. A Simple Way To Go Faster Than Light That Does Not Work 28:27
7. The Suspension Bridge At Iguazu Falls 32:03
8. Four-Day Interval 37:42
9. In Sarah, Mencken, Christ And Beethoven There Were Women And Men 42:29
10. Almost Always Is Nearly Enough 50:01
11. Jetty 52:45
12. Everglade 1:01:09
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Skander Gharbi
Worldhaspostrock I'm really thankful for your efforts and what you've done to deliver this kind of music and share it whith us. I just love your work like for real. I have a simple request for you and i would be much grateful if you hear me: can you direct me to some artists who play the same kind of music as "Low Roar" because i've been searching for way too long and i couldnt find any kind of artists who have their same style of music. Please help me, i'm really desperate.
Franck Deux
, , ,,,,, , ,@Skander Gharbi ,
Cristiano Langston
You prolly dont care but does anyone know a trick to log back into an Instagram account..?
I somehow forgot my password. I would love any help you can offer me
Fletcher Marshall
@Cristiano Langston instablaster :)
Lunch Meat
This album is simultaneously so cutting edge, so original, so one of a kind, yet I somehow feel a strange nostalgia upon hearing it. It instills a sense of childlike wonder, yet also mixed with a chilling sense of maturity and intelligence. This album is so beautiful, creative, it feels like less of a project someone composed and more like the soundtrack to a dream. It feels boundary pushing yet also so comforting, and for that, this is something unbelievably special. Ten-day interval almost brought me to tears.
Timewarp Entertainment
What a glorious album. Great chill-out / de-stress / unwind music. David Pajo is a fabulous guitar player. He can play a range of styles and maintain distinction. It's not just him, the whole band is on form!
Bandstand
This record brings me back man. I remember I was driving up I-95 when my tire blew out on "I Set My Face To The Hillside. Went straight into a ditch and totaled my car. I didn't even get out of my car to check the damage. I just sat in my car and listened to the record. Somebody must have called the cops because they showed up at around "Almost Always Is Nearly Enough." Good times.
Donna Brandmeyer & Robert Davis
+Bandstand Funny
b rizla
+Bandstand That's a great story. Glad you're alright man.