Tortoise: Classic or Dud

Rockist: 'The Bar' is available on the three disc version of Perfect Lives, but it's a slightly different recording. That is an exceptional piece. He should get a whole thread, I'm an Ashley fanatic.

I didn't know the Ashley piece was based on someone else's poem.

and the only thing the tortoise piece has in common with the ashley piece is the namedrop. still no need to listen to tortoise.

But I bought some later Ashley that didn't hook me in, so I've kind of backed off from his work. (I can't think of the title right now, but it was a large-scale opera type thing.) Also, "The Bar" is really my favorite part of that Perfect Lives work.

I guess one of us should start an Ashley thread. You know more than I do, but if you start one some time, I'll chime in, maybe think of something new to say (maybe not).

didn't mean to be anti-Tortoise above, they certainly were better than many things in the 90's.

frustrating to realize only the rough tape survived. think of what they could have done with a more detailed mixdown.

I don't see what the big deal with the "tape crash" thing is.

I like Bumps more than I thought I would! It's fun to hear the whole frequency range is given over to the drums, like wide-screen breaks. I wish it came with some notes about how they got some of those sick drum sounds (or maybe it does, it's not like I have the cd).

'millions now living...' is about as interesting and compelling as the genre gets. one of my favourite records of all time. well, top 30.

'tnt' is nice, but a little jammy and unfocused for my liking

'it's all around you' is one of those records that has really obvious merits, but not a gread deal of replay value i feel

TNT trumps all.

I'd really like another album from these guys

Theyve paved the way (along with Godspeed!) for the countless instrumental bands out now. Yay!(?)

yeah, can't really thank them very enthusiastically for that. Although I do like some of the projects they were linked to (Brokeback at times, Isotope 217, Town and Country, etc.)

Yeah. Fuck The Shadows. And Booker T & The MGs. And jazz. And Beethoven.

<i>Fuck the Shadows</i> sounds like an emo band.

Fuck the BB Code

These guys lost it when they got that gtr guy in.

the fact that there's so much of this instrumental stuff out there now gives me a good basis of comparison to determine that tortoise is up there as one of the best of the genre. instrumental, post-rock stuff frequently bores me these days, but it's nice to have a few favourites.

aren't they supposed to have a new one this year?

Yeah. Fuck The Shadows. And Booker T & The MGs. And jazz. And Beethoven.

-- Scik Mouthy, Thursday, March 13, 2008 10:34 AM (8 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

Look, captain obvious, I listen to more instrumental music than non. I was just bemoaning the proliferation of b-level postrock bands.

they could have been giants

These guys lost it when they got that gtr guy in.

-- Raw Patrick,

do you mean jeff parker? his solo album 'the relatives' was pretty neat. more of a straight up jazz (rock) vibe.

Yeah that guy. I've heard him play good on other records but he changed Tortoise in a way I didn't want.

DUD. boring band. nothing interesting happening at all. Except for Djed, which is kinda great