Tortoise, Millions Now Living Will Never Die (Thrill Jockey)
By Jason Boucher
The first time I heard this record I was immediately hooked — hooked on the sound, the production, and the arrangements. John McEntire’s percussion and the vibraphones set the stage, but the influence of Bundy K. Brown, an original member who departed after their initial self-titled release, remains on this record.
Djed, the 20-minute opener is a must listen just for its structure alone. McEntire uses the motorik effect, which was established in the early 70s from Krautrock pioneers Neu! It’s 4/4 time, using mainly the bass drum and snare where repetition is key. You can hear this during Djed and it’s fantastic.
Watching this band perform live is something even more special. Post rock done perfect. Watch this space!