Mar
03
2010
Archive for the “Thrill Jockey” Category
May
19
2009
Beacons of AncestorshipPosted by Christian Carey in CD Review, File Under?, Indie, Thrill Jockey, Uncategorized, crossover, post rockTortoise Beacons of Ancestorship Thrill Jockey Download Thrill 210
Circa twenty years since its founding, Tortoise releases its sixth full length recording, Beacons of Ancestorship. The band’s first LP of new material since 2004′s It’s All Around You, Beacons also follows The Brave and the Bold, an eclectic collaboration with William Oldham on a multifaceted selection of pop covers, and 2006′s lovingly curated career-spanning boxed set A Lazarus Taxon. The members of the band have also been busy touring together and separately inhabiting a plethora of side projects and other musical outfits. Thus, while the five-year wait is understandable, one’s glad to see this project come to fruition. Beacons of Ancestorship is a rare beast for a mature effort. Strongly identifiable as Tortoise’s, it shows the group mindful of its legacy while simultaneously pushing at their musical boundaries. In and of itself, this is remarkable; Tortoise’s polystylistic approach to music-making has, from its inception, encompassed a wide variety of amalgams and juxtapositions. But from the album-opener, we are reminded that the postmodern, post-rock, jazz-meets-minimalism catchalls that the press has long employed to try and pin down the band have always fallen woefully short of fully descriptive. After an undulating drum ‘n bass duet intro, with a killer riff introduced in the bottom octave, “High Class Slim Came Floatin’ In” unfolds section after section as fragmentary episodes; a mélange of IDM club signatures, minimalist reiterations, polymetric rhythmic assemblages, and liberal doses of motoric, edgy synth loops, proggy string pads, and rock guitar riffs alike. The one constant amidst the kaleidoscopic changes: the evolving beat structure is still visceral enough to keep your head bobbing throughout. The coda wears its Reich on its sleeve, with phase-like shifts modulating insistent arpeggios into an incandescent shimmer. “Gigantes” also weaves its way through an impressive assortment of polystylistic material; similarly, rhythmic underpinning allows for a host of distantly related sections to coalesce. Less successful in this regard is “Yinxianghechengqi,” where the use of juxtaposition blunts some of the more powerful buildups of the piece. Still, its thunderous walls of sound demonstrate an affinity for avant exploration that can take the group on thrilling musical excursions. “deChelly” is a all-too-brief example of delicate soundscaping. The impressively fluid and virtuosic “Prepare Your Coffin” and “Penumbra” are somewhat reminiscent of the outstanding fusion of jazz and progressive rock found on David Sancious’s albums in the Seventies. Riffs played in guitar and bass, doubled in octaves, ornately metered yet constantly propulsive drumming, intriguing chord progressions and extended keyboard voicings, and soaring guitar solos placed up top. Both fusion and prog have been much-maligned over the years – post-rock’s continuation of their confluence has been as well – and the zesty yet airy arrangements of “Coffin” and “Penumbra” suggest that the detractors of these genres have, at best, painted with too broad a brush. “Northern Something” is one of the cuts that pushes against the aforementioned boundaries of Tortoise’s language. Edgy, reiterated riffs and a militaristic drum refrain create a bellicose (perhaps current events-inspired?) ambience. “Monument Six One Thousand” adds Middle Eastern-inflected rhythms into the equation, pitting their undulating flexibility against brash quarter notes articulated as piquant rhythm guitar downstrokes. “Minors,” stands in stark contrast to these two. A carefully shaped, elegantly rendered piece, its funky rhythmic underpinning sidles up to lyrically deployed solos, affecting harmonies, and the album’s most winning melodies. An excellent installment, well worth the wait, Beacons of Ancestorship is easily the best material Tortoise has released since 1998′s TNT.
Apr
14
2009
Record Store Day Treasures: Part One ““ Thrill JockeyPosted by Christian Carey in File Under?, Indie, Thrill Jockey, Uncategorized, Vinyl, avant jazz, record store day
With over 100 limited releases being pressed especially for Record Store Day, it’s hard to select favorites. But throughout the week, File Under ? will be listing select highlights to whet appetites. This from Thrill Jockey Records Thrill Jockey is proud to present our very own special contribution to Record Store Day (April 18th). The deluxe “Records Toreism” LP will be limited to 900 copies and will feature on one side a drawing by Post Typography and a photo silk screen by Crosshair on the other. The images portray record stores of the future, one if you support the community institutions and the other if you don’t. Yes that is right, the inconvenient truth. The printing and jacket fabrication will be done by Crosshair. Deluxe – all hand made, hand printed loveliness! A 1. Mountains “Windows” This is a new song that does not appear any place else. It was recorded with love for the record store. 2. Tortoise “High Class Slim Came Floatin’ In” This is a new song. It will also appear on their new album in June. Released early with love for the record store. AA 1. Double Dagger “Stagger Lee” This is a new song that does not appear any place else. It was recorded with love for the record store. 2. White Hills “Eye to Eye” “Eye To Eye” was previously released on Abstractions & Mutations, a limited edition CD-R release put together for a tour in September of 2007. Released for the first time on LP with love for the record store. 3. Trans Am Featuring Tim Soete “Wounded Monkey” This is an unreleased song recorded and mixed March 28, 2005 at MAINZ in Auckland, New Zealand. Tim Soete on lead guitar and lead vocals. Released with love for the record store. The album will also come with two inserts: A zine “WhatsinstORe” with contributions from Ira Robbins (Trouser Press), Stephen Pastel (Pastels, Monorail), Ian MacKaye (Dischord, Evens, Fugazi, Minor Threat), Magas (Reckless Records, Magas), Julie Cafritz (Pussy Galore), Rick Wojeck (Dusty Groove), Nigel (Rough Trade Records London), Danny Beard (DB Records, Wax N Facts), Ron (Jazz Record Mart), Andee Connors (A Minor Forest, Aquarius Records) Josh Madell (Other Music), Bill Ryan (Pier Platters), Bundy Brown (Tortoise, Pullman, Directions, Dusty Groove) and more! The second insert, NAY! I say the first MANIFESTO, was written by an elusive crank known to dine with those that lay claim to Futurism. Feel the power! Join the movement – RECORDSTORISM!!
Feb
13
2009
Review: Thank You Very QuicklyPosted by Christian Carey in Alternative, CD Review, File Under?, Indie, Thrill Jockey, UncategorizedExtra Golden Thank You Very Quickly Grooving atop jubilant African polyrhythms and rumbling bass lines, Extra Golden revels in sparkling vocals and solos that are one part prog and another folk-melody. While numerous World Beat offerings have somewhat acclimated Western ears to the band’s sound world, there’s no dilution here. At its best, Extra Golden is reminiscent of David Sancious and Ladysmith simultaneously. The rhythm section will slay you every time they take up another intricate pattern; its music dares you not to move. Thank You Very Quickly is an all expenses paid express flight to exotic, ecstatic musical environs! |
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