Catastrophist, The

Post-rock. Tortoise reminds me of the sort of jam sessions that people have in high school, if the people jamming were really really good. A bunch of dudes get together with their instruments and try to make some cool sounds. The rhythms are complicated and intricate, the textures and the layering of the sound is superb, and although it feels improvisational, I’m sure that it’s not. Most of the songs build up complicated, precise rhythms and harmonies, while the melodies are just a few simple notes. Music which is easy to listen to is rarely this rich.

No FCCs. All are great, although 6 is a personal favorite.

1) Intense opening fades into a beautiful ambling track.
2) Juddering opening, like a rock skittering across a pond.
3) Emphasis on the bass here. Funky.
4) Cool discordant clanging in the background. The melody is big power notes. Cool.
5) Exotic beat with quiet piano on top. Near the end, it disintegrates into soft ambient buzzing.
6) Mostly electronic with some drums underneath. Beautiful polyrhythms. Builds into a surprisingly intense jam session.
7) Warmer sound. Funky. Lots of big guitar chords.
8) A track with a vocalist! What a surprise. Earthy alto voice. Low energy, buzzy, quiet, smooth.
9) Lots of electronic accents. Warm, rich sound.
10) Lots of cymbal in this one. Great growly finish.

--Mr. Tumnus