Tortoise

Beacons of Ancestorship
"Post-everything" legends Tortoise have been quiet in recent years, their last release being a collaboration with the ceaselessly prolific Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. After 3 years in exile Tortoise are back with a new album entitled 'Beacons of Ancestorship'.

As the last notes of the dancy, angular 'High Class Jim Came Floatin' In' make way for the more familiar and jazz infused sound of 'Prepare Your Coffin' it is clear that the new Tortoise record is going to make for a diverse and captivating listen.

Beacons of Ancestorship is littered with glitchy electronic passages that wouldn't sound out of place on an Aphex Twin album but the songs also elaborate on the sound pursued by Tortoise on previous ventures. Effortless shifts in time and tempo flaunt the proficiency of the band as musicians without allowed the complexity to affect the fluid feel of their songs (a problem encountered by many of their imitators).

The Variety of musical styles detailed within the album is aweinspiring. From the frantic noise-rock of 'Yinxianghechengqi' to the twisted electronica of 'Monument Six One Thousand', Tortoise cover all the bases and do so with not only breath-taking quality but also a finely tuned sense of humour. 8.5/10