It’s been a long time coming, but Tortoise have announced that they will release their first album in nearly seven years on January 22, 2016. The album is titled The Catastrophist.
Whilst among the songs on the album are a cover of David Essex’s 1973 hit song ‘Rock On’ with vocals by U.S. Maple’s Todd Rittmann, and Yo La Tengo’s Georgia Hubley adding her vocals to the track ‘Yonder Blue’, a “bittersweet classic soul/R&B vibe ballad.” The first track to do the rounds ahead of the album’s release is an instrumental track called ‘Gesceap’.
Over the course of 20 years, Tortoise have emerged and remained amongst the front of the so-called ‘post-rock’ movement (regardless of whether they wanted to or not). If Tortoise are a new name to you, the seven-and-a-half minute track is a fine example of why they are so highly regarded in their field. At first it may seem impenetrable but repeated plays reveal that there is more going on here than first meets the eye (or should that be ear?). Dammit, they get down and groove, and avoid any self-indulgence. In their own sweet way, of course. For those who have followed Tortoise over the years – and everyone should check out their second album ‘Millions Now Living Will Never Die’ – it is a fine example of a band who continue to progress and to whom the likes of Battles are indebted.
