[CD Reviews]

TORTOISE | BEACONS OF ANCESTORSHIP

By DAVID DAY

GENRE | RECORD REVIEW ROCK

VERDICT | CHICAGO-GO

RELEASE | 6.23.09

LABEL | THRILL JOCKEY

TRTS.COM

"We wouldn't be an alt-weekly if we [didn't] review the new Tortoise," is how my conversation with Dave at Thrill Records went. That sounds like a cop-out, but it's also partially true. With the rise of the post-rock scene and Chicagoland's indie dominance came the rise of smart-ass publications like this one. Tortoise also happens to be extremely talented, with players like John McEntire, Jeff Parker and Doug McCombs smashing jazz and rock and electronic conventions together like Ron Jeremy hitting a foursome. Opener "High Class Slim Came Floatin' In" shows just what I'm talking about, with an intentionally distorted and blown synth climb giving way to a crashing tumble of percussion. "Gigantes" is also fun to listen to, as the group does wicked cool shit with rhythmic dulcimer sounds and collapsing drums patterns. The Tortoise-esque closer, "Charteroak Foundation," shows our boys will possibly be around for the majority of my life, which would be preferred. After almost two decades of history, they've still got what it takes in spades and diamonds and clubs and hearts; self-referential, post-ironic record reviews notwithstanding.