Review: Tortoise – Beacons of Ancestorship
Tortoise – Beacons of Ancestorship (2009) [Thrill Jockey] // Grade: B+
Welcome back guys, you’ve been missed! While Beacons of Ancestorship in no way rivals such classics as TNT or Millions Now Living, it’s a very profound step back into the right direction for the most innovative instrumentalists of the last 15 years.
Beacons of Ancestorship charm lies on how well Tortoise use electronics on this outing… from the Giorgio Moroder tinged epic opener “High Class Slim Came Floatin’ In” and “Monument Six One Thousand”, to “Northern Something” IDM inspired rock out that brings to mind older Trans Am. Songs “The Fall Of Seven Diamonds Plus One” & “Minors” feel like modern re-imaginings of Millions Now Living era Tortoise, while the standout “Gigantes” flat out sounds like Richard D. James somehow got into the mix.
Tortoise may no longer be pushing the boundaries they were in the mid 90s, but Beacons of Ancestorship is a much welcome two steps back, one step forward for the band. A re-evaluation of who they were and where they’ve been condensed into one a very satisfying album.
