TORTOISE
A Lazarus Taxon
Thrill Jockey
· One huge heaping helping of Tortoise, please.
Although comprised predominantly of re-mixes, A Lazarus Taxon could be considered a more than appropriate introduction to Tortoise for new listeners. At the forefront of the late-’90s post-rock movement, Tortoise’s formation didn’t just coincide with the re-mixing boom – their music was founded upon it.
Tortoise are constantly inviting the reinterpretation of their own music by other artists and vice versa (as is apparent here in this lengthy four-disc box-set). Even the original pieces themselves are live re-mixes, directly combining the sum of their Krautrock, dub, jazz, spaghetti western and electronica influences.
There is an impressive list of contributors on this compilation – Yo La Tengo, Jim O’Rourke, Steve Albini, Autechre, Nobukazu Takemura, Mike Watt and Casey Rice. There are even some interesting covers by Tortoise of other artists such as Joy Division, Duke Ellington and The Chicago Underground Trio.
One of the more impressive elements of Tortoise that Lazarus points out is that nothing sounds dated, particularly the danceable tracks. One thing that may elevate them historically, is that they are accomplished musicians, and as such were able to produce hip music that also has timeless substance.
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