The new box set from Chicago post-rock killers Tortoise does what I've not been able to do on my own: It collects all the singles and rarities and remixes that have scattered like pearls off a broken string through the path of their career.
Some of this band's best stuff has come out on imports or limited pressings, and a few pieces of the puzzle have become near impossible to come by.
Lucky for us, then, that they've done the work and delivered the goods in a gorgeous and shockingly affordable package. For less than $20, you get 3 CDs full of music plus a DVD of videos and live performances.
Better yet, order it from e-music.
While I haven't got to the DVD yet, I can say that the music is as fantastic as I knew it'd be. I mean, there's nothing terribly new here, but what is here reaches back a ways into the 90s and yet is as forward-thinking and remarkably played as anything else out there.
Gamera is a classic Tortoise track, going from minimal meditation to surging, gliding instrumental anthem, grand and beautiful.
Mike Watt adds a loose and jangly bass line to Cornpone Brunch on the final CD, for a moment if not of musical genius than of pure fun and joy.
Nobukazu Takemura's take on TNT is another highlight of the set, as are Tin Cans (Puerto Rican remix) and Your New Rod. But picking highlights is tough business here, as the pieces are so disparate, the sounds so unique and varied, that by the time you hit the remix heavy 3rd CD it's like the world's exploded.
Of course, if you're already familiar with their work, none of this will be too shocking to you. If that's the case, don't hesitate to grab this set. There's enough great stuff on here to satisfy you even if you have all the studio releases. And that's rare.
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