Tortoise's Johnny Herndon is incapable of giving a direct or detailed answer to interview
questions:
The Daily Cardinal: What is it that audiences like most about your sound?
Johnny Herndon: That's probably, like, so individual.
DC: Then how would you describe your sound to someone that hasn't heard it before?
JH: I'd give them a CD and tell them to listen to it.
These symptoms may be a sign that Tortoise is either too busy touring to answer questions (probably true) or that Tortoise's sound defies classification (definitely true).
To the casual listener, Tortoise could be characterized as \post-rock,"" a genre as easily definable as ""rock."" It doesn't help that each new album adds a completely new definition to the term. In the words of Herndon, ""We just like to keep things interesting, for the band.""
And for the listener too. Tortoise's April release, It's All Around You (Thrill Jockey Records), is an airy foray into a musical landscape with very little structure or definition.
One of Tortoise's most interesting qualities is its ability to slather atmospheric melodies over deep, driving bass lines. For instance, the album's first (and undoubtedly best) track begins with slow, distorted arpeggios on guitar and evolves through a tangled series of time signatures, amazingly, into something really diggable. Vibraphone and guitar echo each other lazily over a relentless rhythm section.
Another of the album's impressive pieces is ""On The Chin,"" a heartfelt lament that again features exchanges between vibes and guitar. Its emotions range from determined to disheartened, all the while keeping a sense of cohesion one is unlikely to find in many other Tortoise pieces.
A few of the band's efforts on It's All Around You are a bit misguided, including Tortoise's first attempt for human vocals, ""The Lithium Stiffs."" The piece comes off messily, like a child hitting random keys on the ""SynthVoice"" setting of a keyboard.
And, as Herndon alludes, there is still much about the album that leaves the reader wondering, ""Who is Tortoise?"" ""Dot/Eyes,"" for example, is reminiscent of the soundtrack to a horror-thriller, complete with motorcycle chase. ""By Dawn"" ends up being an avant-garde splattering of electronic half-thoughts.
In case there was any doubt, one thing It's All Around You is not is New Age. Herndon was adamant on this point, and it represented the only time in the interview Herndon showed emotion.
DC: Your latest album has been described [by critics in Splendid and Glide magazines] as ""New Age."" Do you think that description would be accurate?
JH: Do you?
DC: Not entirely...?
JH: Then why are you asking me?
DC: Well, what was the end result you were trying to achieve with this album?
JH: The end result is up to you! I don't know, you have it in your hand!
Nobody else could put it better. Tortoise is worth a listen, but they will definitely not tell you how to listen to them.
