825. Millions Now Living Will Never Die - Tortoise

I've only recently started getting into post-rock, and this has mainly been through the medium of Mogwai. To find out that this album, by a band I'd never heard of, was a massive influence on that group, was thus pretty exciting.

The album instinctively looks unbalanced, with an epic opener, followed by significantly shorter remaining tracks; over 50% of the running time is that first track. However, it doesn't feel unbalanced when listening to it, with the tracks rolling together in a very organic manner.

Organic is a surprising word to use when describing such an electronic album, but it really does have a natural feel to it. The sounds seem to grow and merge off each other in a fairly inevitable way, certainly after a couple of listens. Whilst it sometimes lacks a bit of drive, something Mogwai would never be accused of, it has a self-assuredeness not often found in such experimental bands.

Overall, I liked the album, but didn't love it. I was impressed by the scope of it, but never astounded by it. I can see why it was so influential, yet prefer the outcome of that influence to the influencers. Still, part of me thinks it is one album that will keep chipping away at me, and may become a part of my regular ouevre. 

Chloe's album rating: 6
Chloe's favourite track: 1. Djed
Olly's album rating: 7
Olly's favourite track: 1. Djed

Next week is 304. Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan.