Tortoise - It's All Around You

8.5 - USA - 2004

On this, their fifth album, the Chicago post-rockers produce perhaps their most epitomal work. Whereas their sophomore record, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, is generally considered their masterpiece, I’ve always found that album rather cold and detached. For me, TNT, their third, is by far the best, but It’s All Around You is also a fine illustration of their talents. Whereas Millions Now Living and Standards sometimes come across as technical exercises, this one off-sets Tortoise’s sometimes overly clinical sound with a wealth of warm textures and immersive arrangements. There’s a greater emphasis on melody here – particularly on the gorgeous opening title track – which makes things a bit more accessible (also of note: the slow-unfolding beauty of “On The Chin”, which evokes the majestic procession of a mighty space ship through the sky). As a whole, the album coheres very nicely – particularly the dove-tailing between “The Lithium Stiffs” and “Crest”. Solid.