It looks as if every single track Tortoise records will be remixed eventually. For some bands, this could become tiresome. But for this band, the remixes breathe new life into already fascinating compositions, and create something utterly new. Like 1995’s Rhythms, Resolutions & Clusters, this album makes use of a variety of talent, including U.N.K.L.E., Markus Popp (Oval), Spring Heel Jack, Jim O’Rourke, Luke Vibert, and Tortoise’s own John McEntire and Bundy Brown. This time the source material is their second acclaimed album, Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Unlike the first remix album, this was originally issued under several limited edition EPs which are now all but impossible to find. Fortunately, all the EPs were compiled onto a single CD by Japan’s Tokuma label, which also helpfully combined highlights from Tortoise’s early singles, their debut album and the remixes on one CD, and filled out Millions with more singles. Thrill Jockey would eventually issue it, but after many already paid $30+ for the import. Such was the price of staying on top of things in 1996. Artists like Radiohead appeared to be keenly listening to the electronic glitch, ambient, drum n bass, electroacoustic and trip hop treatments found here, a gateway into how these innovations could merge with rock music and post-rock. A colossally influential audio artifact. Later reissued by Thrill Jockey as part of A Lazarus Taxon in 2006.
April 2, 2026
Fester’s Lucky 13: 1986
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Fester’s Lucky 13: 1976
