TNT

Having musically more common features with indie electronics records than anything prog-related, TORTOISE's "TNT" is still a good album to listen. I managed to borrow it from a friend and I think I'm gonna burn myself a copy. Sorry for saying this but I DIDN'T enjoyed it THAT much to find and buy immediately.

"TNT" varies in mood and textures very much. Some vibraphone moments may remind you of GENTLE GIANT (like "The Suspension Bridge at Iguazu Falls"), some tracks are almost Krautrock ("TNT", quirky "Equator"),some ones are pure electronics ("In Sarah...", "Jetty")...others are almost free-jazz meanderings supported with background hisses. As I've noticed, my interests towards this album fall into one and the same category with majority of reviewers - I liked mostly the first half of the album, especially soundscapes like both "Intervals", "Swing from the Gutters", "I Set My Face to the Hillside" etc. If you never heard of TORTOISE, I can compare their style to RED SNAPPER, BJORK, AIR, late RADIOHEAD, and a bit of EitS and SIGUR ROS - at least, that's what I've found there.

Now look at the upper corner of my review.Yep, the right one. This is an album's cover, and it's disgusting and tasteless. The ugliest I ever seen. I'd never buy this one because of cover, believe me!!! :)

OK, while "TNT" is not that kind of album I'll be listening to often and precise, it has some nice "background music" moments and even can be recommended...with a warning: try to pre-listen to it before buying.