Beacons of Ancestorship is best thing these Chicago avant-rock innovators have forged in many years. Jumping into a kind of cosmic post hip-hop vibe, Tortoise harnesses the best part of their sound, delivering a weird, angular wail that electrifies the band and the listener alike. To sound retro and current at once is difficult, but they have managed it, and even spared some time to add a slice of classic TNT-era loveliness via "The Fall of Seven Diamonds Plus One."

Now on their umpteenth album, it can be hard to drum up much excitement for a new Tortoise album -- we've heard it all before, is there really something new these guys have to say? But give it even one spin and it's clear that Beacons of Ancestorship is the best thing the Chicago avant-rock innovators have forged for many, many years. Jumping into a kind of cosmic post hip-hop vibe, the group harness the best part of their sound, stripping out the lazy chaff and delivering a weird, angular wail that electrifies the band and the listener alike. Opening with "High Class Slim Came Floatin' In," we're instantly off to a great start with a track that sounds like it could have just as easily come off a Dabrye record as a Tortoise joint. With stuttering post-Dilla beats (no doubt informed by John McEntire's recent outing as Bumps for Stones Throw) and buzzing hypercolor synthesizers, it feels like the band has been re-invigorated with a new energy.

The basic Tortoise vibe we fell in love with back in the mid '90s is still there (just about) but this is a band that have transported their sound into 2009 quite perfectly, and like Portishead they've done it by looking to the past. The album sounds almost like it could have been recorded direct to reel-to-reel tape in the mid '70s as they take an almost cop-show vibe on tracks such as "Prepare Your Coffin" and "Minors." To sound retro and current at once is difficult, but they have managed it, and even spared some time to add a slice of classic TNT-era loveliness in the shape of "The Fall of Seven Diamonds Plus One." They might be re-treading old ground here but it comes much appreciated, sounding as good as the band ever had and adding a rest stop from the rest of the record's stuttering percussive funk. You might have been ready to write off Tortoise but trust me on this -- Beacons of Ancestorship is the best thing the band have mustered up since TNT. Don't miss it!

-John Twells (June 25, 2009)