Tortoise, Remixed (Tokuma/Thrill Jockey)
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), Springheel Jack, Jim O'Rourke, Luke Vibert, and Tortoise's own John McEntire and Bundy Brown. This time the target 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. Unfortunately, it's still hard to find and the $30+ price tag is outrageous. Help put a stop to this vinyl fetishist madness. Bug the shit out of Thrill Jockey until they release their stupid little limited edition collector-asshole vinyl EPs on CD form like any respectable label would do if they actually want their fuckin' bands to be HEARD! And while yer at it, if you run into Steve Albini, tell him if he wants me to buy his goddamn record on that geek-audiophile extra thick vinyl, he can buy me the $900 turntable with the $1,000 cartridge, and the $2,000 pre-amp and graphic equlizer so that the sound quality truly can rival that of any piece-o'-shit $70 CD player, or he can kiss my skinny (but way sexier than his pimply, bony chickenbutt) white ass!
