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8.0
82786
8.0 |
The 405
The sound of a band pushing themselves, but loving every minute of the process
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8.0
82787
8.0 |
Loud And Quiet
‘The Catastrophist’ isn’t violently breaking new musical ground – but then again, slow and steady wins the race
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8.0
82788
8.0 |
The Skinny
This uniquely accessible record is a subtle delight
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8.0
82819
8.0 |
Uncut
The band head off in typically eclectic directions. Print edition only
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8.0
82925
8.0 |
NOW
Another shining example of the band’s ability to forge multitudes of different sounds into something new
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8.0
83136
8.0 |
All Music
Some of their most immediate music to date
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8.0
83243
8.0 |
Mojo
Far from calamitous return to form for post-rock grandees. Print edition only
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7.5
82948
7.5 |
A.V. Club
It sounds more focused than anything the band’s done since 2001’s Standards, because the members were actively thinking about how they fit into a larger tradition
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7.0
83017
7.0 |
Drowned In Sound
Tortoise manage that weirdness, that jazz infused strangeness, and that downright groove that they’ve always traded in, but re-mould it for 2016
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7.0
83028
7.0 |
The Digital Fix
The sound of Tortoise having fun experimenting
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7.0
83070
7.0 |
The Quietus
Tortoise may no longer sound like the future because the future happened, but as long as they keep on hitting the levels of perfection they reach on tracks like 'Shake Hands With Danger' and 'Gesceap' then complacency doesn't sound so bad
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7.0
83073
7.0 |
Rolling Stone
The Tortoise mix of pelvic trance grooves and jazzy changes remains distinctive
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7.0
82918
7.0 |
Exclaim
This is business as (un)usual for one of indie rock's greatest experimental institutions, to be sure
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7.0
82828
7.0 |
musicOMH
That title might suggest sudden, explosive change, but The Catastrophist is more of a diversion
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7.0
82790
7.0 |
PopMatters
Even within this familiar framework, Tortoise find space on the album for nuanced surprises
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6.8
82844
6.8 |
Pitchfork
The Catastrophist bears a subtle yet marked style change for the band—from sprawling and loose to something more cohesive, but nonetheless experimental enough so as to not alienate their core fans
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6.8
83089
6.8 |
Resident Advisor
It's encouraging that Tortoise doesn't struggle to grow, and furthermore, are unafraid to risk stuffing a few too many experiments into their records
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6.7
82834
6.7 |
Consequence Of Sound
While this record won’t reel in many new listeners, it’s a worthy and worthwhile addition to the band’s discography, full of catchy grooves that continue to defy expectations
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6.5
82886
6.5 |
Under The Radar
A befuddling, though quite enjoyable, listen
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6.0
82931
6.0 |
Spectrum Culture
Tortoise will prove the true worth of The Catastrophist when on the road in an improvisational setting
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6.0
82850
6.0 |
Earbuddy
Quite subdued; pleasant on the ears but not entirely conducive of a coma sleep state
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6.0
82785
6.0 |
The FT
What’s lacking is the kind of urgency that briefly surfaces in “Ox Duke” with its bassline enfolded around jittery Steve Reich-style percussion
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6.0
82820
6.0 |
Q
There's plenty to please the hardcore. Print edition only
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6.0
82789
6.0 |
Slant Magazine
Only “At Odds with Logic,” the closing track, bears any of the lump-in-the-throat grandeur of Tortoise's most impactful work, only to hairpin-turn halfway into an unconvincing heavy dirge
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6.0
83123
6.0 |
Beardfood
Still a lovely brand of post-rock. Slightly fuzzy, and very warm. Deserved of a repeat listen? Probably not
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6.0
84728
6.0 |
No Ripcord
An odd record — an album that was probably more interesting to perform than to listen to
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5.0
83025
5.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Heavy on irony, but low on joy
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5.0
83613
5.0 |
Gig Soup
Although the tracks retain a distinctive Tortoise sound, ‘The Catastrophist’ just isn’t as engaging or as vital as their earlier work
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5.0
84036
5.0 |
Tiny Mix Tapes
Tortoise are so self-conscious about both the material and their own methods that they can’t help but sound self-unconscious on The Catastophis
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