MILLIONS NOW LIVING WILL NEVER DIE

Second official album, MNLWND is a bit of a departure on the previous TNT (but that one was also a departure on the s/t debut), but still distinctly remain post-rock with that special Tortoise feel. Compared to the debut album, the line-up remains constant, except for David Pajo replacing Bunky Brown and the "fishy" artwork probably hints at the title immortal promise, but I don't see much a link with the music present on the six tracks, including the 21-mins Djed track that opens the album. Difficult to describe this track other than electro-pop krautrock, somewhere between Harmonia, Cluster and early Kraftwerk, but there is a whole lot more to it than that, even though its mostly synth-driven. Glass Museum resumes the more standard post-rock with the typically Tortoise vibraphones. The intrusive drums are certainly not the Tame part of the Taut track, but they do contribute in ruining it at grandma's expense with has an Art Of Noise feel, but little else going for it. Whatever few Grandpa had is leading the closing Riverbank's stroll to fish whatever fish that won't die.

Over the course of the whole album, the balance tips in favour of the synth-driven music, which not only annihilates the group's usual musical propos, but it doesn't really sound anything more than ambient and will probably push you into the arms of Morpheus for a snooze. And unless you're an insomniac, you'd better stay away from this dud.