The Chicago-reared band, Tortoise, is the result of five musicians in search for a creative outlet. With the release of their fourth album, Standards, music fans are able to witness the band s secret dreamland. The most noticeable angle of Tortoise is that their album is strictly instrumental. No vocals here. Without lyrics it s hard to define a rock band.
Lyrics give bands an image and a sneak-peak into their personality.
The nakedness of Standards pulls the arrangement of the songs to the edge. The band members demand that their instruments be heard, even if an image any image is at risk. Tortoise is but one project of many for the five members. Drummer John McEntire also drums for The Sea and Cake. Compared to their other projects, Tortoise was a way for the band members to alter their individual sound.