Millions Now Living Will Never Die

Opening track is good but it feels like they ran out of ideas at the start of track 2. If you want to do a full instrumental album like this, you either need to get awesome and show off, go all in on being weird, or go full ambient Brian Eno. This album does none of those and then sits in a mopey depression. I get the impression that they made the last 25 minutes or so of the album because they were obligated by a record label to get over the 45 minute mark.

If I’m honest my heart dropped at about seven minutes when i realised that not only was this an instrumental album, but one that goes no where. This was further compounded st around the ten minute mark by the annoying ringing sound that at least marshals in a slight change in tune. The album doesn’t improve at any point and just feels like one massive waste of time

helps that i am already familiar with tortoise, and with atmospheric instrumental music. another case of people refusing to come at this unbiased: not every album is for every situation. you wouldn't listen to nine inch nails while studying (or maybe you would, everyone is wired differently), such as you would not listen to this album if you were trying to hype yourself up for a night out.

Call it post-rock, or post-music. This is sparse, cosmic, communal, ethereal, spiritual and drug-tripping music. Your mind and body get all fuzzy after listening to it.

🤣- that’s just sad. Ooooooo- 50,000 in sales! I’ve known cover bands with better sales. This is another album that has zero musicality- it’s just ambient sound.

That was freaking epic!

mellow OST overrated? c

4/5

decent instrumental album

I guess it's ok for a soundtrack, when you're reading, and don't want the music to disturb you by being exciting.

I'm aware of this band but I don't think I've ever listened to an album of theirs, and as a fan of post-rock, that seems like a miss on my part. Thank you to this site for making me listen to this. I'm very much looking forward to this listen. Yeah, I dug this. I'll be adding it to my list of albums to listen to again.

Pretty good. Not my speed. But good!

I liked it. I liked it a lot. Even went on to listen to other albums they have, This is what I was looking for from this list. Something new to me that I could add to my listening list. I will be doing that.

It was fine. Heard better examples of the genre.

I had a dream about this album last night where there were lyrics. At first I thought it was like Cap. Beefheart met with the Antlers and jammed normal style, but then it didn't really sound like that after a while.

I was begging for someone - anyone - to sing.

Now I'm about half way through this project, it's become completely apparent to me that, with a tiny number of exceptions, I need to love a vocalist to love an album. Falling in love with someone's voice allows me to give second chances to albums that don't grab me initially, makes music stick in my brain, makes me connect with an artist in a way that makes it possible to love their work. Which both is my own problem, and sounds massively pretentious. It does explain why I have a patchy experience with instrumentals however... I kept expecting a vocal to start and it never did so it ended up feeling unfinished to me as a result. I didn't dislike the instrumental, per sae, just felt like it was building to something that didn't materialise. Glass Museum went weirdly prog rock 2/3s of the way through, which I wasn't expecting (The Taut And The Tame was also a bit proggy when it wasn't weirdly reminding me of a Red Hot Chilli Peppers bassline). Then Along The Banks Of Rivers turned into the theme tune to Black Books right at the end (or at least near enough, I had to check it wasn't by Tortoise - it isn't). 2/5

This was better than I expected, but it still slipped into the background. 3 stars.

More influential on me and my songwriting than I remembered.

this was...okay? is there something i'm not getting?

Love this album. Glass Museum sounds like what swimming feels like…

Two very similar albums back to back - ambient, post rock, mostly instrumental, plodding. Neither is better being listened to so close to the other. The same complaints persist. Parts are good. No track is fully good to me.

Tortoise is the loveliest post-rock band in the world, and Millions Now Living Will Never Die is proof of that. TNT could easily be a 5-star album, but this one comes pretty close too. A solid 4 stars.

Beautiful. Amazing sounds. Love the deep atmosphere. Love the slow builds and sometimes the abrupt misdirections. Love how it's epic and classical and yet Punky and angular and messy and noisy, mostly at the same time.

- I am glad this sort of thing is on the list; post-rock is a genre that I find interesting and I like to be exposed to new sounds. That being said, much like an avant-garde film, that is about as far as my enjoyment goes and I do not see myself revisiting this. - Liked "A Survey" the most, between the underlying strength of the bass and the inclusion of the cricket noises. Unfortunately, many of the tracks do not lean enough on the rock for me to get that pumped up...in particular, the continual return to keyboards and xylophones make them sound more dated than I would like.

Crazy that this is the post rock album that makes it on this list over certain other bands or even their own record TNT. Bit confused by that, but still: a really good album with the 20+ minutes long opener obviously being a highlight, but also outside of that an interesting listen.

3.65875

I did not like.

Incredibly interesting, creative, calming, this isn't an album I'd cherry pick tracks out of to listen to, but more of an experience to be had.

listened for the first time earlier this year, wonderful!

It's not as bad as I expected. I don't typically like instrumental albums, but there are some interesting ideas in "Millions Now Living Will Never Die".

I am not familiar with the band or this entire album. The band combines live instrumentation (bass guitars and marimbas) with digital studio technology and influences from dub, jazz, Krautrock, and early electronic music. The music is instrumental; it features a vibraphone, as well as extensive use of samples and soundscapes.

Mostly electro-pop BS. Not entirely annoying.

I guess I don’t know what “post rock” is as a genre . This just seemed like instrumental music. Which was fine

When I want to listen to 90s post-rock with heavy lifts from Steve Reich this is one of three albums I'll put on. Djed at the top is a bold choice and one that I think serves them well in that it sets out a more expansive vision straight away. The needle drops and they get to work for 20 minutes. Not going to lie, this record was the soundtrack to more than one cultural studies paper being written. Despite The Taut and Tame always perking my ears up I wouldn't recommend it for a long drive at night, but it's well-suited for sitting with a cup of coffee any time.

Slow

yeah just a good post rock album

Meh

Yeah yeah, that was great. Right up my alley.

I’d play this in the background while working. Kinda cool, experimental but meandering. Ambient but not Explosions in the Sky. Pretty sure I heard a voice at the end of the final track say “Dude, you’ve been recording this whole time?“

halfway thru djed it kind of started sounding like something that would play in an indonesian horror movie

Boring

Not even bad, was totally ready to say noise slop but there’s actually some good stuff here. My dopamine fiend of a mind just can’t go without lyrics. I really like glass museum. #minecraftcore

Think of the era, Nirvana opened up the world to all bands. No longer is lyrical only held towards classical and Jazz(which is also classical music but I degrees) we have now entered instrumental grunge. In the wake of Porishead and tricky this is a perfect companion. So slow yet somber. This has heart and soul. You can feel every strum. A 20 minute song to start is a choice that makes sense. How can you convince your listeners to indulge in this new concept by treating it more like a piece of art. So when you get to Glass museum you can already feel the impact. Wow I liked this a lot. I see the shortcomings and I say did they need them. This was the band taking every chance they could to create something subversive while also trying to tell a story. Millions now living will never die. It’s true. This is indie rock in its truest form inspiring bands like polyphia and Chon the list goes on. They tried it and honestly it worked well. I have bought in. It is Trippy and it’s got soul and I love it for that.

Alors que la liste de Robert Dimery contient une quantité infinie d'albums de rock assez plan-plan, tomber sur du post-rock est un vrai soulagement, d'autant que jusque-là, je n'avais eu qu'un seul album du genre. Bon, c'est typiquement le genre que je ne connais pas assez pour bien juger et le post-rock, ça mérite qu'on se penche longtemps dessus pour en saisir toutes les subtilités parce que c'est pas du tout un genre immédiat et accessible Qui plus est, on a ici affaire à un album 100 % instrumental, qui prend son temps, surtout lors du premier titre de presque 21 minutes. Il est très atmosphérique, très posé, ce qui est plus ou moins l'une des caractéristique du genre ? J'ai pas autant accroché de ça, mais dans ce cas précis, je pense que c'est surtout parce que devrais l'écouter davantage. Et comme j'ai envie de récompenser un peu l'audace de ce bon vieux Bob quand il décide d'ajouter quelque chose, je vais peut-être pousser ma note à 4. On verra demain.

Pretty chill and cool, kind of a little bit spy-movie-esque, fun background listen.

I liked it a lot more than I expected based on the casiotone review. Brooding and very different, would like to use it for study music if I have the chance to study again. 3.8

You have to be in the right mood to listen to this, and I'm never in that mood. The last track was good, but the rest reminded me of ambient music you'd hear playing in a sci-fi exhibit in a museum or theme park.

It feels like there's a whole lot going on in this record, while not having a lot going on at the same time. The production is sparse, and serves as a mental check at times. Favourite Track(s): The Tout and Tame Least Favourite Track(s): Dear Grandma and Grandpa

Another interesting album! Again, since no 3.5, give it 4 instead. Not quite a 3, nor quite a 4. Interesting post rock instrumental.

Better than Coldplay

love this album it got me into post rock

This one was fascinating. I actually loved the sound, the production and the vibe of this whole thing. For me though, with no vocals means I can connect more with the songs.

Like it 3/5

So fire

This is solid. Pretty chill and interesting, but I don't know that the structure of it lends itself to being something I'd listen to regularly. Like it sort of reminds me of stuff like Tycho or Papadosio at times, but those bands have more traditional song structure that's easier to listen to. I dunno, maybe a little too ambient for me? It's kinda hard to put my finger on the specifics. Fine enough background music for work or some other monotonous task, but not something I'm compelled to seek out more of.

I’m not about to hung out their back catalogue but I did like this

Groupe inconnu. L’album est totalement instrumental, ce qui est une bonne surprise. Les compositions sont originales (structures non standard, on ne sait pas trop à quoi s’attendre), ce qui est une seconde bonne surprise. Et on a droit à un morceau de 20 mn réussi ! Excellente découverte donc, qui rejoindra ma collection. Et je vais m’intéresser aux autres albums du groupe. =>4/5

This was okay. Instrumental music that covers a lot of ground: indie, post-punk, noise, a bunch of stuff under the sun. I could see myself putting this on as I read or try to write. It wasn't so faceless that I'd completely ignore it, but not mind-blowing enough that it would distract me from a task.

Pretty chill study music

Really liked this one; it has a very krautrock feel with its unpredictable fusions of experimental electronic with these groovier, jammier bits. It starts with the massive opener 'Djed', which feels like an experimental electronic odyssey, constantly stuttering and switching haphazardly between its many movements, with gear that sounds modern but also has the dirty, grainy vintage feel of stuff like '70s Cluster and Tangerine Dream. My favourite part was the second-to-last ambient bit with this simple but gorgeous chord progression. The rest of the record is comprised of a bunch of much smaller, but still very enjoyable forays into the worlds of krautrock, occasionally dabbling in the melancholia of post-rock. 'Glass Museum' especially feels like it could've inspired every GYBE song under the sun with those gorgeous arpeggios and that dreary, twangy lead. 'The Taut and Time' was also great, just super funky kraut feel to this one with these syncopated drums, a very scratchy guitar, and a run-down-sounding organ driving it. 'Along the Banks of Rivers' has this rundown noir feel to it, with these sharp guitars; it reminds me of the guitar tone used on 'Sour Times' by Portishead. Great album, been meaning to check out Tortoise for a while now, so glad it appeared here.

Millions now living will never understand

nothing memorable

It’s background music. It fulfils that role fairly well. Not sure it works well as “an album” in the sense of it being a single, discrete listening experience, though. In other words: It’s highly unlikely I’d ever choose to listen to it again.

It’s inoffensive but ultimately completely pointless and has no right being suggested as something I need to do before I die

Some of it was alright just not enough

5/10

Pretty interesting music, I like the instrumental post rock style.

Needs further listens.

i feel their heavy influence in many bands very dear to me. their meandering soundscapes are difficult to describe. heavy but soft. strong and timid. at times soothing like a summer rain (as Mogwai does), at times cold as frozen winter's night in a film noir (as Cult of Luna does).

Se non sai scrivere un brano di 20 minuti, non farlo.

Yeah, not for me

Great album cover, I really enjoy the wavelike texture in the background. Tortoise is in a nice blue compared to the color of the cover. Djed is really the only listenable song here, for an instrumental album its average. I would rather listen to some videogame soundtracks instead than listen to this again. Instrumental is pretty difficult to mess up, so by default its average. Best Song: Djed. Worst Song: Along the Banks of Rivers.

I like the names of the songs, Glass Museum and Along the Banks of Rivers. Musically, sounds like I’m in the lobby of a hotel, or waiting for the elevator door to open.

Millions Now Living Will Never Die by Tortoise is an alive album that effortlessly adapts to shifting currents and explores intricate yet minimalist soundscapes. Its ability to incorporate jazzy basslines, wandering synths, and authentic guitar riffs all within a single song is fascinating. It creates a lush and beautiful musical ecosystem, carrying the listener into the deep seas, across the lands, and above the clouds. We are taken on a journey through time to admire the enchanting glamour of nature and listen as the sound evolves. This experience is enthralling — a massively under-appreciated, ethereal masterpiece.

Nice

Pretty Good! Need to give it another listen.

This is another band and album I'd never heard of before today. When I saw the 2.8 rating on the site I was pretty discouraged, but I read some of the reviews (which I typically don't do till after I listen) and was a bit less apprehensive. Once Djed started I was totally into it, and then there were multiple instrumental and tempo changes which I was also totally into. Glass Museum started off as a great Cure song and became something completely different. I loved all of it, and smiled throughout. For the second day in a row I had an album that was such a pleasant surprise and the reason I keep going with this project.

kinda vvibbeddd

Pleasant enough but no reason to ever play it again

Maybe a 3.5 but I thought this was surprisingly good (surprisingly because I feel like I'm hard to please)

So post-rock is instrumental? And kinda mellow? What does that mean for post-post-rock?

I didn’t expect to love this but I did. It sounded so current that I had to double check the release date.

Not really my usual listening, but I would have it on as background music

Haven’t had an instrumental album in a bit. It was alright, nothing special. 3/5 ⭐️ 258/1089

My brain has not been this quiet in a long time. Just full body relaxation with this album. Spectacular.

Wow. This was just about the chillest album I've listened to in a while. Very relaxing, and I have no criticisms to give by extension. Just truly wonderful.

Lowkey nice

A unique band with a style that is all their own. The word that comes to mind is "deconstructurist," as they strip songs down to components and arrange them in new and often unsettling ways. The openingvtrack, "Djed," is a perfect example of this. Not quite electronic, jazz, or rock, it's not easily defined. As an influential Chicago band, I can hear how Jeff Tweedy and Co. borrowed some of this approach for the Wilco album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

I only listened to this once, and I feel like I might give it four stars with repeat listens. Really enjoyed hearing the deconstruction, the twists and turns of Djed were an adventure. Other parts felt a little lacking. Glass Museum is the standout here for me, not often I get to say that they have a hell of a vibraphonist

It was fine nothing super exciting.

Very good record. 3,5

I was surprised how much this jam album held my attention. Especially the 20 minute opener it flows by pretty seamlessly and has a curiosity that kept me entertained. Absolutely loved the cowboy western feel of “Along the Banks of Rivers” I was really trying hard to figure out what worked for me on this tape and what didn’t on the jazz album and really couldn’t find anything just vibes I guess. ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I enjoyed the modern jazz instrumental nature of MILLIONS NOW LIVING WILL NEVER DIE. Too many times, something like this is ruined by a terrible voice. In my opinion the first rack was the worst of the whole album. Djed, is the Egyptian word for endurance and lasting. As a fan of prog rock and jazz, I am accustomed to long tracks, and I respect what they were trying to do here, and perhaps I could have enjoyed it, but "Djed" endures way too long for the minimal changes it makes. It takes until the 12 minute mark for a pivotal change, and by then it has lost most of its momentum, becoming less a dirge, and more a straight up annoyance. The repeats could have been halved and still allowed the track to be a good to great shoe gazer/dream pop/ambient/idm track at half or perhaps even 3/4 of the duration. The album really picks up in quality creatively and with respect to the listener after "Djed" with the exquisite yearning of the "Glass Museum". I can practically see The Glass Menagerie playing out in my head while listening to this track. It was cool hearing vibes rocked out. "A Survey" continues the quality instrumental excursion through a dark and ominous outdoor excursion. "The Taut and Tame" Sounds a bit more like your traditional jazz fusion rock. Not bad, but not groundbreaking either. The double sticking of the drummer with his use of rods rather than sticks is impressive exhibition of performance control and consistency. "Dear Grandma and Grandpa" doesn't really work, but mercifully is short in duration. Ultimately, I have come around to Tortoise's MILLIONS NOW LIVING WILL NEVER DIE being essential enough to be on the list. The production quality is quite high and it is creatively enough of its own thing to merit a spot. I'll take it over many of the terrible country rock and blues rock albums from the early 70s. It is also good enough that I can pinch my nose and djed the hipster cadre that have become attached to this - ahem- vinyl record.

Ambient, instrumental rock music. It was kind of easy to listen to but nothing really grabbed my attention and instead if completely faded into the background. Also I'm not a fan of the way they glued 3 songs together with very simple transitions to make a 20 min behemoth to open the album.

Holy mother of progrock, beginnen met een 20 minuten durend nummer? Ok, ben wel down hier voor! Ik ben er onderhand al achter dat ik Progrock een stuk meer kan waarderen dan ik van tevoren had gedacht, al vind ik het soms wel een beetje geneuzel. De baslijn van het eerste nummer is in elk geval erg lekker en goed op de voorgrond, daar word ik al best wel enthousiast van. Ook vet dat er geen vocals in zitten, althans op minuut 5 heb ik nog niets gehoord. Haha ok Djed is een crazy nummer, het begint lekker atmospherisch, prachtige fijne background muziek en dan na ongeveer 14 minuten begint het te glitchen alsof er iets fout gaat in de muziek. Heel vet gedaan en daarna word het ook iets duisterder lijkt wel? Ok nee, was best wel enthousiast in het begin, maar uiteindelijk is dit wel echt gewoon achtergrond muziek. Heb me prima vermaakt en zelfs nog wat andere nummers in hetzelfde genre doorgeluisterd dankzij Spotify, maar echt blijven hangen? Mwah, dat valt wel mee. Goede werkmuziek, dat wel! FAVO: Djed,

I feel like I need to research this to understand it. Simultaneously a lot going on and also everything blends together.

Huh?

The warm-up band for the soundtrack of the original TRON movie.

very slow but have some good moments