The Brave and the Bold cover

Released 20 years ago

The Brave and the Bold

Tortoise · 2006

39 min · 10 tracks · post-rock

A vibrant blend of eclectic influences, where art rock meets post-rock in a tapestry of rhythmically intricate compositions.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Thunder Road — This reinterpretation of Bruce Springsteen's classic exemplifies Tortoise's knack for transforming familiar material into something uniquely atmospheric and immersive.
  • →
    Some Say (I Got Devil) — The track captures the essence of Tortoise's experimental approach with its layered instrumentation and hypnotic groove, highlighting their art rock roots.
  • →
    Cravo é Canela — By incorporating Brazilian rhythms and textures, this track showcases Tortoise's ability to weave diverse musical influences into cohesive soundscapes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's inventive arrangements and rhythmic complexity highlight Tortoise's unique sound within post-rock.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate complex polyrhythms, creating a layered texture that evolves throughout their duration.
  • The first half of the album maintains a more upbeat tempo, while the latter half introduces slower, more contemplative pieces.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • rhythmic intricacies to explore
  • short bursts of eclectic energy
  • engaging transitions between tracks
  • vibrant soundscapes for focus

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • want continuous high-energy intensity

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in early 2006, The Brave and the Bold marked Tortoise's return after a five-year hiatus following their acclaimed album, Standards. This project showcases their continued evolution as instrumental innovators, exploring new textures and collaborations while refining their distinct sound within the post-rock genre.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Some Say (I Got Devil)

    The moment shifts from a reflective tone to an assertive proclamation about the complexities of life choices.

    This transition marks a pivotal point in the song, blending introspection with boldness that underscores the thematic depth throughout the album.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Cravo é Canela 3:09
  • 2 Thunder Road 6:28
  • 3 It's Expected I'm Gone 3:21
  • 4 Daniel 4:59
  • 5 Love Is Love 3:31
  • 6 Pancho 3:13
  • 7 That's Pep! 2:41
  • 8 Some Say (I Got Devil) 3:33
  • 9 Calvary Cross 5:08
  • 10 On My Own 3:41

What to play next

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Full Tortoise discography Artists like Tortoise
art rock post-rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata