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It’s impressive enough that a band from Alaska made it anywhere near the mainstream of indie rock; let alone has proven to be one of the most inventive bands of recent years. Portugal The Man has become famous for producing albums like indie little test bunnies, and 2010 will continue to see that type of music procreation. Their new album American Ghetto is quite divergent from their older releases; the quality possibly coming as a surprise to fans of their older and more organic psychedelia. Above all else, the new material from Portugal. The Man is mainly pop with a touch of psychedelic rock.
From the opening riff to the opening track “The Dead Dog” listeners will immediately get a feel for the album and witness the brilliant hybrid of organic psychedelia and pop that Portugal The Man has created. “You’ll find me at the dead dog, boy, I gotta warn you, these people didn’t try” croons frontman John Baldwin Gourley in his perfectly high pitched vocal style; setting the tone for what is a highly emotionally yet infinitely catchy album. American Ghetto is a pop progression, a more effect driven Portugal The Man project; a testament to the range of their musical ability.
Standout tracks on the album including “All My people”, “Some Men” and the beautifully arranged final track “When the War Ends” make American Ghetto an incredibly diverse album full of layered guitars, upbeat indie rock drumming, organic breakdowns, and plenty of ambient effects to keep you hooked the entire time. As usual, the introspective and deep lyrical content creates a grounded and calming mood throughout the album. “Keep your hands by your side, soon will be your time” illustrates the hopefulness and celebratory tone of the album; a great combination of the light and dark.
During the first listen, you might be trying to figure out where Portugal The Man dredged up this pop sound from, and by second listen you won’t care. Despite the overall upbeat instrumentals and screaming guitars, tracks such as “Fantastic Place” and “Just a Fool” perfectly capture the old style of Portugal. The Man’s music. American Ghetto is soulful, deep, and fresh enough to compare with any release of 2010 thus far, a further illustration of the band’s ability to produce bad ass release after bad ass release. Solid from front to back with lyrical content similar to Satanic Satanist, Portugal The Man and Equal vision are honestly producing some of the most inventive music that the indie music scene has seen in quite awhile.
A large percentage of fans of Portugal The Man’s music as well as the newly evolved form of soulful indie rock won’t mind their departure from more organic indie. Get ready for what will likely be your favorite Portugal. The Man album until the release of their next one.
