Posted August 28, 200816 yr Portugal. The Man 'Censored Colours' Equal Vision Records 16 September 2008 http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper879/stills/f8by0253.jpg Synopsis ›› Portugal. The Man is an American indie four-piece from Wasilla, Alaska, USA. It consists of former members of the band Anatomy of a Ghost. The group was but is no longer signed to Fearless Records. They are releasing their 3rd full length, Censored Colors this September under their independent record label Approaching AIRbaloons, which currently has a partnership with Equal Vision Records. Musically, Portugal. The Man's style is one of variation. Their style is both rooted in the indie, progressive and experimental genre, but their songs also contain elements of soul, blues, and folk music. At times, the band chooses to utilize drum machines and/or synth loops to anchor their songs, while at other times, the band chooses to use the more conventional guitar, bass, and acoustic drum configuration that is characteristic of rock music. The band also utilizes the keyboard in much of its music. In addition to their instrumentals, Gourley's distinctly higher-pitched vocals add to Portugal. The Man's unique sound. Lyrically, Gourley provides the band with abstract and/or enigmatic lyrics that rely heavily on imagery. Gourley's verses are usually delivered in the first person singular or plural. http://www.music-reviewer.com/images/stories/jreviews/tn/tn_2082_ptmcd_1217899295.jpg 01 Lay Me Back Down 02 Colors 03 And I 04 Salt 05 Created 06 Out and In and In and Out 07 Intermission 08 New Orleans 09 Never Pleased 10 Sit Back and Dream 11 Hard Times 12 Our Times 13 All Mine 14 1989 15 Our Way 'Censored Colours' Review (Musicreviewer) ›› Alaska doesn’t produce a lot of rock musicians and especially ones with a progressive flair. Portugal. The Man produces an excellent record for their third effort, Censored Colors. Some people may have listened in the past and not liked the quirkiness of the band or maybe they didn’t like the fact that their name is actually two sentences. Whatever your nonsense reason, listen again. This band has grown into an all-out musical experience. These songs were written while being recorded. Who does that? Who does that and gets away with an excellent record!? You can’t beat a good piano line throughout an album and it is showcased from the first track, Lay Me Back Down. The whole album sounds as if it was grabbed out of the late seventies and then re-mastered. There is not one song that is not expertly played, sung, and produced. And I could just as easily been conceived by Led Zeppelin. Salt dreamed by Emerson Lake & Palmer. Every song hits its note and the band makes each song become its own. They even keep true to their progressive roots by giving an odd intermission to break up the set leading into the more experimental half of the album. Portugal. The Man has always given the world thoughtful and excellently played music. Censored Colors delivers itself wonderfully and doesn’t let up from the first second in originality and wonder. Portugal. The Man is a very defining statement for a band and Censored Colors lives up to such a statement. Who needs preparation? If they can put out an album like this one with little pre-recording work, they need to do it every time. Must Listen: Colors and Lay Me Back Down Deeper Enjoyment: 1989 and And I This album is absolutely stunning but then again this is Portugal. The Man were talking about. Let's see if this can have some blog love and see them breakout a wee bit. They more than deserve it.
August 28, 200816 yr I think this is pretty great, it does seem to get better later on as it flows through. I really like the linking between 'Hard Times', 'Our Times' and 'All Mine'. '1989' is my favourite I would say.
Create an account or sign in to comment