Portugal. The Man - Church Mouth (2007)

“Church Mouth” is the very reason why I started listening to Portugal. The Man. The second release has a southern feel, the double-sided lyrics and the style of the band offers much to the listen as any other of their albums.

Highlights of the album would have to be the band, the music, and the words. The band is highly in tune, playing in sync with each other. Their harmony with each other either gives a song a Baptizes chorus or an eerie effect. This adds to the music as they mix blues and gospel with their already jazz, rock and R&B feel. This is hinted at more than once in songs like: “Dawn,” “Children,” and “The Bottom.” Each song is full with lyrics that speech out of each side of the mouth.

The burned bulbs of the album would really have to be “speed bumps.” Basically something that slows down the album which can take place from song to song or even in one song. Such as “The Bottom” where we get the drawn out end chorus which just slows down the song. I guess these can be forgiven with an awesome record that “Church Mouth” is.

But this album is really a slower record, meant to be enjoy on a lazy day or on a drive one sunny day. This is why I really do like the album, it’s meant to be slow and allow you to digest everything brought to your ears. Though I understand this, I have to give “Church Mouth” 4 out of 5 stars. A great album, but if you’re new to Portugal. The Man then you might want to pick up “Censored Colors” first.

Enjoy the, and yours’, music.

Cheers!

Portugal. The Man - "Censored Colors" (2008)

Portugal. The Man has not lost their touch with their anticipated third release, “Censored Colors.” If there were ever a starter album for a band, then any new fan needs to pick this up right away.

The flow of the album is so smooth and subtle that you can barely notice the spaces between the tracks, making it sound as though the whole album is nothing but one long, epic song. Though, I do have to point out that the later portion of the album is supposed to be in this design. I have only heard a hand full of bands that can honestly pull that off, including Meshuggah.

The music sounds great, you just get the feel of blues, jazz, rock, folk and indie from each track. As well, the addiction of brass and strings instruments onto the album only helps fuel Portugal’s unique soundscape. The harmony each band member has between each other is beautiful and well executed on all the tracks. The best example would have to be the song, “Salt.” That’s just one of favorite songs that will never leave my mp3 player.

The main, if not only problem I had with the album is with John Gourley. Maybe I should restate that; I like Gourley, I think he has an amazing voice. He just rambles from time to time, which doesn’t help to understand his already confusing and diverse lyrics. Thankfully you have the lyrics on hand to help you understand, so no big deal, I guess. If anything, sometimes the album just drags, and you just want them to get on with it (ie, track 6: “Out and In and In and Out”).

One idea I took away from this album is that it’s a telling of African American’s hardships through the years. I know it seems weird and kind of insane to say, but if you listen and look carefully at the lyrics, you can get that from them. “Lay Me Back Down” could be about the Slaves coming over to America from Africa and go from there. I mean, even the title seems to point to this idea. I’ll example this some other time if someone, anyone, wants me to.

Closing thoughts about the album is that I enjoyed and I can’t help but like it. I find myself singing alongside the band, dancing to the music, even going as far as playing air guitar to the song, “Hard Times.” This album deserves 5 out of 5 stars. This should be in your collection from here to eternity, so go out there and get “Censored Colors.” Enjoy your music!
Cheers.

PS: Here’s a song from the album. Have a listen to it if you’re want to hear what they sound like.