EVIL FRIENDS
Portugal. The Man
(Warner)
The punctuated psych-indie also-rans from Portland via Alaska have been prolific if not groundbreaking since their 2006 emergence – but the simple addition of producer Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton (so important to warrant a front-of-album sticker) elevates their ho-hum melodies to catchy toe-tappers.
While John Gourley is happy to bleat “I’m just a creep in a t-shirt and jeans, I don’t fucking care”, Burton is blasting away in the background with horn-style synths, just begging you to sit up and listen.
Burton’s signature, whether with Gnarls Barkley, Gorillaz, Broken Bells or the Black Key, is radio-friendly crossover weirdness and P.TM’s makeover see them embrace hand-claps, piano chants, orchestral breaks and synth hooks – a long journey from their previous indie prog and metal excursions and an altogether preferable experience.
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