Portugal. The Man - Censored Colors

[OKComputer1016]

Portugal. The Man – Censored Colors
Record Label: Equal Vision
Release Date: September 16, 2008

Portugal. The Man have evolved a decent amount since their last release, which shouldn’t really surprise you because that’s what they always do. They’re not content with putting out the same album twice, and lucky for them, each makeover they’ve undergone has been at least as interesting as the one before (unlike groups such as Phantom Planet, who more or less dropped off the face of the Earth once they abandoned everything that had made them memorable.)

Censored Colors sounds at times as cold and isolated as the state of Alaska, where the band originally came from, but in its warmer moments you’ll be singing along to every word, as with the opener, “Lay Me Back Down”. Whether it’s the cues this song takes from the likes of Supertramp (I’m serious…you’ll know it when you hear it) or the handclaps that round out the middle section, you’re not likely to get this beast out of your head. Kicking off an album with such a sticking tune is ballsy, because it means the rest of the songs have got something to live up to. But, my friends, I’m here to tell you that it’s all good.

The best way to summarize the new PtM sound is ambitious, a tag they were obviously shooting for. It’s impossible to overlook singer John Gourley’s obvious fascination with the Mars Volta, but that’s mostly just in the vocals. Musically, the only Mars Volta song that sounds like this is “The Widow”, but the fact that the whole second half of this album is a suite of shorter songs that fit one into the next seems like further tribute to that band. (By the way, the double background vocals on “All Mine” are what make this suite ever sweeter.)

It’s a difficult task trying to figure out what the guys were listening to in the studio. In fact, I’ve been trying to figure out a ‘Recommended If You Like’ for about 2 hours now. You can spot influences like Led Zeppelin and the Beatles here and there, but who wasn’t influenced by Led Zeppelin and the Beatles? I digress, but the point is this: Censored Colors is beautiful. It might or might not remind you of something else that’s beautiful… but like always, you’ll never pinpoint Portugal. The Man’s sound.

It’s crazy listening to “Chicago”, the rocking Nine Inch Nails sounding track from Waiter: You Vultures and comparing it to these completely mellow numbers. You’ve got to love a band that can progress so much without losing any of their original enthusiasm. Portugal. The Man has never let us down, and it’s exciting to picture what their next album might sound like.

Don’t Believe Me?
www.myspace.com/portugaltheman

Recommended If You Like:
Mars Volta’s vocals, Elliot Smith’s chord progressions, Portugal. The Man’s constant need for change*

*Yes we can!

[Adam Pfleider]

good review...def a higher score though and to answer your question as to what they were listening to in the studio, Gourley was learning songs from a Beatles songbook at the time...that was the initial switch from the riffs to chord progressions

[hockeyguitar99]

I love this album, probably my AOTY.

[PoisonInMyVeins]

i love this album. i really didn't like church mouth at all, so i'm glad this one doesn't disappoint.

[Romancebled]

this album is incredible. one of my favorites of the year.

[SmokieB.High]

Album of the year for sure... until the new fear before the march of flames(Yeah i called them that) record comes out

[Keagan Ilvonen]

This record is amazing.

[thedondeluge]

I love this Record. Album of the Year and album of my life. Sorry Vheissu. Good review.

[kylestarr]

I think PtM deserves a little more of the originality card than to say that Gourley's fascinated by TMV. He has always had a higher register similar to that of Blixer's but that doesn't mean that he pulling influence from him. I'd say there is more of an influence from older soul/blues artists than Blixer.

Aside from that, I can't stop spinning this record. It's incredible. Not quite as hard hitting as Church Mouth but they definitely progressed the deep south/soulful feel on this record. "Bellies Are Full" was my favorite track on Church Mouth and I like that they pulled from that style more so than their others.

Between this and Cold War Kids, I don't know which will land at the top but it has serious AOTY potential.

[Un'Aria Ancora]

If I had to recommend one album to someone needing new music it would be Church Mouth.
This album is right up there with it though. Different styles, yes, but both equally amazing and in the top 10 for the albums of their own year.
Much love.

[jbaseball44]

very solid album

[redalibi]

I bought this record and it's so-so. Still a great band.

[Özgür Kurtoglu]

I really don't like the "Don't Believe Me?"-thing, feels kinda obnoxious even if it's not meant to be...

Will check this out though.

[gladnads]

I don't like it as much as Church Mouth or Waiter... but it's still a pretty solid record.

[Dr. Acula]

Pretty good review. I really love this band.

[PaintMeBlue]

amazing record, they've never disappointed me with any of their releases...

[LongDistanceDrunk]

Amazing album, poor review. You really didn't discuss the album or any songs on it. All you did was describe how their sound had changed, influences and how good the band /album is. I really like this album and I hope staff reviews it so we can get a better review. You also failed to mention how the second half is one continuing song split into separate tracks just like It's Complicated Being a Wizard

[gahbee__x]

One of my favorite albums released this year.

[OKComputer1016]

awesome im glad everybody agrees. i definitely think a lot of critics overlook this band, and that totally sucks

[SmokieB.High]

awesome im glad everybody agrees. i definitely think a lot of critics overlook this band, and that totally sucks
hopefully this will be thier release that gets everyones attention

[B-Bones]

This CD is amazing. I think the score should be at least in the mid-90's or so.

[Ryzenfall]

I want to hear this. Lasting value 9.25? I want to hear this.

[circa jusTurna]

I really like this better than Church Mouth, but Waiter! You Vultures will always be my favorite album by them. Censored Colors progresses more toward a sound I like rather than the folky feel of Church Mouth.

[airik625]

Nice review. Love this album, love this band.

[MyWorldEntire]

Great album

[bostonryan]

anatomy of a ghost was a much better band, too bad they had to break up and make garbage like this

[Clark]

anatomy of a ghost was a much better band, too bad they had to break up and make garbage like this
You have that exactly backwards. Anatomy of a Ghost was generic scene bullshit. I couldn't even listen to their entire album.

I'm not feeling this album yet. I love their last two, though, so I'll just have to give it time.

[bostonryan]

You have that exactly backwards. Anatomy of a Ghost was generic scene bullshit. I couldn't even listen to their entire album.

I'm not feeling this album yet. I love their last two, though, so I'll just have to give it time.



when i was 15 and picked up the anatomy of a ghost album it was awesome. when i listened to portugal the man the first time, i wanted to throw up. i like "indie", some bands quite a bit. (decemberists, iron and wine, etc.) this just sounds awful to me and i cant find any redeeming qualities about it.

[bostonryan]

You have that exactly backwards. Anatomy of a Ghost was generic scene bullshit. I couldn't even listen to their entire album.

I'm not feeling this album yet. I love their last two, though, so I'll just have to give it time.



p.s. no offense, because i like most of the bands you have listed on your profile, and maybe your taste in music has changed, but those are pretty "scene" choices as well by most standards

[Brandao]

probably my 2008 album

[Sic Transit Zeb]

I need to check this out

[jmg85]

I'd have to say Portugal. The Man has put out the AOTY every year. or at least in the top 5 albums. I even put It's Complicated Being A Wizard at that point. all of their music is genius/brilliant!

[PRoman]

great album could not find church mouth so i ordered it excited to hear it

[nickymetal]

I felt like Church Mouth came off more like Led Zeppelin than this one. Censored Colors feels more like Pink Floyd in my opinion. One of the hardest working and most consistently awesome bands around today. Censored Colors is probably my AOTY or at least second place...

[tipoftheiceberg]

i just can't like this band
it feels like they're trying way too hard to be "different" and don't pull it off too well

[Clark]

p.s. no offense, because i like most of the bands you have listed on your profile, and maybe your taste in music has changed, but those are pretty "scene" choices as well by most standards
Some of them are, true, but they actually progress their style and genre, some of them defining the scene itself. Anatomy of a Ghost just sounded like a bunch of already established bands (Coheed and Cambria especially) thrown together and without any of the redeeming qualities of the original bands.

[bostonryan]

Some of them are, true, but they actually progress their style and genre, some of them defining the scene itself. Anatomy of a Ghost just sounded like a bunch of already established bands (Coheed and Cambria especially) thrown together and without any of the redeeming qualities of the original bands.



hm, its funny you say that because aside from the second stage turbine blade, i never really liked coheed but i always liked AOAG. i think AOAG also had a lot of sentimental value to me because my best friend and i talked for the first time because i saw him wearing an AOAG teeshirt haha

[ThrownAwayKyle]

Finally, a censored colors review...

Awesome album, okay review. It was well put together but should talk about the individual songs and moments of the album a bit more. You mentioned "Lay Me Back Down" which is an amazing song, but what about Colors? And I? Salt? Never Pleased? Hard Times?, okay, i guess every song stands out, maybe it is a bit hard to choose the album's best.

I dont think John's vocals are influenced much by Mars Volta, im not saying theres no influence at all but theres not much except for a few moments that are really comparable. Its definitely still more of an old school/soul/indie/prog feel. Johns trying new things with his voice though, thats great, and the backup vocals are just too good.

The one thing I completly agree with though, is really... what can you compare P.TM to? they are very unique and almost revolutionary at making new music. They are blowing up with this release and I cant wait to see where there career takes them.

My album of the year for sure!


oh, and anatomy of a ghost really reminds me of second stage turbine blade. so there you go. hahah

[TheSkunk]

i went to sunrise today and ordered this. so excited!

[porttheman]

awesome cd!!!

[SmokieB.High]

anatomy of a ghost was a much better band, too bad they had to break up and make garbage like this
Waiter was originally suppose to be released as Anatomy of a ghost... so this is where they have progressed to and it shows the musical talent that was involved in the AOAG project even if they were going for a "scene" sound it was still a great album

[SmokieB.High]

i went to sunrise today and ordered this. so excited!
No HMV?

[thedondeluge]

there isn't a single track on this album that is bad. I love it.

[Clark]

I'm really starting to dig this album, finally.

[Vanderbilt]

Amazing album, poor review. You really didn't discuss the album or any songs on it. All you did was describe how their sound had changed, influences and how good the band /album is. I really like this album and I hope staff reviews it so we can get a better review. You also failed to mention how the second half is one continuing song split into separate tracks just like Abbey Road.
yurp

[streydogg]

This album sounds great after 1 listen. Which only means that it will only sound better. Such a laid back feel to this band. Feels like it's the 70's or something.

Great album..the review could have been more in depth but thanks for reviewing this nonetheless.

[rckstr29]

How are The Mars Volta and Elliot Smith similar at all?

[Jamos4184]

Just picked this up at Best Buy today for 9.99 along with the new Copeland album. Definitely happy with both purchases.

[drcroc]

Loved Church Mouth, haven't really been interesting in listening to this record after a few once-overs, however.

Disliked the TMV-esque production on a few tracks, and longer songs. What made P.TM interesting to me initially were gritty riffs and western vocals. This release has a more progressive feel, in both production and songwriting.

Not unimpressed, but slightly disappointed...

[streydogg]

Great album. It's so well though out and produced. These guys are talented as fuck.