Rob's Album Of The Week: Portugal. The Man's Evil Friends

by Rob Duguay

When it comes to the new wave of independent bands who always succeed in pushing the envelope in musical creativity and brilliance, it's hard to name a band that can top the originality and groove of Portland, Oregon's Portugal. The Man. A mix of enlightening lyrics, epic solos and danceable rhythms that pay tribute to nearly every 60's & 70's rock band, after you give Portugal. The Man a listen I guarantee you'll be hooked. If you're looking for a place to start, you should definitely grab their newest album Evil Friends that actually came out today. It shows the band getting more indulged on classic rock aesthetics that makes it as nostalgic as it is contemporary.

Produced by one of the best minds in the music business in Danger Mouse who you might know as one half of the neo-soul duo Gnarls Barkley and from his work with acts like Electric Guest, Beck and The Black Keys, it's always a given that Danger Mouse will maximize a band's potential on one album and chances are he'll work with that band again and the band will progress in the most righteous of ways. That's exactly what happened with Portugal. The Man on their new album, every song shows how forceful their psych-rock can be to the fullest. It shows a band at the top of their game and I absolutely adore this album.

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Yea I might be biased, some people long for the days that I completely trash an album. Maybe when Justin Bieber or Skrillex puts out their next album I'll make it my worst album of the week just for kicks. My apologies, I'm just a guy who likes rock & roll. Speaking of liking things, this is the part when I have the arduous task of picking my favorite songs off of my album of the week. It's never simple but I bring it all upon myself with this blog and my music taste. Anyways, here goes something:

The title track "Evil Friends" is the closest thing to a punk song I've ever heard Portugal. The Man do, perfect prancercizing music that will get your feet moving. "Hip Hop Kids" shows a plethora of guitar riffs and harmonizing that definitely has that groove to please the ears. "Holy Roller (Hallelujah)" has lead singer and guitarist John Gourley singing the chorus from what sounds like through a megaphone, something I wish bands did more of. "Someday Believers" starts off with a down and dirty guitar riff that gets you to dive right in and enjoy. Like I always say, don't just sit there and take my opinion as gospel. Every track off of Evil Friends is bound to rock your soul.

Portugal. The Man just played at The Boston Calling Music Festival a couple weeks ago and they'll be playing The Governor's Ball on Randall's Island in New York City on June 9th. Until they come to your neighborhood, get Portugal. The Man's Evil Friends. It's like a really really good positive drug for your ears.