The annoyingly punctuated Portugal. The Man is a psychedelic rock band originally from Wasilla, Alaska, home of … oh, what was that crazy lady’s name again?
They made their way down to their current home, Portland, Oregon, in the mid-2000s and have been cranking out albums ever since, gathering momentum and popularity along the way. Last year, they got signed with Atlantic Records; their major label debut, In the Mountain in the Cloud, was released in July.
The closest musical comparison I can come up with is MGMT — psychedelic atmospherics, funky bass lines beneath, white-boy-soul falsetto over the top — but there are also hints of Animal Collective, Panda Bear, and Yeasayer. Though I have not seen them live, reports say the experience is improvisational, jammy, and much heavier than what’s on the albums. Sounds like just my speed!
The band has been kind enough to give Grist an exclusive first look at two new videos, filmed by friends of lead singer/guitarist John Gourley up in Alaska, which is, Gourley says, “where I feel the most inspired and the most at peace. When you’re out there surrounded by natural beauty, you realize it’s not all about you.” As you’ll see, both videos have pretty strong green themes.
I really like this one, for the song “Got It All,” because it captures the extraordinary beauty of wind turbines:
This one is for the song “Sleep Forever”:
Thanks to the band for thinking of Grist. If you’re in the mood for some psychedelic brain adjustment — and these days, who isn’t? — check them out.
