It's About Time A Rock Band Made Another Deal With The Devil

Last night I went to go see Portugal. The Man. I've been listening to their new album, Church Mouth, incessantly for the past few months. The album is somewhat different than their previous releases incorporating a classic southern-blues rock vs. a rock-synth combination. In my opinion each album/ep is better than their last. On 'Church Mouth' you might initially hear a White Stripes influence, but the sound is bigger than that; perhaps it is what the White Stripes would have liked to achieve if 1/2 their band was a bit more talented. On the other hand, I've read reviews that discuss how Portugal. The Man is influenced by Led Zeppelin. Great. Saying that a rock band is influenced by Led Zeppelin is like saying the Pope is influenced by Jesus Christ.

But it is a valid comparison; and a comparison that even the most discriminating music lovers will agree with especially after seeing them perform live. As a group, Portugal. The Man, is incredibly tight and each member plays like he is trying to out-do the musical awesomeness coming from the band mates around him, and that was fun to see. Cliches aside, while you will hear the influences of greats like Led Zeppelin, Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Santana and Black Sabbath, the band continues to exhibit the fruits of their musical experimentation which may or may not be the direct result of a faustian bargain.