Music Review: Portugal, The Man's “American Ghetto”

Music Review

Portugal, The Man's “American Ghetto”

By our guest blogger, Megan O'Malley

Portugal, The Man doesn’t just have one sound. They are an ever-evolving group of eclectic musicians who strive to create a harmonious and unique sound. Now that their sixth album, entitled “American Ghetto,” has been released, listeners can hear as the group channels the psychedelic groups of old.

“American Ghetto” opens with a song that sounds like it came straight out of the 1960s. It's entitled “Dead Dog,” and listeners are sure to grasp the Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane influences. This album is in the same vein as other neo-pyschedelic bands like the Dandy Warhols or Brian Jonestown Massacre. Fans of the latter group will enjoy this album. “American Ghetto” has a very jam band feel to it. Each song sounds different though and they multitude of instruments makes them good

Some of the highlights include “All of the People” and “Just a Fool.” “Fantastic People” is repetitive but definitely worth a listen. “The Pushers Party” has this weird new retro feel to it, like it was made in the nineties but is meant to sound like it’s from the sixties. It’s interesting and good. Perhaps the strongest song on the album is “Do What We Do.” They use group harmonies in their singing and it creates a wonderful hypnotic sound.

“American Ghetto” is not an album that can be listened to anytime, anywhere. Much like the Brian Jonestown Massacre, you really need to be in the mood for it. The songs are heavy and full sounding, which make it an album that takes more to listen to than others. It would be perfect to put on at a party because each song offers so much that partygoers aren’t likely to get bored. For those people looking for a retro vibe with psychedelic undertones, “American Ghetto” should fit your needs perfectly.