The Silver Sun Pickups

So since there hasn’t been much news from the Silversun Pickups camp, I thought I would do another artist review on a band that I have been in love with for the last few years. Now I love getting new music in my mailbox, or have someone recommend a band that I need to hear, call me a snob but I have a pick of music that I always keep close to me, and is always a safe pick. I first heard about Portugal. The Man when I was working at a record store. There debut CD came in the stack of promo’s. From the first time I heard them I was hooked. To peg them as just another Indie act would sell them short. Most of there critics have labeled them as Indie, but after giving there albums a spin you will find yourself questioning what subset of music they fit best in. The band consists of former members of Anatomy of a Ghost, and hail from the small town of Wasilla, Alaska.

There music has been best described as a groove driven with hip-hop influences as well as Indie hooks all on top of Falsetto delivery. Before Portugal. The Man was formed, founding members of the band moved from Alaska to Portland Oregon, with the intent on writing music and touring with Anatomy of a Ghost. The band only lasted about 2 years and released one album through Fearless records. After the break up, the two founding members, John Gourley, and Zach Carothers starting playing with Wesley Hubbard, Nick Klein, and Harvey Tumbleson. With a solid line-up the band released there first EP through Fearless Records called Under Waves of the Brown Coat. The EP slipped under the radar, but helped to build steam for there first full length release, Waiter. “You Vultures!”. The album followed with a nationwide tour with such acts as The Fall of Troy, HORSE the band, and Action, Action. In the later part of 2006 the band released The Digital EP, Devil Say I, I Say Air. The EP contained two new tracks as well two tracks from there full length and was released through iTunes and there website.

With the close of 2006 Portugal. The Man returned to the studio to work on there second full length. During this time Wesley Hubbard, Nick Klein, and Harvey Tumbleson, departed the band and would no longer be part of the touring line-up. Jason Sechrist took over drum duties, and the band stated that the touring line-up would be varied and not set in stone, except for the three members. In July of 07 the band released The Church Mouth. The album was more Indie rock inspired and had less of a sample sound then there previous full length release. The band toured the US as well as in Europe is support of the album. With each release the band is getting closer to dialing in the sound that has set them apart in the Indie world. Church Mouth showed that the band, while still in its infancy, is able to produce music that is filled with emotion as well as a good listen and easy to digest. If you haven’t heard of them or picked up any of there albums or EP’s, I highly recommend that you do.

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