Sunday ACL Fest Record Reviews
Portugal the Man
Woodstock (Atlantic)
By Alejandra Ramirez, Fri., Oct. 6, 2017
In 2011, these Alaskans joined Atlantic Records for In the Mountain in the Cloud, then teamed up with acclaimed producer Danger Mouse for the eclectic Evil Friends (2013), so why not aspire to new commercial heights on Woodstock? Built along their psych rock foundations, rock bombast ("Live in the Moment," "Rich Friends") and EDM ("Number One," "Easy Tiger") are favored over the group's messier edges of prog ambition. "I'm a rebel just for kicks now" states "Feel It Still." It's not only a hollow testament, it's a sell-out. (7:15pm, HomeAway stage)