poppedmusic

Portamento

Released 5th September 2011

The difficult second album, for some it can be a career maker or deal breaker. For The Drums it surely has to be a career maker. I tried not to have high hopes though, the first single to be aired and released from Portamento was the magnificent Money, and I was hopeful that it would be a good indication of what was to come, yet I also know that so often it really isn’t the case. I needn’t have worried my little head though, not only is this album totally not a let down, it’s actually, in my very humble opinion, even better than their self titled debut. That is a bold statement to make, but the more I’ve listened to it the more I believe this. One reason is because they have taken their initial sound and style and given it a very slight twist. It feels less rigid somehow, a little like they know their own skin and their own style and are happy enough to experiment with it a little.

Searching For Heaven is the track that has moved furthest away from their sound and it does stand out on the album because it is so different. There is a very definite electronica influence and experimental feel here that hasn’t really been explored before. It was unexpected and despite its difference it still really fits in with the album and I’m not even sure how they have managed to do that. It’s smack bang in the middle of quite a shoe gazy indie guitar and band lead album. I would love to have had a few more tracks with this kind of vibe, perhaps it’s something they will use further on in their career. Hard To Love also holds a few little nods toward this electonica influence, the bass, and even the drumming sounds as though it was done electronically, but yet not, if that makes sense? There is also a very small reoccurring keyboard melody that pops up now and then as well as some occasional bleeps. Book Of Revelations, the opening track, also starts with the tiniest hint to this electronic influence, but it’s over in literally a second or so. Harmonies and hand clapping are the name of The Drum’s game in a lot of their music and this track is no different, it has it all in abundance and is a nice pacey piece to fully get your attention and that is exactly what it does.  Mixing somewhat morbid lyrics with an overly cheerful melody is also something that The Drums like to pick up on and this kind of does that, just a smidgen, but it’s nice to have something a little familiar sounding at the beginning of the album to ease you in.

The single Money still remains one of my favourite tracks that I’ve heard in recent months of this kind of sound. I just love the sentiment behind it and the fact that it is so god damn cheery despite the song’s theme and lyrics. In a way it’s a really interesting slant on a love song – “if I had a gun I would trade in my gun”. I’m not sure exactly what it is about that specific lyric that I like but it really gets me. Almost as if he’s saying his saftey is secondary to his want to buy something nice for someone. Or perhaps I just like the fact that he would use the money from trading in his gun to get something nice rather than holding up the jewellery shop with a pair of tights over his head, which I guess, for some people does cross their mind? Who knows, but I like it anyway!

There are a lot of tracks to be found on Portamento if what you want is a good dance or sing along, and who doesn’t want to do that at the best of times? What You Were is one of my personal shake my stuff tracks. It’s less shoegazy than some of their tracks can be and the brass elements are a total winner, I want a little more of that please. If it is shoegazy dancing you feel like doing, one of the better tracks for that is Please Don’t Leave, less upbeat and some clicking rather than clapping and a little depressing if I’m honest, so perfect for having a good mooch. The Drums have really grown on me since I first heard this album, not only do I really like listening to this one but it’s made me revisit their début, something I don’t do often. Often the problem with second albums is because there’s not been enough time to write it, a rushed album full of empty lyrics and boring melodies by numbers is never going to make for a good album, so considering there’s not been a huge gap between albums I’m quite impressed with the quality and the general lack of filler here, just as surprised as I am to find exactly how much I enjoy listening to this. Just a quick note also… the last track, How It Ended… perfect ending, one that leaves you wanting more.