The Drums: Portamento

The Drums
Portamento
Frenchkiss Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: The Drums return quickly with their sophomore effort Portamento.

Album Review:
Brooklyn's The Drums are back already with their sophomore effort Portamento and the record employs the theory if it ain't broke don't fix it. The band once again brings The Smiths, Strokes and surf pop blend on Portamento that works on some tracks but finds the band treading water on others. When they hit their mark, like on first single "Money", the Drums sound in full force, as lead vocalist Jonny Pierce so simply sings "I want to buy you something but I don't have any money". The song becomes instantly memorable as the band softly chimes in on the melody and represents why we liked their debut so much. The hum along "Days" could have been included on their debut and is all Drums, as it just has a nice flowing swagger that is quickly likable. What made The Drums a success on the first round also holds Portamento back a bit because some of their repetitiveness becomes just that and as you hit the second half of the record, differentiating tracks becomes more difficult. The band also drives a synthesizer as its main instrument on "Searching For Heaven" that just seemed disruptive to the records flow. Overall, Portamento has its moments but still seems a bit rushed to release since their last record just came out last year. The Drums are a band that can make a snazzy single and if you liked their debut you will still dig Portamento but it may leave you still wanting more.

Key Tracks: "Days", "Money", "If He Likes It Let Him Do It"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Beach Fossils
The Smiths
The Wake

The Drums: The Drums [Fire Note Review 7/20/10] (#17 Top 50 2010)

The Drums Website
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Frenchkiss Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony