I haven't wanted to listen to an album as often as I have with this in a long time. It's unbelievably infectious, and has a kind of charm to it all the way through that makes me keep coming back to it, right from the sunny music (think happy and maybe a little faster Pink Floyd/Beatles), the irony in the name of the album, the artwork, the lyrical delivery, everything about this album just begs you to listen to it more and more.

If you've followed Portugal. The Man much at all, you know two things that are sure with them. They'll put out at least one album a year, and it will be different than anything they've done in the past, while still sounding entirely like themselves (if that makes sense). Those trends continue here.

The Satanic Satanist definitely isn't as ambitious as Censored Colors was. I liked this album more immediately than I did with Censored Colors, but I don't think it's quite as good of an album. But that is more of a compliment than anything. Everything about this album is more immediately gratifying, but there is (so far) enough to keep you coming back, hearing things you hadn't before. This album is solid, and stands on its own very well. Gourley's voice is again, one of the best out there right now. Something about him almost reminds me of John Lennon. Maybe it's just the way he comes off because their voices aren't that similar, but there's still just something there.

This is a great album that you need to pick up. While you're at it, grab their older stuff too. It's more than worth it, I can't recommend this band enough. My favorite tracks here have to be "People Say", "The Sun", "Guns and Dogs", and "Mornings".

The tone of this album is more melodic than previous for The Man, but the songs have a groove and up lifting sense of nostalgia. Tracks like "The Sun" and "The Woods" deliver. Over all tracks flow into each other seamlessly. The cd case itself is a massive folding die-cut! a True hail back to the days of vinyl. It is a true work of are and a joy to look at while listening to the jams within.

Portugal. the Man has been cranking out albums like nobody's business, this being their fourth in four years. However, all have been tremendous, and have showcased their uncanny knack for progressing their sound and keeping us, the captive audience, on our toes. This release is simply amazing.

People Say 9/10

Work All Day 9/10

Lovers in Love 8/10

The Sun 11/10

The Home 12/10

The Woods 8.5/10

Guns and Dogs 11.5/10

Do You 9.5/10

Everyone is Golden 10/10

Mornings 9/10

The concept is terrific, and you can sense the change in mood throughout. If you love catchy, original music, give this a spin. If you hate catchy, original music, still try it. These guys are sensational, and they deserve to get way more attention. Definitely album of the year thus far.

I was recently introduced to them and can't get enough. Highly recommend them to anyone who listens to alternative/indie music.

I discovered Portugal. The Man day in college, some five years ago, in a smoky music sess with some friends. The Satanic Satanist (SS) was the first album I heard (though the fourth they've produced), and I fell for it hard. What wasn't there to like? With happy-go-lucky melodies (reminiscent of the Beatles), a groovy baseline, and that soulful electric guitar (think "Pink Floyd)," this album had me HOOKED. I listened over and over again, then advanced to Censored Colors--one of their earlier, deeper, more somber albums. I've been with them ever since. And they're a good band to be fond of: they're prolific music producers (roughly 1 album every year); each album sounds UNIQUE; and they kick ass in live performances. I saw them perform at Outside Lands in GoldenGate Park last year and John Gourley's voice is as hauntingly beautiful onstage as on the record.

Two things make this band extraordinary. First, all of their albums are completely and utterly unique. Yet they all bear the unmistakable imprint of PTM.... which brings me to my second point. These guys can SING! Not only are they talented instrumentalists, but nearly every song incorporates flawless harmonization between 2 or 3 of the members. It's rare to find a band that has so many talented voices. It adds a new dimension of richness to the music (think Mumford and Sons) that leaves you humming the refrains long after you've stopped listening.

As for this specific album, where do I start? I think the whole point of this album is a tongue-in-cheek mockery of religion. Far from sounding "satanic," the music is more of a groovy lovefest, eliciting warm feelings of happiness. From what I can gather, "The Satanic Satanists" advocates the "secular" values of humanism and brother-love--essentially asking us to enjoy life, revel in the human spirit, and love one another while we're at it. I've listed below my thoughts on the individual songs.

1. People Say (10/10) - This was the album's most popular single, and remains one of the band's biggest hits. I've played it over so many times my friends think I'm crazy. The album opens on a sardonic religious tone ("save me/ I can't be saved... I don't need no soul.") The rest of the song comments on the War on Terror, taking a swipe at Bush Jr ("I'm a president's son/ I've got no soul") and the casualness of war ("May have lost a million men, but we've got a million more"). The lyrics are a little simplified (and a little politicized) but I've always been more melody-driven than lyrical. I think the catchiness of the refrain makes this song most memorable. The melody's richness is PTM at its best.

2. Work All Day (7/10) - A subtle change in tempo, and you won't be able to stop bobbing your head. The background "oohs" and "ahhs" give this otherwise-simple beat a lot of texture. I think this song has the weakest lyrics on the album (something about selling your soul?), but it's not a weakness by any means.

3. Lovers in Love (9/10) - How can you not love Gourley's voice on this one? Right out of the gate, it comes swinging out with soul power. This song reminds me of the 1960's, and not just because the lyrics evoke the Summer of Love ("lovers in love/ lovers loving love just like these lovers are loving in love"). It's more of the grooviness. I especially enjoy the back-up vocals begging you to go "higher and higher and higher."

4. The Sun (9/10) - the opening notes of this song are stunning. One piano, one voice; good singing, good talent. Then the song busts into its open, rhythmic body. The singing is still soft, like the rest of the album, but every note is flawlessly executed. The lyrics beg us not to waste our time looking up at the sun ("waiting for the man to come"), but rather to ("to climb down to earth / because we are all, we are all just lovers, born of earth and light like all these others"). A poetic nod towards humanism and the joy of life. Very catchy tune.

5. The Home (7/10) - Not too sure what this one's about... maybe has to do with nonconformity with the religious crowd ("I don't run with sheep/ the shepherd can't herd me"). Again, a steady, catchy foot-tapper, but probably the most forgettable song on the album. Once again Gourley's voice carries the day, powering through the repetitious ending ("I will make my home here"), over and over again.

6. The Woods (8/10) - A very cool, groovy bass beat walks you into this song. The lyrics pine for life back "when I lived in the woods/ all the people were all right". A slower song, with the same flavor as the rest of the album. If you haven't fallen for the falsetto by now, you probably won't be sold on the other songs.

7. Guns and Dogs (9/10) - It's nice to hear the falsetto singing drop back down to terra firma for a change. Now the band is "looking for a place where we don't fear heaven," but they've got no luck. Gourley softly concedes, " Though I never pray, God reigns today," adding later "once you crawl in, you'll never come back again." No memorable refrains, but the "ooh" "ahh" back-ups are glorious here.

8. Do You (10/10) - This song takes me to that higher plane: that haunting intro segment, juxtaposed with those heavy, smashing guitars. The music swings from sweetness to madness, from heaven to hell, and back again. The lyrics strike at the heart of the modern man's fear of religion (" Do you, do you fear the marching of the lamb/ And do you believe there's loyalty in Man?"). Definitely a winner.

9. Everyone is Golden (10/10) - Same recipe as the last song. There's no other way to describe this song except "golden." Gourley brings you down from a cloud ("diamonds shine like stars under the ground") and leaves you humming the refrain "everyone is golden" over and over. I think the song is ironically beautiful, because the lyrics speak to me about burying our soldiers ("stick another needle in the ground") and letting their stars "shine from underground"

10. Let You Down (9/10) - Haunting, chilling, this song is an out-of-body experience. I always imagine myself drifting through deep space, looking back on the earth ("And watch the world spinnin' round/ and know it's alright alright alright alright"). Not a party favorite, but if you're listening alone, you'll be suspended on this number.

11. Mornings (9/10) - A strong ending, if a little despondent in its lyrics. The opening guitar chords are as beautiful as anything on Floyd's Wish You Were Here. The wailing, breezy guitar feels like it's plunging you off the end of the earth. The song is an amalgamation of the rest of the album: the oohing back-up harmonies, the strong melody, the sadness underneath... everything ties together in the last minute, ending on a note of perfect sweetness.

I've shared this album with a lot of people, and most of its criticism stems from two points. Some people think the lyrics are a little too repetitive, and it's true that PTM tends to "mainstream" by repeating their refrains. I think the originality of the lyrics overshadow this--and the band also tends to spice things up with instrumental solos, and breakaway "trip out" jams mid-song. Other people just don't like Gourley's voice, and for this I say, to each his own. I think that disliking Gourley for being "too feminine" or "too girly" is somewhat immature... but I can understand why one might be hesitant to throw on this record at a college party. It takes a certain kind of music-lover to dig PTM's experimentalism and that sexy falsetto. I would advise people to check out "In a Mountain In a Cloud" (their latest album) for a different taste of the band. If you're into a harder rock scene, both "Waiter, You Vulture" and "Churchmouth" swing that way.

In summary, then, "The Satanic Satanists" will rock your socks off, and hell, maybe it'll convert you, too. Like a true music album, the songs segway flawlessly into one another. It's a journey that'll take you up to heaven, warm your soul, and leave you pining for more. I couldn't recommend this band more!

Viva la Portugal!