REVIEWSPortugal. The Man, ‘In the Mountain in 
the Cloud’

6

• SPIN Rating:6 of 10

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Release Date: July 19, 2011
Label: Atlantic

On their sixth album in as many years, but first for a major label, these Alaskans have erected an impressive glam-psych cathedral. It's just not clear what's being worshipped or why. There's an uplifting fervor to the bursting melodies and detailed arrangements, as violins saw away dizzily during codas and blues-fuzz guitars tie a bow on a breakdown or three. ?Unfortunately, frontman John Gourley doesn't deliver the sermons that his songs require. His thin, inexpressive singing and gloopy lyrics lack the mumbo-jumbo grandeur of Marc Bolan, an obvious influence.