Portamento
The Drums · 2011
45 min · 12 tracks · indie rock
Melodic indie rock intertwines with bittersweet lyrics, creating a nostalgic yet vibrant atmosphere throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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Book of Revelation — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious melody and themes of longing, encapsulating the juxtaposition of joy and melancholy that characterizes much of the record.
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Please Don’t Leave — A heart-wrenching exploration of vulnerability, this track showcases a more emotional side of The Drums while maintaining their upbeat sound, making it a standout moment on the album.
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I Don’t Know How to Love — This song highlights an internal struggle with relationships, combining introspective lyrics with catchy hooks that elevate its emotional impact, reflecting the band's lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends catchy melodies with introspective lyrics, showcasing solid songwriting but uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower tracks that create a reflective atmosphere.
- Several songs feature layered guitar melodies that intertwine with rhythmic drumming, emphasizing a surf rock influence.
- Lyrically, the album often juxtaposes upbeat instrumentals with melancholic themes, creating a bittersweet emotional landscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- bittersweet nostalgia with vibrant melodies
- short bursts of reflective energy
- catchy anthems for sing-alongs
- light-hearted tunes for sunny days
Maybe skip if you
- prefer heavy, intense soundscapes
- seek lengthy, immersive albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2011, Portamento marked The Drums' sophomore effort following their self-titled debut in 2010. The album reflects the band's evolving sound while maintaining their signature blend of surf rock and post-punk influences. At this point, they were consolidating their identity after a successful debut that introduced them to a wider audience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Beach Fossils· Real Estate· Vampire Weekend
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Book of Revelation 3:30
- 2 Days 4:29
- 3 What You Were 3:15
- 4 Money 3:54
- 5 Hard to Love 3:53
- 6 I Don’t Know How to Love 3:22
- 7 Searching for Heaven 2:49
- 8 Please Don’t Leave 4:12
- 9 If He Likes It Let Him Do It 3:51
- 10 I Need a Doctor 4:16
- 11 In the Cold 3:29
- 12 How It Ended 4:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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