Evil Friends (2013) - Portugal. The Man
10/10
Image credit: Album cover for Evil Friends by Portugal. The Man. © Atlantic Records. Used under fair use for review and commentary purposes.
Portugal. The Man are an Alaskan-born rock band currently based in Portland, Oregon. The group features John Gourley on guitar and vocals, Zach Carothers on bass, Zoe Manville on vocals and percussion, Eric Howk on guitar, and Kyle O’Quin on keyboard. Gourley and Carothers began playing music together in high school in Wasilla, Alaska. The two were originally part of the post-hardcore band Anatomy of a Ghost, and after that group disbanded, they teamed up with Wesley Hubbard, Nick Klein (a former guitar tech for Anatomy of a Ghost), and Harvey Tumbleson to form Portugal. The Man. They chose the name to represent a collective identity: “Portugal” symbolizes a group of people, the period emphasizes that definition, and “The Man” refers to any one of them, capturing the idea of a single voice representing many. The band has released nine studio albums and earned a Grammy Award in 2018 for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Evil Friends, released on June 4, 2013, through Atlantic Records, is Portugal. The Man’s seventh studio album and marked a significant creative moment for the band. Co-produced by Danger Mouse—whose involvement was teased via leaked photos on Bonnaroo’s Tumblr—the album was imagined as a modern-day Dark Side of the Moon. While it doesn’t mirror the sound of Pink Floyd, it captures a similarly ambitious and experimental spirit. The record blends acoustic guitar with tightly layered bass and drum lines, creating a vivid soundscape to explore themes of identity, rebellion, and morality. Each song offers something unique, but standout tracks include “Creep in a T-Shirt,” “Modern Jesus,” “Atomic Man,” and “Purple Yellow Red and Blue.”
Check out one of their live versions of “Modern Jesus” below:
“Creep in a T-Shirt” bursts with energy, pairing upbeat piano with sharp guitar riffs, reflecting the band’s refusal to conform and their embrace of uncertainty. “Modern Jesus” shifts to a more subdued, lo-fi tone with melodic piano and soaring vocals. It’s a bold anthem about rejecting outdated traditions and being present in today’s world, showcasing Gourley’s vocal strength. “Atomic Man” blends acoustic and electric guitar effortlessly, underpinned by thunderous drums. The song balances intensity with emotion, building to a haunting outro about being the “Atomic man” and shaping the world around you. “Purple Yellow Red and Blue” rounds out the album with crashing drums and commanding vocals. It’s a bold critique of fame and fortune, revealing the hollowness that can lie beneath outward success.
Portugal. The Man are among the few modern rock bands that continue to innovate while staying true to their roots. Their live shows are equally powerful, such as the charity concert they held this past January in Madison, WI to raise money for ALS research. Beyond their music, the band has a deeply personal connection to advocacy. Gourley and Manville’s daughter, Frances, has an extremely rare neurological condition caused by a mutation in the DHDDS gene—diagnosed in only six individuals worldwide. In response, the band launched the Frances Changed My Life campaign to raise awareness and critical funding for others in the DHDDS community.
Just two weeks ago, Portugal. The Man released a new four-song EP that blends their signature sound with a fresh, upbeat twist. This week, they announced a 20-date tour running through November and December. One of the highlights includes their upcoming show at Chicago’s Salt Shed on November 22—a benefit concert for Beyond Hunger, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity in Cook County. From their music to their mission, Portugal. The Man continue to push boundaries and leave a meaningful impact both on stage and off.
