The Satanic Satanist

The Satanic Satanist

Portland, Oregon-based ensemble Portugal. The Man (yes, the punctuation is intentional), all through their somewhat murky beginnings out of the ashes of post-hardcore group Anatomy of a Ghost and a subsequent identity crisis as ambitious, if somewhat identikit, peddlers of proggish indie-pop, have arrived at a modest shot for widespread appeal with their 2009 album, The Satanic Satanist. Clipping their broadly stretched wings for a tighter set of songs influenced by classic '60s rock and glam, the album is full of relaxed grooves, striding key changes, and a generally sunny disposition that's hard to dislike. While the record doesn't mine any terrifically original territory, The Satanic Satanist contains enough small pleasures to recommend it to fans of the Beatles and, maybe more appropriately, their followers, Oasis.