Portal - Reprise
(Roison)
My first exposure to Portal was on their split 7" with Yellow 6. This pairing was an
appropriate one, and one that's influence is evident on the album Reprise. Portal's music is very
similar in tone and execution to that of Yellow 6--utilizing atmospheric guitars and simple
programmed beats. Ultimately, however, Portal's music--although successful in many ways--is
less satisfying than Yellow 6.
The album begins with "Selene," which is one of the best tracks on the album. The
warm drone that fades in from the beginning is counter-balanced with an icy, clean guitar which is
then accented with a subtle beat. The result is a perfect balance of airiness and solidity, cleanness
and distortion. The trouble for me with some of the rest of the album is that this balance is
altered. Often the culprit in these lacks of balance are the vocals. The vocals tend to be quite
straightforward and upfront in the mix, which often ends up being distracting.
In spite of these periodic distractions, the album is very strong. The combination of warm
tones and icy atmospheres is sometimes perfect, and often close. Portal work in a genre in which
many fall prey to uninspired re-interpretations of its pioneers (Cocteau Twins, Slowdive, etc.),
and while Portal is not totally free from these "re-interpretations" they also offer a unique texture,
that while in balance and at its best, can be very rewarding.
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