Album Review: Portman - These Songs Were Written In Bedrooms and Village Halls

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you final the piece EP from one of the most under rated British bands in recent years. Portman's final EP, 'These Songs Were Written In Bedrooms and Village Halls' sees the band going out on a high and a slight bang.

Over the course of 5 tracks, the Stamford 5-piece continue the momentum from last year's 'From Here To Your Eyes and Ears' and taking it up a notch. 'The One About The Impenetrable Fortress' keeps the same soft guitars and strong vocal harmonies from their previous effort, however it is a more thought-out structure.

'Sit Down, Calm Down' sees the band taking a more upbeat yet laid back approach until the chorus erupts into a shouting game, before lead singer Matt's breathy vocals ease the track back in.

Whilst 'Facts!!!' begins with soft, complicated guitars leading to an energetic and upbeat chorus with a bridge that will get you singing along to within seconds. It's a track that makes you feel this wasn't the end, as its one of the bands best ever and shows how they have developed since last year's full-length.

In addition to this, 'The Test' sounds like a band who definitely want to have one last blast, with complicated guitars that lead into a shouting match with ruckus guitars.

'Colours' shows a band that have gone full circle, with its mix of light guitars, crashing drums and passionate vocals that are strong and strain right the way through to the final note. It is a track that brilliantly brings the band both lyrically and musically to a close.

I don't know how much much I can praise Portman for. 'These Songs Were Written In Bedrooms and Village Halls' shows a band that have developed and progressed but at the same time kept their origins, that have been adapted to the bands final direction. Portman will be missed and are a sharp reminder they are plenty of small bands, who have the songs and the talent that outweigh any major so-so any day of the week.

4.5/5

'These Songs Were Written In Bedrooms and Village Halls' by Portman is available to pre-order for £3 through Walnut Tree Records online store and will be released on July 14th.

Sean Reid