"Feel It Still"-Portugal. The Man
Not only will Madison Avenue tap this song for a future television commercial but I have a feeling we may also soon be seeing "I'm a Rebel Just for Kicks Now" tees, hats, bumper stickers... protest signs.
What makes this brand-new track from the Portland-by-way-of-Alaska trio (who purposely placed a full-stop right-smack-dab in the middle of their moniker) Portugal. The Man so marketable is that the band's latest creation is extremely catchy. "Feel It Still" first entices with a soulful Shaft-ish hi-hat and bold bare-bones bassline before firmly hooking you with its funky falsetto and a heady horn section.
By approximately 30-seconds into the groove, your head and shoulders should slowly begin to engage in tempo with the beat. And, at only about two-and-a-half minutes in length, you get juuust enough to want more.
That's why -- after dozens of repeated listens -- I was able to deconstruct this P.tM addiction and tie it to bits of other songs that were bouncing around in my subconscious.
According to my brain, I came to the conclusion that "Feel It Still" is what happens when you combine equal parts "Mercy" (Duffy), "The Head I Hold" (Electric Guest) and "Please, Mr. Postman" (Marvelettes) in a big ol' blender after hitting the "Smoothie" setting.
Another point. I didn't hear it at first, but it turns out this Portugal. The Man single is a call to action.
"I'm a rebel just for kicks now, I been feeling it since 1966 now. Might of had your fill, but you feel it still."
Lead vocalist John Gourley attributed part of the inspiration to a Woodstock ticket-stub that belonged to his dad. He said it reminded him that music -- as it did in the Sixties -- has an opportunity "to comment on societal and political unease" and say "something that mattered." The group's music video (below) takes that mission-statement one step further.
"Feel It Still" is just one of the songs-with-substance expected from a yet-to-be-released album aptly titled Woodstock.
