
Album
Be Still Please
Portastatic
Released:
Label:
Merge Records
More than other recent efforts, Portastatic's 11th release brings to mind
the spirited tunes that leader Mac McCaughan endowed his former band
Superchunk with. McCaughan's wry lyrical sensibility and knack for lofting
spirited melodies over brisk tempos make the record one of his brightest in
years. On "I'm in Love (With Arthur Dove)," his adoration of the American
painter has him hollering, "I'm in love! I'm in love!" at the top of his
lungs. But even with the power pop sheen, McCaughan isn't blowing sunshine;
the love-in finds balance in darker moments like the down-tempo "Getting
Saved" or "You Blanks," where he coyly admits, "I always love to watch the
weather, hoping for some disaster."