Album Review: The Vintage Caravan - Portals
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
It hardly seems over eleven years ago when I headed up to Sound Control in Manchester to see a fresh-faced group from Iceland called The Vintage Caravan supporting Grand Magus. Albeit, due to an early start, I missed them, and it was a few months later that I finally got to see them, but they had left a lasting impression upon me.
Having seen them several time since, their psychedelic grooves are always a joy to hear, so I was eager to listen to their new album “Portals”. There are seventeen new tracks to enjoy, but five of those are called Portal I – V, which are short interludes or pre-cursors linking to the next track, but don’t detract from the other twelve retro-fuelled slabs of prog rock.
They start with a sort of siren sound, leading into a gentle guitar moment before the riff changes and the vocals enter the fray. “Philosopher” is a hefty opener, soulful and atmospheric, with Opeth’s Mikeal Akerfeldt making a guest appearance. Portal I is next, and it guides you into the electrifying “Days Go By”, which begins with manipulated instrument sounds that preclude a song that is full of boundless energy with a tantalising bassline from Alexander Orn Numason.
They explore their progressive selves on “Here You Come Again” and it’s a rabble rouser of a track that sounds fresh and innovative. This will become a firm live favourite in my opinion as the vocals and the music work together exceptionally well, and the riffs just explode all over the place. The pace is slowed down for the melancholy “Current” to show one of their other sides, before the western style opening of “Give and Take” brings the trio back to the rockier, more retro sound, that they are renowned for, as Oskar Logi Agustsson rips through a sublime solo.
“Crossroads” appears after the third Portal, and sounds retrospective, as if it’s a bit of a throwback to a bye gone era. More importantly, the riffs flow effortlessly accompanied to perfection by Stefan Ari Stefansson on drums. With emotional vocals and a stirring bassline, the anthemic “Alone” is one of the standout songs on the album, and it’s a definite “get your lighter in the air” gig moment.
With Portal IV up next, “Freedom” quickly follows, and its proper funky little number that will get people up and dancing, yet “Riot” will quickly steal the thunder as it’s full of bluesy psychedelic noises that are a potent force which radiates brilliance. “Electrified” sees a return to the more wistful vocal and gentler composition, but this doesn’t last too long as there’s a shot of adrenalin in the middle section.
The fifth Portal appears, then disappears quickly, as the trio wrap up proceedings with the mellow and warm “My Aurora” however, they have saved one of the best until the end. “This Road” is such an awesome song, that rides the crest of a wave, and simply purrs from start to finish, with a brilliant rhythm highlighting the talented trio’s skills to the fullest. Skal gentlemen.
