Search - Portastatic :: Bright Ideas

The gray area between Superchunk and Portastatic

Stargrazer | deep in the heart of Michigan | 10/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Portastatic has always been an interesting side project, prolifically releasing albums and EPs full of 4-tracked bedroom recordings, experimental gems, oddball covers and quirky production explorations. The last few years has seen Mac's "band" picking up steam, offering consistently more streamlined CDs like 2003's rewarding "Summer of the Shark" and the "De Mel, De Melao" EP of tropicalia covers.



Portastatic has become a bonafide band while Superchunk takes a break (bassist Laura Ballance is a mom now!), with 'Chunk guitarist Jim Wilbur assuming bass duties and Mac's brother Matt ensconced in the drum seat. The result is that -- predictably -- they sound like a band rather than a collection of lovingly self-produced songs.



"Bright Ideas" flows with a bigger sound and groove from start to finish, with the possible exception of the title track which references Mac's recent lo-fi history. There's even a little -- is that Southern Rock? -- in the arrangements and solos, allowing Mr. McCaughan to exercise his Badfinger, Springsteen, and Dylan ghosts. The songs are a little more expansive musically, but every bit as tightly written as we've come to expect."

Portastatic's second great pop rock album - fans will defini

C. Cross | 01/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Portastatic is the new project by ex-Superchunk member Mac MacCaughan. Though I haven't heard any other Portastatic albums and although this is their seventh (wow) studio album, I think I can be knowledgable in saying that this is a great good album. The album starts off well with several great tunes like the title track "Bright Ideas", "Through With People" and "I Wanna Know Girls". The rest of the album isn't as easy to get into, but they'll definitely grow on you. It's kind of cheesy at times, but not so much so that it'll turn you off. The singing is similar to Superchunk although Mac seems like he's whispering with a raspy voice most of the time. Lyrically the songs are pretty memorable if not eventually forgettable. They're relatively simple and easy to sing along with. The production is very good as well as the musicianship. I'm giving this "5" stars because every track here is very good, and the first three songs are great. Not everyone will like it but I think Superchunk and indie/pop rock fans will really enjoy it Highly recommended!



Highlights include:

"Bright Ideas"

"Through With People"

"I Wanna Know Girls"

"Truckstop Cassettes"

everything else is slightly less than good (so still worthy of listens)"

Arguably the finest release of Mac's career

Peter M. | West Orange, NJ | 04/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Or at least the best release of Portastaic's career. I've been a huge Superchunk fan for years, but I admit I had written off Portastatic as nothing more than an outlet for Mac to indulge in his more experimental urges. I had only previously owned Portastatic's "Nature of Sap," which, though I enjoyed it enough, was most defintely experimental in nature and I never felt compelled to play over and over. In an attempt to fill the huge void of a lack of new Superchunk material, I decided to give Portastatic another chance. I had read about Bright Ideas on other review sites and decided to give it a shot. Bright Ideas is every bit as good as Superchunk's best material, and Mac has really matured into a first class songwriter. There's not a bad song on it, every song is catchy and memorable. Buy it and keep indy music alive."