AMG Review of Waiter: "You Vultures!"

Tim DiGravina
All Music Guide

Waiter: "You Vultures!" is an album decidedly of its time. Its pretentious title, punctuated as if ripped from a screenplay, should give most listeners an idea of what to expect. The album sees Portugal. The Man suffering or benefiting from an identity crisis. They seem unable to determine if they want to be a fractured art rock ensemble à la Blonde Redhead and Shudder to Think, a dance-oriented electro-indie act like Tahiti 80 and Phoenix, or a progressive-minded mood merchant like the Notwist. Along the way, piano ballads and screaming rants intersect, as the band rocks and stumbles like an uneasy mix of the aforementioned bands, crafting frequently catchy songs. John Baldwin Gourley offers mostly pleasant 1970s dance vocals. When Portugal. The Man stick to mellow post-rock, it's somewhat smooth sailing, but they tend to take themselves too seriously.