★★★★★
Who are these Drums, then? Who is this guy, trying to sound a bit like a post-punk throwback? Sometimes I try to stay true to the mantra 'don't believe the hype', but, as cynical as the opening of this review is, I actually quite like this band's album. It's hardly unique, what with bands like Surfer Blood and Foals already doing this kind of thing (and probably better), but it's catchy as hell and, I said it already - I bloody well like it, okay...
- www.thecmuwebsite.com
2013-04-01
★★★★★
My first Christmas present of the year came in the shape of a twitter update from The Drums promoting a secret gig (actually just "a couple of acoustic songs") to be played at the east London bar Strongroom, with only a few of hours of notice before the stage time (7pm). We arrived for the end of the first track which Johnny referred to as "The most Christmassy song that we have", but quickly retracted, "Well we actually have another song related to Christmas.....
- hangout.altsounds.com
2011-12-22
★★★★★
The Drums were one of the most hyped bands of 2010 (think of it as the NYC equivalent of The Vaccines' hype during this year) and after the release of a very successful debut album, guitar player Adam Kessler left/was kicked out from the band halfway through the tour. In spite many speculations, the band continued working tirelessly on their follow up record "Portamento" which was release a couple of weeks ago, loaded with the happiest gloomy indie pop songs that the US ever created...
- hangout.altsounds.com
2011-11-03
★★★★★
Between last year's self-titled debut and follow-up Portamento, NYC's the Drums parted ways with guitarist Adam Kessler and considered disbanding. Though they persevered, this sophomore effort is peppered with break-up songs ("Hard to Love," "Please Don't Leave") and existential musings ("Book of Revelation"), making the results contemplative rather than bombastic...
- exclaim.ca
2011-10-17
★★★★★
At first glance, there is a laughably deadpan irony about The Drums, particularly in Jonathan Pierce's schizophrenic stage persona. Stumbling between yelps of woe-is-me agony and a wide-eyed "I don't give a shit about your indie hype" stare, one is unsure of whether Jonathan Pierce is ecstatically living up to his daydreams of fronting The Smiths or completely apathetic with the success The Drums have gained...
- www.noripcord.com
2011-10-11
★★★★★
In the words of one of our esteemed staff, "I like this more than I want to...
- www.cokemachineglow.com
2011-10-11
★★★★★
The Drums' second LP, Portamento, in contrast to their naïve debut, provides a snapshot of a band maturing. This album is heavier, darker and sadder, but manages to retain the fun at the core of the Drums' music. Although it deals largely with themes of loss, loneliness and futility, the album somehow remains highly danceable and the highly stylised Drums' sound persists...
- www.beat.com.au
2011-09-29
★★★★★
"And I can never go home anymore. And that's called 'sad'." --The Shangri-Las I gotta say the Drums' debut was a bit of a lifesaver. Its mix of infectious melody, heartfelt wonder, childlike loneliness, witty lyricisms, and naïve romance saw me through many a mess o' blues. On first listen Portamento, in all honesty, felt comparatively flat, a frantic panic of ideas, sounds and moods...
- www.popmatters.com
2011-09-22
★★★★★
You'd be forgiven for expecting the second album from The Drums to be a religious experience. Portamento's cover art, a childhood snap of singer and lead songwriter Jonathan Pierce, shows the youngster with devilishly bad case of camera red-eye standing in front of some fairly unpleasant green wallpaper as a smiling older woman looks on; a crucifix hangs behind Pierce on the wall, positioned over his head like the Sword of Damocles. And the first track is called 'Book of Revelation'...
- thequietus.com
2011-09-21
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