The style of recording for the album Portland was inspired by the stripped down, acoustic approach epitomized by Carolyn and Love Is A Song (from Imaginary Love Ballads). Portland eschews distorted electric guitars and over the top synthesizers in favor of acoustic guitar, piano, cello, violin, saxophone, trumpet and the rarely used bass clarinet. Augmented by lush backing vocal arrangements with occasional symphonic flourishes, Portland leads the listener down a myriad of roads that collectively embrace the widest possible range of textures and emotions.
