Mothman and the Thunderbirds’ Portal Hopper Review

Mothman and The Thunderbirds is an experimental and ever-evolving project by Alex Parkinson. With the help of a few talented friends and family members, Alex has orchestrated a real adventure in sound that captures the purest elements of progressive rock, heavy metal and pop-punk in the form of a true concept album, Portal Hopper.

I know that the idea of a True Concept Album is an objective notion that gets kicked around a lot, especially by me, I think we should coin the phrase, “Story Album”, seems more fitting. I also know that I come off as rather a snob when I point out that most modern “concept albums” are simple a collection of songs loosely tied by a theme that reflect the album title or the bands image.

But I am coming from a background of having been nursed by progressive rock concept albums in my infancy. Artists like Utopia, BeBop Deluxe, Robin Trower, Jethro Tull, David Bowie early Journey…and so on! For cuss sake, let’s not forget The Point, by Harry Nillson! I could go on and on but no one wants to read my griping about 70’s experimental prog-rock! (But if I’m wrong and you do want to listen to me carry on about that subject, I’ll be posting a video soon.)

Getting back to the point, Portal Hopper is a true concept album. There is a story being told that carries you from an optimistic and frenetic introduction on track one, Ruby Skies, through pensive moments in Liminal Spacetime Continuum, into bright and sobering strides in Akashic Records and eventually lands you in a nostalgia laced culminating ballad in Attic.

In my interview with Alex, I fully disclosed that when I first heard the opening track, Ruby Skies, I almost didn’t click on the next wav file. I felt frustrated and a bit anxious from the song. Yet I was intrigued enough to try the next song and by the end of that one, I got it! Ruby Skies had done exactly what it was created to do, set a running pace for the protagonist that spurs him on towards a risky but worthy adventure.

While the feel of this album is so much like those I cherish from the 70’s, it offers plenty of updated qualities that mark it as fresh and make it very fun. A few punk based drum moments, some heavy guitar breakdowns, and brilliant use of synth prove the thoughtfulness behind this album. The sci-fi nerd in me was overjoyed by the spattering of modern sci-fi terms in the lyrics.

I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t mention the bass on this album. I was not at all surprised to be told that Alex plays a Rickenbacker! The tone is clear and the bass riffs are so yummy! My new challenge to myself is to jam along on my Fender P (Jasper).

I was first introduced to Mothman and The Thunderbirds by way of this album and now I am going back to listen to the previous projects. It’s a lot of fun! Portal Hopper seems to be a bit of a departure in some ways, with much more brightness and vocal experimentation than the the other material. It is an exciting development and I am getting a lot of energy from this project. It has so much to sing along to and lots of little sparkling moment that grab the attention.

I recently asked about the project, Mothman and The Thunderbirds. Here is what Alex told me;

I got the name while my wife and I were binge watching Ancient Aliens in 2020 during COVID. In one episode, they were talking about flying cryptids and mentioned Mothman and thunderbirds in the same sentence and I said “Hey, Mothman and The Thunderbirds would be a great band name!”

-Alex

This is a fun one friends, worth your time! My younger friends find it catchy and my older friends find it inviting. My musician friends are impressed with the song structures and the overall creativity of the story presentation.

I say you get a couple people together, makes some snacks and listen through, like a movie night! Let your imaginations run wild. Have fun on this sci-fi heroes journey!

Mothman and The Thunderbirds:

Alex Parkinson – lead vocals, backing vocals, guitars, bass, synths, vocoder, drum programming

Egor Lappo – guitar solo (track 5), mixing, mastering, production, drum programming

Joe Sobieski – lead vocals (verses of tracks 4 & 9), backing vocals (track 5)

Sam Parkinson – guitar solos (tracks 8 & 11)