Amazon.co.uk: Portishead's Third has been a long time coming, the result of a lengthy creative torpor following 1997's dark, distinctly underrated album Portishead. Importantly, though, they've shaken it. While the core trio of Beth Gibbons, Geoff Barrow, and Adrian Utley remains, this is quite a different band to Portishead's 90s incarnation: gone is the slo-mo turntable scratching and smoky jazz feel, replaced by heavy, brooding rhythms, vintage-sounding electronics, and spindly guitar. Still present, though, is that sense of emotional fracture and deep gloom. "Silence" opens with a dense drum loop which suddenly falls away to reveal Gibbons' voice, cold but magnificent: "Wounded and afraid, inside my head/Falling through changes". "Nylon Smile", meanwhile, is a fine example of Third's occasional folksy edge, an acoustic song reminiscent of Leonard Cohen that, around its midpoint, lifts off on a propulsive electronic rhythm, Gibbons holding one clear, hard note as synthesisers bubble beneath. At times, it's a harsh and foreboding listen: the electronic drums of "Machine Gun" might put off the listener hoping for smooth dinner party fare. But Third is a brave and forward-thinking return, and one great enough to justify its lengthy gestation. --Louis Pattison
60 psychedelic meets modern electronics.... While this release is highly anticipated anyone expecting to get a rehash of the 1990's trip-hop Portishead may be let down upon first listen. Gone are those jazzy drums and record scratches, instead it's replaced with a buzzing rhythm of analogue synthesizers. Another problem is that when a band got a big in the 1990's and defined a sound as they did then it's hard to expect them to blow you away upon first listen.
The real gem of this release is that Third grows on you, it's a deep record with the trademark Portishead mood, although this time there are some real 60's psychedelic feelings on it. Also vocally Beth Gibbons is as tortured as ever it comes out in the lyrics. This is a great moody record for a rainy day and if you want to listen to Dummy then put that record on, but if you want to hear what a brilliant band has to say in 2008 then you will love this album. It's one of my favorites that gets regular play on my CD player....
Give it a Listen & Make Up Your Own Mind No this isn't a repeat of their first album, but it more than stands on its own, and imparts a beauty of sound that's rarely heard. I'm not trying to set a standard so I'll stop here.
not worth the long wait... There's a fine line between taking the band in a new direction and completely abandoning the band's unique sound. Unfortunately Portishead crossed the line and never looked back with Third. What the hell happened to the great beats, scratches, and hooks that we all grew to love with Dummy, Portishead, and the live album ? Did they forget that they are a trip-hop band ? Get over yourself, get back in the studio, and give your fans what they deserve, Portishead.
Not their best, but worth the purchase. Title says it all. The new album doesn't seem to have a central theme, but contains some good tracks that by themselves are good.
Let Down I really love Portishead, and like many fans, I eagerly awaited this album. I find that it is incredibly different from their past albums. Sometimes this takes some adjustment, and giving them a second and third try might prove them to be better. However, I fear that in this album, Portishead was trying to be so different that the music does not seem as thoroughly composed as its predecessor albums. In fact, at times, it sounds downright incohesive. I never thought I would see the day when I said to myself, "gotta go turn the Portishead off, it's annoying the hell out of me."
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