Portishead - Third

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 Amazon.co.uk

The best album I've heard since 2005

Upon my first listen or two of Third, I didn't think it was that much of a progression from their debut, Dummy, nor their self-titled sophomore album. But I've come to realize I was ever so wrong.

The dark, sexy vibe that Portishead pulled off before is now just, well, dark. Extremely eerie, and very sinister. Their music used to sound like something you'd hear in a smoky and dingy underground club at 3 a.m. with others around smoking, talking, and maybe even dancing. Third sounds like something you'd listen to alone in a dark and musty basement of an abandoned building with one hanging light bulb flickering on and off.

There is definitely a Silver Apples influence here, and it makes me salivate. I love the Silver Apples, but Portishead takes their template and adds Beth's vocals and more developed songwriting, and creates something beyond anything the Silver Apples ever did.

It's difficult to try and describe the emotions this album evokes. It's dark, but it's not depressing. It's strangely comforting, but in a cold way.

I really want to point out some highlights, but I don't know what I'd exclude. Every single song on Third grows on me more and more upon further listens. I suppose I'll say that "Nylon Smile," "The Rip," "Plastic," "We Carry On," "Machine Gun," and "Threads" are the songs that particularly stand out to me.

Many times an album like this comes out that wears its influences on its sleeve, and its easy to downplay it because it will "never be like the original." But honestly, this blows much of its influences out of the water. September 24, 2008

Great comback! MP3 MAY EXPIRE

For the first album in many years Portishead really pulls it together with 'third'
Not the same winy mess as before. Very beat driven. Tribal even. With a few songs like "deep water" that, while out of place a little, fit very well to take all that electronic buzz out of your head.

I can only hope the live shows are able to expand on the songs. They tend to start a jam that would put any hippie in a trance, then kill it before it can pick of steam.


LOOK OUT! MP3 MAY BE EXPIRED!
After purchasing the LP I went to download the mp3 that comes with the record.

It was expired!

An e-mail has been sent to the music group that controls the mp3s. I will update when I have new info.

ALSO..
the corners where bent a little. This is probably due to shipping. So if you are a snob and want a perfect case I would not recommend Amazon.com. All of my records come bent in the corners. Vinyl is undamaged.

I seem to have lost the ability to change my star count.
Can not give this product 5 stars because of-
1.mp3 issues
2.bent corners from amazon September 11, 2008

Finally!!

For 14 years now Dummy has been one of my all-time favorite albums. It helped invent the genre of "trip hop," one of my favorite genres of music. Third is a triumphant and LONG overdue return, and is a pleasant surprise after their extremely disappointing self-titled second album. By the way, to the reviewers here asking us to stop comparing Portishead albums, THAT'S WHAT A REVIEW IS--a comparison to other things. I love Dummy but was so disappointed by their second album that I actually threw it away. I'll be keeping this one. September 9, 2008

Worthy of consideration

This recording is worthy of attention if for no other reason than the fact that it *is* pretty original. And that is getting harder and harder to find it seems.

Now, to contradict myself I will say that *musically* this recording reminds me of late 70s Wire a lot. The moody angularity and willingness to make some noise is impressive.

One thing I know, nobody "gets" music like this on the first or second listen. If you are not willing to give this a chance, get something more easy to aurally digest. September 8, 2008

4.5 stars

It's been almost 11 years since Portishead released their last self-titled album (I'm not counting Roseland NYC Live). The three member group of Adrian Utley, Geoff Barrow and more prominent Beth Gibbons have been often credited with making the trip hop genre more mainstream. Originating out of Bristol, UK, Portishead introduced their hometown sound to the commercial radio waves in 1994 with Dummy. With downtempo hip-hop beats, a touch of turntablism, and Gibbons' staple vocals, Portishead instantly created their own style and with that came a vast following. It's no wonder then, that when appropriately titled Third album hit the shelves, it was snatched with a hunger. Prior to the album's street date it was released on last-fm and attracted over 327,000 listeners within 24 hours. On Third, Portishead experiments in a darker territory, a bit brooding and at times almost industrial in nature, while rewarding the listener with a familiar voice. There are many unforgettable moments on the album when you find yourself go "what" and "nice". Perhaps there is not much revolutionary on Third for some, and they may not feel justified for the waiting period. Nevertheless you can't just let it slip by. Portishead remains a favorite and after consecutive rotations, Third climbs to the my list of "Best of 2008 so far..." I still love and play the first two albums. (Gibbons also released a solo album titled Candy Says in 2003). September 4, 2008

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