Editorial Review:

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

Customer Reviews:

Average Customer Review: 4.0 / 5.0

• "4.5 stars"
• "REALLY BAD"
• "Excellent album"
• "Great for the fans"

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

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... more info

REALLY BAD:

U WAIT SO LONG FOR A NEW ALBUM FROM PORTISHEAD ....AND THEY DROPPED THE BALL ....ONE GOOD SONG ....AND MAYBE ONE OTHER OK SONG....

Excellent album:

Portishead is back with an album that is well worth the wait. Truly unique music as I haven't heard in years. One listen to "The Rip" should convince you. Highly recommended.

Great for the fans:

It's a short album, but it's okay. This is a compact album with a lot of familiar tones that are expected from Portishead, but they do branch off with new ideas and unchartered waters. For those who have not yet heard Portishead, then I strongly suggest holding off from this album until you hear their first two.

Tracks:

1. Silence
2. Hunter
3. Nylon Smile
4. Rip
5. Plastic
6. We Carry On
7. Deep Water
8. Machine Gun
9. Small
10. Magic Doors
11. Threads

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