Reviews
Portishead
Third
Ten years. Ten whole fucking years to make one album.
Initially when I heard Portishead were making another album I just shrugged it off. Oh sweet, I thought, another old band getting back together and making a record because they need the money.
But the truth is Portishead never broke up. Up until this new album the band has been on hiatus.
Their first two albums were great, you know, they were fun. I mean they didn't really stand out for me, and yes, I'll admit, I found them at times a little boring. Trip hop seems... well... it seems so 90s. I think it's because I wasn't a teenager in 94 and that I've grown up listening to this stuff in retrospect. It's not really... uh... relevant?
Well, okay, I'm being a toss.
Portishead's first two albums were great. Really great. But not Mezzanine great. The songs just didn't seem to fit together. Maybe a little too clean, a little too safe?
Third, I can safely say, is the best thing I have heard this year. It is fragile, delicate and intricate. Opener Silence just happens, really happens in front of you. Guitar lines crack and sizzle around Gibbons' soft vocals, there's this drum beat that just fucking makes you want to grit your teeth it's so good. Then these strings flood the track and you're ears just want to implode.
Every track is a standout. Third is a perfect balance between sonic noise, electric and acoustic sounds. Portishead have accomplished what every band searches for: consistency in tone. The whole album just drips of atmosphere. Acoustic guitars replace synthesizers, drums echo in cavernous reverbs and Gibbons' vocals are never far from distortion or a slap delay.
Third lives up to its hype. It really takes you somewhere; somewhere not too far from Burial's Untrue or The Knife's Silent Shout. And it's not too removed from the band's first two efforts - Third still sounds like Portishead. Portishead with a darker twist.
And thank god there's no fucking vinyl scratching on this record.
You know what I mean.
Words by Ivan Vizintin.Comments
Kasee Lara
Playing The Rip right now.
Will I folllowwwwwww?
Posted at 00:41 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesi need to give it more time..
Posted at 02:08 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
flukazoidSame. I keep waiting for the right moment to give it my full attention... I should make it happen soon
Looking forward to it. Early listens suggest great things
Posted at 02:20 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
mike(punch)only just getting to listening to it now, but the first track is phenomenal. not particularly a fan though, so will be interesting if i can get into a whole album by them.
Posted at 09:45 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
flukazoiddudes I just gave it the esteemed Proper Second Listening
it is PHENOMENAL
blew my head off
Beth really really puts across the persona of tortured lass well doesn't she?
I hope she's a little bit happier than that in real life...
Posted at 16:51 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yeslike all portishead records.. i couldn't listen to this everyday..
but on the right day.. this is fucking awesome..
Posted at 17:42 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
mike(punch)is it just me or does the end of machine gun sound like the end of terminator 2?
Posted at 18:25 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
flukazoidif terminator had machine gun on the soundtrack (instead of an 80s rendition of "bad to the bone" or somesuch) it would automatically go up by two coolness points
Posted at 18:27 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesdoes the first track end abruptly..
or do i have what is commonly known as 'a bad rip'
(insert bad bondi rescue joke here)
Posted at 23:43 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Seani've not bought it yet...so i'm in the same boat as you...but at coachella it seemed to end abruptly as well.
have to pick this up on the weekend.
Posted at 23:45 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
flukazoidno, it's how it's meant to be
(pulled down a second copy just to make sure)
(are there any stores that you've seen this on vinyl? I want to buy it this weekend)
Posted at 23:46 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesi heard the packaging sucks
Posted at 23:47 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Seanthis looks awesome:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_-DET4DQ6C4c/R-cGrPerL4I/AAAAAAAAAHs/cX8OEyJ6iMw/s1600-h/box.jpg
Posted at 23:49 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Seanbah....what are the url tags here?
Posted at 23:49 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yeswhoa.. i take that back.. that looks nice.. maybe i was thinking of the CD packaging..
html sean.. heard of it n shit.. ?
Posted at 23:50 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
SeanME NO KNOW HTML
Posted at 23:51 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
flukazoidpackaging has never been Portishead's strong point
Posted at 23:52 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
flukazoidheh, although that package does look nice... and I was (extremely) tempted
but there are only a select few bands that I'll blow $90 on an album for
Posted at 23:54 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.
Seanthe backing vocals on Deep Water sound like they were recorded in 1928.
i mean that in a very very good way.
Posted at 00:03 on Friday, May 9, 2008.
mike(punch)yeah, have been giving this a bit of a spin and am really liking it.
but whats with the banjo track thrown in the middle? is that supposed to be post-modern?
anyone quoting lines from that bedroom philosopher song gets banned forever.
Posted at 17:44 on Wednesday, May 14, 2008.
SeanAlbum of the Year.
(so far)
Posted at 22:01 on Thursday, May 15, 2008.
mike(punch)sorry, its a eukelale.
as you were.
Posted at 22:32 on Thursday, May 15, 2008.
troyoxI love machine gun, I know its repetive as all hell, but mesmerising.
Posted at 23:21 on Thursday, May 15, 2008.
SeanMachine Gun is terrifying after Deep Water.
Posted at 23:04 on Friday, May 16, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesthis album fucking sucks
Posted at 18:22 on Monday, May 19, 2008.
mike(punch)i think im turning on it too.
too many 'hurry up and get to the good bit moments' and 4 minute explorations into how the decay settings work on the mixer.
i was doing the same thing in frooty loops. in 1999.
Posted at 18:25 on Monday, May 19, 2008.
Seanweak.
Posted at 20:04 on Monday, May 19, 2008.
mike(punch)i know you are sean, but what is portishead?
Posted at 20:30 on Monday, May 19, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesall of a sudden this fred gotz a bad case of 'the radz'
Posted at 21:35 on Monday, May 19, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesarcade machine in my office at work > third
Posted at 21:35 on Monday, May 19, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesbad remixes of bulls on parade > third
Posted at 14:57 on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesour arcade machine has WWF Superstars on it
Ultimate Warrior > Third
Posted at 15:03 on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
flukazoidThird > your mum
there we go, the thread has officially reached rock bottom. we can move on.
Posted at 15:30 on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesha..
i was only documenting my day Joe
it's the new 'blogging'
Posted at 15:33 on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesand now... a review
http://polaroidsofandroids.com/reviews/169/portishead-third.htm
thanks to our pal, Ivan
Posted at 15:37 on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yeshm... now do we link this thread to the review - or start 'blank' with the one auto-generated when the review is made..??
ie. this one
thoughts?
Posted at 15:38 on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Kasee Lara
Linking is always good.
Posted at 18:13 on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yesyeh.. overwhelming response..
the review now lives at the top of this thread..
Posted at 19:08 on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Jonny Yes Yescoming around on this record now..
given it a bit of a flogging this morning... when the mood is right is perfect
Posted at 12:32 on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.
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Seriously, this album is nuts. I'm starting to think this may be album of the year so far.
Posted at 00:26 on Thursday, May 8, 2008.