Third
by: Portishead
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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
Amazon.com:
Amazon.com:
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.com:
Amazon.com:
Disc 1:
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - A solid follow-up
After so many years passed, I was expecting when I heard there was a third album that it might be weak.The uninspired name didn't evoke any confidence either.
And while this album isn't quite the match of the previous two, and has a few songs on it that are a bit odd, the album holds together surprisingly well.Individually, some of the songs are good and a few are really good, and collectively, the album holds up better than you'd think, the songs build on each other.This is not ... Read More
Rating: 
- Portishead, Third
I'm a huge Portishead fan.I love how unique and slightly strange the music is.This CD is more than slightly strange though.Maybe I just need to listen to it moreso it will grow on me, but this CD somehow has a different feel than the other two.
Rating: - Not an instant classic, but still a fine album.
It took a few listens for this one to grow on me. Being a fan of their previous releases, I had some high expectations. Was I let down? At first, yes, but over time this one really got into my head. A nice addition to anyone's ambient groove collection.
Pomme
Rating: - Bold and Dark and Awesome
If you liked Portishead's previous efforts, you're sure to enjoy this album.It's every bit as dark and tragic as anything they've ever done, yet it's somehow different.I couldn't put my finger on it, but it does sound like they've updated their sound a bit to give it even more texture.
Great mood music as always, but the lyrics are also intense.Recommended.
Rating: 
- Portishead to have
If you like Portishead this is a must have.Their classic style with great new songs.Great beats and words.A band definitely aging well.I hope they go on tour or do another live album.
- A solid follow-upAfter so many years passed, I was expecting when I heard there was a third album that it might be weak.The uninspired name didn't evoke any confidence either.
And while this album isn't quite the match of the previous two, and has a few songs on it that are a bit odd, the album holds together surprisingly well.Individually, some of the songs are good and a few are really good, and collectively, the album holds up better than you'd think, the songs build on each other.This is not ... Read More
- Portishead, ThirdI'm a huge Portishead fan.I love how unique and slightly strange the music is.This CD is more than slightly strange though.Maybe I just need to listen to it moreso it will grow on me, but this CD somehow has a different feel than the other two.
- Not an instant classic, but still a fine album.It took a few listens for this one to grow on me. Being a fan of their previous releases, I had some high expectations. Was I let down? At first, yes, but over time this one really got into my head. A nice addition to anyone's ambient groove collection.
Pomme
- Bold and Dark and AwesomeIf you liked Portishead's previous efforts, you're sure to enjoy this album.It's every bit as dark and tragic as anything they've ever done, yet it's somehow different.I couldn't put my finger on it, but it does sound like they've updated their sound a bit to give it even more texture.
Great mood music as always, but the lyrics are also intense.Recommended.
- Portishead to haveIf you like Portishead this is a must have.Their classic style with great new songs.Great beats and words.A band definitely aging well.I hope they go on tour or do another live album.
