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From:Portishead , Mercury ,
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User Rating: Amazon Sales Rank:#104 |
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4.5 Stars... Outstanding album, "return" of Portishead or not, 2008-06-20
I guess I must be one of the very few here that come to this with no prior knowledge of Portishead. Yes, I know they have issued two prior albums, and this is the first new studio album in over 10 years. But I haven't heard the prior albums, even though I'm aware that Portishead is hugely influential with it's supposed "trip-hop" sound, whatever that is.
"Third" (11 tracks; 48 min.) starts off with a menacing opener "Silence" which immediately puts me into a trance and I'm loving it. Vocalist Beth Gibbons sounds mysterious but it only adds to the intrigue and appeal. There are no upbeat tracks on here as such, simply mood pieces and the tracks flow along superbly. "Plastic" includes threatening helicopter sounds but plays great. My personal favorites on here are "We Carry On", with a relentless underlying techno-beat that's just mesmerizing, "Machine Gun", a haunting song, and "Magic Doors", with an underlying Eastern theme. The guitar-heavy closer "Threads" sums up the album perfectly for me. In all, this is a fantastic album from start to finish, and I say this with apologies to any Portishead fans of the early days who were not amused by the new album. I had no pre-conceived notions or expectations but have found "Third" to be an absolute thriller.
I had the good fortune of catching Portishead at Coachella earlier this year, and while it took me a while to get into it (they performed on the main stage right after the exuberating set of Kraftwerk), I really got into it eventually, which lead me to checking out this album. Would love to see them again, now that I've come to love this album.
1 of 5 customers found the following review helpful:
 You've gotta be kidding me, 2008-06-19
Look, I've always been a fan of Portishead, and I completely respect an artist's desire to evolve and change. I've even welcomed many changes from other artists I like. For example, I don't have a problem with Enigma leaving behind the Gregorian chants in later albums. I am not someone who thinks the artist has to make the same album over and over again. Having said that, I really just do not feel this album at all. There are too many outright annoying noises on half the tracks and nothing ever really gets going for my taste. I knew that it would be different, but this just sounds like reject tracks from the first 2 albums. Sorry, but if this is what took them 10 years to come out with, they could have kept it. If you're looking for any semblance of the old Portishead, don't bother with this. If you like the band enough to give it a shot, then be my guest. I did and was disappointed, but that doesn't mean you will be.
1 of 1 customers found the following review helpful:
 Creative, bold, 2008-06-18
Portishead is taking some flak for this one. And I understand why: they had the audacity to veer from their previous creative path. People HATE that. But if you are one of those who, like me, believes that an artist should do more than just re-create new versions of their previous work, then this CD is going to excite you as it has me.
It is a brilliant, inspired, outside-the-box funhouse of sounds, beats, noises and moods unlike anything you have heard, either from Portishead or anyone else. This is what makes art art; what separates the creative adults from the wannabe children. It is a fine CD, and if your taste in music is bold, you will get hours of enjoyment from it. On the other hand, if you prefer pretty, shallow, hummable tunes, stick with your Backstreet Boys CDs and leave this one for the stout of heart.
Bitter sweet, 2008-06-17
Love the album. Portishead has taken new sounds and twisted them to their very specific mood again. It has great compositions. No doubt.
Only one thing bothers me. The final cut doesn't sound final at all. You sometimes hear instruments missing notes, playing through cracks. Even Beth's perrenially flawless vocals seem a bit rushed in places. Basically, the final mix is not all that sharp. At times, it may seem as if the band wanted it that way, but overall it feels rushed.
1 of 2 customers found the following review helpful:
Hip Hop Heads first trip to Portishead, 2008-06-16
I have no idea how I came across the name of this group but one day I heard their new work was coming out,so I decided to read some reviews of their previous work. In seeing the old reviews I made up my mind to purchase Third. I have listened to the CD about 5 times and I'm impressed, my current rotation includes: EMC (The Show), N.E.R.D. (Seeing Sounds), Erykah Badu (New Amerykah), The Roots (Rising Down), Sean Price (Jesus Price Superstar), Murs/9th Wonder (Murray's Revenge), Little Brother (Get Back), DJ Shadow (Endtroducing),an occassional J-Dilla(RIP) produced album and now Portishead. With the Hip-Hop I listen to, I can only compare the production on Third too El-P,RZA or RJD2, not only in instrumentation and song structure but also in their dark moods. Upon my first listen to Third I was like, what the heck is this, 2nd spin was like oh okay I can see where their going. Third listen and thereafter, I was sold. I can only think of two tracks, actually maybe only one track, that I would consider fast forward material, cant remember the name(s), though. Seeing the mixed reviews of this CD reminds me of the criticisms of Wu-Tang Forever, especially in regards to the song structure. The female vocalist,Beth Gibbons(?) is NICE,she's used like Blue Rasberry, for those of you who own Only Built for Cuban Linx, listen to Rainy Dayz, that's the first comparison that comes to mind, Blue's vibe on that song is Beth's vibe for all of Third.
I dont wanna get too long winded, so let me wrap up by saying that if you are into anyone that I mentioned, I would recommend Third, if you've never heard of anyone I mentioned above, give 'em a try. Lastly, I WILL be buying previous releases, by Portishead, nuff said.
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