Portishead – Third (Review)
Bristol is undergoing something of resurgence at the moment – with Tricky and Martine Topley-Bird all releasing new albums in the near future, and a Massive Attack album long overdue.
So finding themselves unusually early to the party are Portishead – who after a sizable absence will release Third on April 28th, surprisingly only their 3rd studio album and their first release since the 1998 ‘Live at Roseland’ album/DVD.
As you would expect – its a dark, almost menacing affair – laiden with mutant beats and some savage effects, there is no scratching this time – but the other familiar sounds are all in place, particularly Beth Gibbons amazing voice.
It is an amazing return to form – in a world full of crappy comebacks, this glows like a slightly dusty diamond amongst the shit. Welcome back Bristol.
Click more for a track by track review
Track by Track Review – Portishead : Third
Silence : opening with some spoken word (Portugeuse I think) and a darkly rolling breakbeat, this is a great opener – with a superb vocal line and an abrupt finish that will have you checking your headphone cable
Hunter : this is what Scott Walker would sound like if a) he moved all the early 70′s stuff up to today and b) he was a girl. Laiden with reverb and sixties styling this is super listening.
So confused, my thoughts are taken over…
Unwanted horizons face me instead, and won’t let go
Nylon Smile : Tribal sounding beats and weird vocal effects coupled with a beautiful guitar line on this one - Beth Gibbons sounds super plaintive
I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you
I don’t know what I’ll do without you
The Rip : Easily my favourite tune on the album, starts off with a really simple synth sound and a gently plucked guitar riff, with nicely echoed vocals. About halfway through it’s joined by a lush, arpeggiating keyboard line following the guitar, it almost sounds like a jam session with great lyrics. Its a brilliant effect and an instant classic for me.
Through the glory of life, I will scatter on the floor, disappointed and sore
Plastic : Sounds like a helicopter with drumbeats over, under and inside it – amazing.
We Carry On : This reminds of some old German industrial music, huge bass noise – coupled with a brutal keyboard noise, and some noisy drums. Easily the toughest tune on the album.
The taste of love, you can’t describe, is choking up my mind
Deep Water : Short track, played on what sounds like a Ukulele or Toy Guitar – almost a 1920′s bluegrass melody. Very Pretty indeed, and light relief after ‘We Carry On’
Machine Gun : This sounds like the slightly stoned mutant brother of Blue Monday by New Order – staccato drum sounds and boomy bass noises.
Small : Beautiful, beautiful track – simple guitar some cello and Beth’s gentle vocal kick things off and then a great organ line bring a whole 70′s/Morricone feel to my mind.
If I remember, the night that we met
tasted a wine, that I’ll never forget…
Magic Doors : Great breakbeat on this, the bastard stepchild of early hip-hop.
Threads : This sounds the closest to vintage Portihead to me, guitar line, string sounds and vocal the builds and twists around the backing.
I’m always so unsure
Mar 14, 2008 @ 04:01:27
Yes, in the “Silence”, the opening is in portuguese language.
I am brazilian and if you want, i can translate the opening for you. =)
And this album is great!
A strong sound, with more stronger lyrics!
beautiful, as usual.
Mar 14, 2008 @ 10:49:34
nando – thanks, I’d love to read the translation…
Mar 15, 2008 @ 14:42:49
11 years and what do me get? Their best album yet. Which seems almost strange to me because I loved Dummy and S/T. I can’t wait to have the physical copy.
Mar 15, 2008 @ 22:12:11
Here is the translate of the opening in the music “Silence”.
I hope my english is very well, yet. =)
“Be alert to the rules of 3.
What you give, will return to you.
That lesson, you have to learn.
You only earn what you deserve.”
If you want, add me in the MSN or GTalk:
pookamensch@hotmail.com
nandopera@gmail.com
Mar 15, 2008 @ 22:17:57
Obrigado Nando!
Thanks very much for that useful translation…
Mar 16, 2008 @ 01:28:08
We welcome Mattr. Or in portuguese, de nada.
Hey, i can’t stop listen the album… it touch my mind like a punch, but don’t hurt! hehehe
Apr 03, 2008 @ 06:43:55
Nice review. This record is WAY beyond my expectations. BRILLIANT! I think they have made a real masterpiece here. (only 2 listens so maybe i’m just excited, but…) The only reference you have missed is there is a lot of krautrock feel: Neu! and Kraftwerk – but homage not cheap derivative.
I have to plug the new The Notwist record (also leaked) that should accompany this and anyone who likes Portishead should know about this brilliant band (their 2004 album Neon Golden is in the top 10 records of all time: well in mine!)
Thank you P_head… it’s just amazing. wow.
Apr 08, 2008 @ 13:51:59
The correct translation is:
“Beware of the rule of 3
What you give, you will get in return
You must learn this lesson
You only get what you deserve.”
I’m not warming up to this album quite yet. It’s not about the band, but about the sound.
Apr 09, 2008 @ 10:42:48
I really don’t understand the praise for this record. I was looking forward to it as much as anyone else but on repeated listen it is a real let down.
Third Review
The Other Blog » Blog Archive » A Review of Portishead’s Third
Apr 23, 2008 @ 11:39:18
[...] Third opens with a song called Silence, which I wish it had been for the first half of the song. It starts out with someone speaking Portuguese, which I pat myself on the back for recognizing. A search for the translation brought me to a comment on Matt Rutherford’s review. [...]
Apr 25, 2008 @ 18:56:59
caught it on tv their live recording , been a avid fan of their past work .. im in a very jaded mood latley or have been ost of my life and this just hits the spot…you gotta be in the state of mind they are in the too truly appreciate this music , fantastic ..really luvin silence
May 09, 2008 @ 07:05:01
Beautiful! Crazy! Especially Guitars!! Great , still to get records like this..
May 11, 2008 @ 17:25:00
i agree with all completely, it is astouding, the best album since (and equal to) In Rainbows.
if you like it, feel free to check out my tunes at the above myspace link- i am from bristol and also make dark but hopeful music! enjoy! nikolai.
May 18, 2008 @ 04:06:51
I really agree with the review, ‘The Rip’ and ‘Small’ are the most amazing tracks on this album, they are haunting me and they are somehow filled with magic. I love Portishead and the way the meaning in their songs unfolds over time. I’m really looking forward to discovering more.
May 20, 2008 @ 06:42:07
This album isn’t like the first two. Learn it, and learn to like it for what it is. Or don’t.
Hunter is probably my favorite track, followed by The Rip. I hated the weird effect on Plastic on first listen and now I think it makes the song. This is NOT an easy listen. But who expected that?
Aug 24, 2008 @ 22:20:44
Third is an amazing piece [or pieces ] of music. I concur with all that has been written and said about it…..the music speaks powerfully to me [a fripp/Can/flamenco fan] AND the vocals have an [occasional] ethereal quality with lyrics that tantalize. Those that I can decipher fit my life experience so well…. the strains and delights of mature relationships. Music for the heart, head and feet – who could ask for more?
Jan 04, 2009 @ 18:03:54
It’s a grower, and has been worth the wait. My only fear is, where do they go from here, if at all?
Even if they do nothing else, what a perfect trilogy they’ve created – ‘Music By’ is still my personal favourite, but this one is really growing on me!