Lets cut straight to what everybody who’s shunned the illegal torrent file and is still waiting loyally for the authentic version has been thinking: Has Third been worth the 11 year wait? Well, yes, just about. Third is a great record that, like most of Portishead’s back catalogue, takes a dozen listens to before you even begin to enjoy and understand how its beauty, complexity, subtleness and dense layers combine to create a truly mystifying whole. Don’t expect a grand departure or startling re-evaluation that will cause your world to implode. Third is very much still a Portishead record like Dummy and their eponymous follow-up. Portishead have clung to the hallmark sounds that made them uniquely Portishead in the first place: Eerie atmospherics, claustrophobic turns, the haunting & tender vocals of Beth Gibbons, melancholic melodies and paranoid beats set to a cinematic soundscape. That's not to say that Third simply replicates its predecessors trip-hop sounds, Geoff Barrow recently called it the big brother to Dummy and Portishead and he’s right. But as much as it borrows from its siblings, Third also veers off on interesting new tangents and directions. Traditional Hip-Hop samples and scratching are replaced by stark synths, dance-paced rhythms, piano and folky guitars. Silence and We Carry On initially stand out with their tribal beats, unsettling post-punk guitar figures and merry-go-round synth keys. The psychedelic organ on Small turns the track into a deranged Doors song whilst Deep Water really surprises (and kind of disappoints) with its moon-light basking ukulele and barbershop backing vocals. Standout tracks are The Rip, Plastic, Machine Gun and Magic Doors, which collectively manage to reinvigorate Portishead's sound. From the beautiful organic-to-synthetic build-up of The Rip, the aggressive and evil electronica of Machine Gun to the exquisitely chopped up drum fills on Plastic. Gibbons puts in a beautiful vocal performance on Magic Doors, the crushed piano chords adding to the artistry and power of her lyrics. These are the songs that earn Portishead a much needed authenticity that will see them through 2008 and beyond. But as good as they are, Third is far from perfect. There are several occasions (Hunter, Nylon Smile & Threads) where the tracks seem to amble on without the spectacular crescendos or emotive peaks Portishead are so fantastic at constructing. Call it experimental, sub-par, whatever, they simply aren’t as good as the rest (well, not after less than 10 listens anyway!) and the album suffers as a result. All this aside, Third is another fine offering and welcome return from a group who has been sorely missed for over a decade. The NME may say, Portishead are Back! Back! Back! but somehow it seems as if they never went away at all. John Thornton

Nice one jonnypop, I really enjoyed your review.

I think the band have defo leaked the album on purpose, so that anyone who has managed to get tickets (like me) has had the chance to check it out pre the gig and because the album is so hard to get into!

To be honest, I'm quite disappointed with the album. I've really tried my best to fall in love with it , cause I am a huge fan. I've probably listened to it between 25/30 times and there's only  4 maybe 6 tracks that I'm genuinely enjoying.

I'm really looking forward to the reviews and marks in the music press, but if I was writing one , I'm afraid I couldn't give it more than 3.5 out of 5 (sorry everyone)!

I will still give it another dozen listens, if I've not fallen for buy then I'm selling my tickets.

sharivari:

I think the band have defo leaked the album on purpose, so that anyone who has managed to get tickets (like me) has had the chance to check it out pre the gig and because the album is so hard to get into!

I very, very much doubt they did it themselves. Extremely unlikely.  

 

sharivari:

I will still give it another dozen listens, if I've not fallen for buy then I'm selling my tickets.

And they said the music business was in trouble!

 
Seriously though, it's OK if something doesn't do it for you. At least you haven't gone down the "I think they should have used more pan pipes" route beloved of some web mongs.

 

 

Absolutely loved the record after only the first spin, a brilliant evolution from the older material.  Highlights for me were Silence Nylon Smile, The Rip, and Machine Gun.  Awesome record!

Wow.

 Congratulations.

 
Not may things in this life that are still worth the wait, Third is.

 
Nite xx
 

 Oh, and the other half hasn't ever heard such rubbish so definitely a great record!

The album is good... its very much NOT Trip Hop in anyway. I miss the old record sounds... The song Threads seems like a song that couldve been from their self titled album.

Silence

We Carry On

Machine Gun

Threads     are all my favs... so far.

I guess I was lucky.

On the first listen, this album catapulted to the top of the releases I will cherish for quite a long time. Along with Massive Attack's «Mezzanine» and Sneaker Pimp's «Splinter», this album pushes the atmosphere of trip-hop in a wonderful direction, with the utmost simplicity.

I tried to get into «Dummy» and «Portishead» with limited success, though I adored to bits Beth's collaboration with Paul Webb on «Out of Season». I am not sure that the collaboration has any preparation to like this album, except perhaps for Nylon Smile.

In terms of the point made on lack-of-crescendo songs, I have only disliked (somewhat, more at relative to the others) Small, which is one with the most dramatic crescendos throughout, on account of the 60s (or Prog-like) organ sound. I feel that it does not hold the atmosphere well. I also like the interregnum that is offered by Deep Water.

Not sure how the album fits with expectations or how much it strays from Trip Hop, but these are academic issues of labeling and evolution of Trip Hop.
 

sharivari:

I will still give it another dozen listens, if I've not fallen for buy then I'm selling my tickets.

well, if you still don't like it, which show have you got tickets for? cos i've heard Machine Gun this morning and I'm so gutted i didn't manage to get tickets for the show before it sold out, so i might be interested in helping you out :-)

Portishead - Third

 01 - Silence
This song starts with a monologue and continues as if it tells you a very moving story. Don't be deceived by it's name :)

02 - Hunter
In this song, if you have not a love, you remember it again :)

03 - Nylon Smile
There are not so much thing about this song. I think, it is the best song in this album for the aspects of it's music and lyrics. Especially, the best moment is that your being alone with Beth Gibbons's vocal at the end of the song.

04 - The Rip
It starts very slow and therefore you think that it will end in that shape but it doesn't. It surprisingly changing!

05 - Plastic
It is absolutely a classic of Portishead! I think it is a song that Beth Gibbons is carrying her vocal to the tops and in this song there are a lot of kinds of sounds.

06 - We Carry On
Just walk in this song. Wear your headphone and just walk. If a person has a target; he really can reach it by listening this song. We carry on is faster than the other songs and it's lyrics are really wonderful...

07 - Deep Water
It causes you to feel as if you were in a bar in South America. The weather is very hot but you are drinking your cold drink... There is an instrument which is playing gently and there is a beautiful woman who is singing a relaxing song sincerely... This song is that song indeed! :)

08 - Machine Gun
Machine Gun is an extraordinary song. It is so different and beautiful that you want to listen it in repeat mode. In my opinion; it exposes all the wars in the heart of a man. You realize that it is again you who are your enemy and fellow in this song. So, we are greatful to Portishead ! I can't find anything for this song, it's wonderful!

09 - Small
If you want to dream about something, if you want to think about your past life and if you want to experience a time which is very romantic; you must add this song to your playlist. Beth Gibbos is saying that; "If I remember the night that we met, Tasted a wine that I'll never forget..." for you in Small. :)

10 - Magic Doors
The melody of this song is really wonderful! The music which is playing at the beginning of the song is really impressive. And the lyrics... They are amazing... This song is full of self-image and I like it...

11 - Threads
I think that it is the second best song in the album. You want to say "I’m always so unsure" with Beth Gibbons in the chorus part...

 

To sum up, this album; like other albums, effects us deeply... There are really good songs...

Let's add all of the Portishead albums to our playlist and listen them until the mornings !

 

duudan:

Portishead - Third

 01 - Silence
This song starts with a monologue and continues as if it tells you a very moving story. Don't be deceived by it's name :)

02 - Hunter
In this song, if you have not a love, you remember it again :)

03 - Nylon Smile
There are not so much thing about this song. I think, it is the best song in this album for the aspects of it's music and lyrics. Especially, the best moment is that your being alone with Beth Gibbons's vocal at the end of the song.

04 - The Rip
It starts very slow and therefore you think that it will end in that shape but it doesn't. It surprisingly changing!

05 - Plastic
It is absolutely a classic of Portishead! I think it is a song that Beth Gibbons is carrying her vocal to the tops and in this song there are a lot of kinds of sounds.

06 - We Carry On
Just walk in this song. Wear your headphone and just walk. If a person has a target; he really can reach it by listening this song. We carry on is faster than the other songs and it's lyrics are really wonderful...

07 - Deep Water
It causes you to feel as if you were in a bar in South America. The weather is very hot but you are drinking your cold drink... There is an instrument which is playing gently and there is a beautiful woman who is singing a relaxing song sincerely... This song is that song indeed! :)

08 - Machine Gun
Machine Gun is an extraordinary song. It is so different and beautiful that you want to listen it in repeat mode. In my opinion; it exposes all the wars in the heart of a man. You realize that it is again you who are your enemy and fellow in this song. So, we are greatful to Portishead ! I can't find anything for this song, it's wonderful!

09 - Small
If you want to dream about something, if you want to think about your past life and if you want to experience a time which is very romantic; you must add this song to your playlist. Beth Gibbos is saying that; "If I remember the night that we met, Tasted a wine that I'll never forget..." for you in Small. :)

10 - Magic Doors
The melody of this song is really wonderful! The music which is playing at the beginning of the song is really impressive. And the lyrics... They are amazing... This song is full of self-image and I like it...

11 - Threads
I think that it is the second best song in the album. You want to say "I’m always so unsure" with Beth Gibbons in the chorus part...

 

To sum up, this album; like other albums, effects us deeply... There are really good songs...

Let's add all of the Portishead albums to our playlist and listen them until the mornings !

 

You HAVE to apply for a job reviewing for the NME. It would be a riot. People wouldn't know how to take it.

what did u mean exactly?

i'm from turkey, i'm not a native speaker :) 

Third reviewed by French webzine Pinkushion

 

Are you mad is it worth 11 years of waiting ? i am not saying it,s not a good album it is but has trip hop stud still in the last 11 years?  radiohead have done 6 records in that time two of them been ok computer and in rainbows. I have not been waiting for portisheads next opus. I have been listening to some great albums and some times go back and listen to dummy what a great record that was or is.  The new one i am now listening to it for the third time to night and it is growing on me not shure about machean gun yet the drum sounds like some early 80,s drum machean. nylon smile is good we carry on also. As i have said this is a grower and i expect it will go along side my other head records and will be played when i feel in the mood for a jont lets hope its not another 11 years for the next one by then i mite be into glen miller.    

Who's to say this your traditional ole trip hop?  I for one will not.  I see more of an art/kraut rock influence than a hip hop or jazz influence.  I'm not even sure if I could call it trip hop.  Anyway, this is definitely worth the wait for me.  Well no album should take 11 years but still this record makes you rethink some things.  It easily deserves better than a 9 rating.  Also, If you're going to bring radiohead into this I would just like to say that this album is much better than Radioheads last two albums. Muuuuch better.