Review: Portishead - Third
Portishead
Third
Island/Universal
Musical reunions usually fall into one of two categories. Bands get back together either because bank balances are running low or to attend to some form of unfinished business. Thankfully, Portishead belong to the latter category. Despite the decade-long wait between Third and its self-titled predecessor, the trip-hop trio from Bristol has reemerged from obscurity with some of its most exciting work to date. The style and substance of Third aren't exactly puppies and rainbows. There's a dark and vulnerable edge that permeates throughout the eleven new offerings, exemplified by the stuttered industrial throb of first single 'Machine Gun.' Despite her fondness for chain smoking, singer Beth Gibbons' piercing vocals and bleak lyrics are mesmerising and go hand in hand with the haunting sounds emanating from the instruments of collaborators Adrian Utley and Geoff Barrow. Though it feels slightly minimal at times, there is a lot to discover on this album. In this writer's opinion, Third time's a charm. JOSH BROWN
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I'm proud to say that this review is the album of the week in the current issue of BMA! :)
Third
Island/Universal
Musical reunions usually fall into one of two categories. Bands get back together either because bank balances are running low or to attend to some form of unfinished business. Thankfully, Portishead belong to the latter category. Despite the decade-long wait between Third and its self-titled predecessor, the trip-hop trio from Bristol has reemerged from obscurity with some of its most exciting work to date. The style and substance of Third aren't exactly puppies and rainbows. There's a dark and vulnerable edge that permeates throughout the eleven new offerings, exemplified by the stuttered industrial throb of first single 'Machine Gun.' Despite her fondness for chain smoking, singer Beth Gibbons' piercing vocals and bleak lyrics are mesmerising and go hand in hand with the haunting sounds emanating from the instruments of collaborators Adrian Utley and Geoff Barrow. Though it feels slightly minimal at times, there is a lot to discover on this album. In this writer's opinion, Third time's a charm. JOSH BROWN
---
I'm proud to say that this review is the album of the week in the current issue of BMA! :)