Third

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Portishead's IThird/I has been a long time coming, the result of a lengthy creative topor following 1997's dark, distinctly underrated album iPortishead/i. 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 IThird/I'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 IThird/I is a brave and forward-thinking return, and one great enough to justify its lengthy gestation. i--Louis Pattison/i

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2009-04-13 rating:
i prefer what the irish call it
i prefer what the irish call it. Some of this record would be amazing (especially the Silver Apples rip-off) if it wasn't for that bloody woman. S.T.F.U. Can we have a dub version please? br / br /;o)

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review by: C Pickle date: 2009-04-02 rating:
Give this the space it needs
Having read a number of reviews of this album, I nearly didn't buy it. The reviews were mixed at best with some very harsh comments about the style. Fans can be fickle and a new offering often raises expectations and can easily disappoint those that loved what came before. OK, Dummy it is not, but imagine the comments if Portishead had produced more of the same. I buy albums by bands like Portishead because I need something more challenging within my collection. Third sits alongside albums like Thom Yorkes The Eraser, which was equally 'unconfortable/beautiful/haunting' to listen to, and I think this is what has upset a some listeners. Third is a beautiful album that works best when 'viewed' as a whole, yes there are tracks which have 'instant' appeal such as the beautiful and haunting The Rip, but the album needs time to be enjoyed and should be listened to as a whole piece to allow it to draw you in to its world. It is a cross over album that blends a lot of styles, without sounding like any of them making it difficult to put in a 'box'. This is Portisheads sound, Beth Gibbons voice is stunning and fits the context of the album perfectly. The sound is cinematic and beautifully produced, sounding uncluttered but with enough depth to draw you right in, and deserves to be given enough time to be enjoyed. This could not have been achieved with a collection of 'obvious' singles, padded out with sub standard filler or by re visiting Dummy. br / br /Third is the perfect soundtrack to these uncertain times. Give it space, turn out the lights, close your eyes and let Portishead take you on a journey, allow Third to take you to where it needs you to go, rather than the route you expected it to take and you will not be disappointed. I am greatful to bands like Portishead who I hope will continue until they have said what they need and then, like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland will vanish.....leaving nothing remaining but........a smile.

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review by: Dan date: 2009-02-25 rating:
Well Worth the Wait
Having waited eleven years to return with such a highly anticipated third album, one could be forgiven for thinking that Portishead's 'Third' would be anything other than a shattering disappointment. For many of the band's dedicated following, questions as to how relevant Portishead could be in 2008 were sure to be raised. Furthermore, doubt was also bound to be cast over the possibility that they mightn't be able to recapture the essence of what made them such a unique band in the first place. With expectations of unprecedented scope, Portishead have somehow managed to create an album of such staggering brilliance as to render any preconceived doubts, ridiculous. 'Third' displays a significant development in Portishead's sound, whilst maintaining the underlying elements at the heart of their two previous albums. A concoction of electronic experimentation, tribal drum beats and Beth Gibbons' hauntingly fragile vocals, make for Portishead's darkest, most tension-fuelled album to date. Opener `Silence' sets the tone with a repetitive drum section and sparse bass allowing Gibbons to take full focus with typically introspective lyrics and delicate delivery. `We Carry On', arguably one of the band's finest achievements yet, adopts a similar approach, utilising tribal sounding drums to create almost unbearable tension, before reaching an epic, guitar-led chorus. `Machine Gun' shows Portishead at their most experimental. Centred on a menacing electronic drum beat, the track provides one of 'Third's' most distinctive moments, producing an atmosphere quite unlike anything they have previously released. In fact, `Machine Gun' may be seen as a bold statement of intent, given that it was the band's comeback single, albeit with an extremely limited release, the song clearly serves as a reminder that Portishead are not a band content with playing things safe. br /'Third' also has its quieter moments; `The Rip' highlights the band's more melodic sensibilities via subtle acoustic guitar and vocals, while the eerie `Deep Water', perfectly placed between `We Carry On' and `Machine Gun', offers a moment's respite from the sonic abrasion of the tracks it lies between. br /The one minor criticism that could be levelled at Third is the occasionally muddy sound of its production. Whilst the lo-fi production techniques at work here are well suited to most of the tracks, there are moments, such as on `Plastic', `Small' and `Threads', in which the overall clarity of the instrumentation can be slightly lost. However, such imperfections are easy to overlook in light of this most spectacular of comebacks. Let's just hope we don't have to wait quite so long for album number four. br /

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review by: old muso date: 2009-02-14 rating:
good stuff
Always loved this band for their trip hop beats and off key lyrics. This album was given rave reviews in the papers, and I waited a bit before I bought it, but on the whole a good Third. And different enough from a lot of today's sounds to work for me.


review by: date: 2009-02-13 rating:
lose the singer
yeah yeah i know beth gibbons so emotional, so intense blah de blah. But after 10 years her limited tone and schoolgirl poet lyrics keep ph back inside a rather small and only moderately interesting box. Although musically the band move into new areas her solipsism and hysteria keep shifting them into reverse. She just doesn't have the emotional range or vocal ability of mr. yorke, say. They need to take the lead from kid a. Scrap the voice and shred the lyric sheets.

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