the 31 best of 2008 – 28: Portishead – Third

Ten years.

Ten years is how long it was since a Portishead album was released. There has been much talk, and even more speculation about another album, but nothing ever came. So, when the news that Thirdwas going to FINALLY be released this year, this fanboy was elated. See, Portishead is one of my favorite groups; some of the songs that they have are so powerful and filled with emotion that they draw me in like almost no one else can. Beth Gibbon’s haunting voice is like no other, and she wields it like a drug to which I am hopelessly and utterly addicted to. Only having three albums (really only two, since one is just a live album), I was salivating for more Portishead, because they are one of those groups that there really isn’t anyone else out there like them; which is amazing, but saddening when they go on ten year hiatuses.

When I finally got my hands on Third earlier this year, I almost bet myself that it would be instant love. However, what happened was not what I was expecting, and here’s why… I think that when you have a 10 year span to build up until your next release, no matter what you do, it will never be everything that you (or your fans) want it to be. This doesn’t mean that it isn’t brilliant, but it does mean that it may not have the chance to surpass the brilliance displayed a decade ago… perhaps it is only meant to add to that brilliance; which it does. Such is the case with Third, it does not surpass its predecessors, but it comes close to meeting them and adds something amazing to their already impressive catalog.

This record is a cohesive piece of music; each song almost sounds out of place if listened to alone. There aren’t many stand out tracks with the aching moan of Sour Times (for which, I am sure, they are best known for), but overall, this album is truly a work of art. They managed to take their sound and age it almost perfectly for the time that had passed. It is important to remember that they were instrumental in creating the movement of trip hop, and with this album, they have shown that they are still serious contributors to, and shapers of, their ever growing, and ever changing genre. Third is massive, it is epic, it is overwhelming at moments, but it is digestible and enjoyable throughout.

Any true Portishead would love this record, it has everything: the haunting vocals, the tribal banging beats, the warbled guitars, the distorted rhythmic tremblings; they are all there. However, this time around, they have gone darker, deeper, and the result is something aching, and beautiful. For me, as I mentioned, no matter what they did, it could not soar higher than their second, self titled album (which is an all time top 5 album for me), but this album comes damn close; and considering the ten year gap, that ain’t half bad. I just hope that I don’t have to wait ten more years for more great music from this amazing band.

Sparkle Factor:
Stand Outs: We Carry On, Machine Gun, Nylon Smile, Threads.