Comments on: Portishead “Third” Review

By: B9

B9 — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:29:19 +0000

I’m way late to this party, but I’ve had this album since about a week after it was released; and now for a story…

I was going through my music collection today and came across an album cover I didn’t recognize. After looking over it for a moment I realized that this was the latest Portishead album. “Where did this come from?”….oh right…I bought it how long ago? Portishead is decent, so why haven’t I been listening to this?
To answer all my questions, I opened the case to see the receipt sitting on the cd. I tucked it behind the booklet and popped the album in my stereo for a long overdue (or so I thought) listen.
Now I must say that I’ve always been a fan of trip hop, with Portishead and Massive Attack sitting on top of my choice playlists. But after listening to this third outing, I know why Massive Attack has always garnered more playtime.
I agreed with many of the comments before mine in that less isn’t always more. Sure the album has some nice moments, but wow is it ever dull. I’m not going to apologize for disliking this album. Ain’t going to happen. Why? Because the ‘Port is Dead’ (say it fast)…. Stick it out with their 90’s material.

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:28:26 +0000

It is incompetent in so many ways to throw the comparison of Chinese Democracy around so liberally… mainly because Portishead started working on this albums material in or around 2005-6, didn’t expect it to shatter the face of music as drastically like the next British invasion or UFO, never recalled it, and didn’t get plastic surgeries to accompany the comeback!! I feel like writing three pages about the b.s. in this review, but when scrolling, everyone disagrees with this author that has said all the predictable counterparts to anything positive that came out of this disc. All of them, stereotypical at best; many to most could have been thought of without even giving the disc a listen! i.e. the assumptions I myself had before doing so…

By: Chris DeLine

Chris DeLine — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:37:06 +0000

Tossed it in the jam-box a few weeks back and it stands up, can’t say that I feel any different about it now than I did then. Still a solid album from start to finish.

By: jdtart

jdtart — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:07:17 +0000

As with several others on here, I was anticipating this new album… got it, listened to it, HATED it. Was SO upset. Then, I let it play through one [late] night, and suddenly, it was awesome. Now, it spins once a day. I am so glad I didn’t toss it on first listen.

By: kudzu

kudzu — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:25:09 +0000

it has the same portishead feel to me and i think its pretty much okay.

By: james

james — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:19:49 +0000

Changing style is one thing. Departing from everything that makes your music interesting is another. I loved Portishead’s earlier work. I really do not find Third interesting at all. Whereas previously the music had a lot of range and dynamics, this is really quite monotonous isn’t it? Where is Beth’s range? She is constantly in her “small” voice, never growls and no sass. The music just loops. Every time the music seems to be building energy reminiscent of the emotional crescendos of the prev 2 albums, everything fizzles out before exhaling any real emotion. At best, it teases. But not very well. Once I found it went nowhere, I lost all interest. Honestly, it sounded like the band was disinterested and simply fulfilling a contract.

By: J-F Desfossés

J-F Desfossés — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:19:16 +0000

As in any band that changes style continuing to explore,(Dylan going electric,Radiohead doing Kid A, Beatles with Revolver, etc), there will be criticism. However Portishead are evolving and are not merely relying on an old recipe for success, and should be commended for it.

If 70’s Pink Floyd and NiN were to come back fused as a band, this is an album I would have expected from them.

As I am an avid fan of both, you have guessed that I love Third !

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:16:30 +0000

First listen – major disappointment. Read reviews to see what I might be missing, or confirm my feelings about it and found many people LOVING this CD. Waited a couple of months and tried it again…not as offensive, but still doesn’t have what I had come to love about Portishead. Here, I finally find some people willing to give this album its due – it’s crap! Phead got the creepy part right, but left out the beauty, the rich, multitextured sound, and memorable melodies and lyrics that made us fall in love with them back when.

By: ryan

ryan — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:03:54 +0000

amen brother. this album absolutely crackles; shit is electric son.

By: Tomas

Tomas — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:45:15 +0000

Nice surprise from Portishead!