RIYL: Massive Attack, Sneaker Pimps, Lamb, Radiohead
In the 10 years since their last release, a lot has changed for the famed British trip-hop band Portishead. Gone is the clever sampling that gave them such a distinctive sound and the concise tunesmithing that helped earn them worldwide acclaim. On ‘Third’, their long awaited third LP, the sounds are angrier, more industrial, and at times so bleak that Beth Gibbons’ distinctive vocals are the only hint of daylight. To be clear, it’s an excellent album, but not nearly orlistat or alli as accessible as their wildly successful 1994 debut CD ‘Dummy’.
Gibbons’ bleak 2003 solo album ‘Out of Season’ explored similar realms, but her ability to sing over droning electronics, incessant drum loops and storms of discordant guitar on ‘Third’ make her efforts here even more impressive. There are no Whitney Houston-style histrionics to be found. Tortured and forlorn, Gibbons vocals probe the depths of fear and regret, putting heartbreak into words with an emotional clarity that’s risqué even in today’s world of constant social media-inspired over-sharing.
There are some softer moments like “Deep Water”, which is strummed on a ukulele, but it’s sandwiched between “We Carry On” and “Machine Gun” two of the most discordant tracks. “The Rip” hints at some hopefulness early on, but there’s no denying the unfettered darkness on “Small”, a bipolar piece that alternates between chaotic choruses and hushed verses as Gibbons recalls “…the night that we met/ Tasted a wine that I’ll never forget.”
As has always been the case, much of Portisheads’ allure lies in Gibbons’ willingness to lay herself bare, with lines that speak of a turmoil most vocalists are hesitant to reveal. On the albums emotional climax “Magic Doors”, she rises above dystopic synthesizers and harsh percussion to deliver a cathartic performance, wailing the lines “I’m losing myself/ My desire I cant have/ No reason I am for.” A frightening saxophone solo follows, and its impossible to not feel a little unsettled by the powerful forces at play. It happens all too often on ‘Third’, but if the past is any indication, you’ll have plenty of time to process before their next release.
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For More Information Visit:
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http://www.portishead.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/portishead
http://www.myspace.com/PORTISHEADALBUM3
http://www.mercuryrecords.com
