Portishead - Third

I can't say that I've always been a huge fan of Portishead, but I certainly respect their work. While they often get labeled as trip-hop, I don't think that's very accurate, especially their latest album, Third.

There are artists out there that transcend genres; Johnny Cash, Sigur Ros, Leonard Cohen come to mind. Certainly Portishead have moved beyond 'trip-hop' and into just being 'Portishead' minus any genre.

Third is the culmination of that movement. Here, Portishead strip away all conventions, beat back any attempts at categorization and create something almost entirely fresh. I say 'almost' because there is one thread, one small bread crumb trail to be found on this new adventure. It's Beth Gibbons haunting voice. In previous works, it was used to add to the power and mood of a track. But on Third, her voice is put to a much better use. It's a guide, a small beacon of comforting familiarity on the bizarre and surreal odyssey that this album takes you on.

The album opens with "Silence". It's one of the more beat and melody driven pieces on the album. But lyrically, it sets the tone. "Empty in our hearts, Crying out in silence, Wandered out of reach, too far to speak, Drifting, unable," Beth laments.

"Hunter" drifts from ultra-delicate, distant vocals and light strings to heavy dirge-like synthesizers. There's a sense of travel in many of their songs, of motion. "I stand on the edge of a broken sky, And I'm looking down, don't know why. And if I should fall, would you hold me?", she queries.

No instrument goes unturned. Everything is laid out like a strange garden, where every sound is a new exotic plant or flower. Beth takes you by the hand and leads you through this beautiful but dangerous sylvan. Nowhere is this more apparent than on "Machine Gun". Brutal staccato synthesized drums punch erratically throughout the song, jarring and unnerving. You find yourself clinging to Gibbon's vocals for a sense of reprieve, although she gives none. Drifting analog synthesizers come in (That oddly remind me of Vangelis' work) near the end, only adding to the sense of discordance and chaos. It's a signature piece of work on an already singular album.

Which brings me around to labels again. I think many of the fans of Dummy will be disappointed with Third. In fact, I'm not sure if the public in general will know what to do with this. It's much like the film Apocalypse Now. It's a fantastic film, an amazingly well done piece of art. But it's also gruelling. It takes a toll on you emotionally, and although you might have it in your collection, it's not something you put on casually. Third is a journey not for the faint of heart, nor for the top 40.

MP3: Portishead - Magic Doors Removed as per label request
Purchase through Amazon - Third
Portishead