"menacing", "dark", "frightening"...
are all words I'm seeing in various reviews for the album. Third is not a quick thrills kind of record, this is meant to be heard in long play format, and won't give you much instant gratification. However the long term rewards are well worth the investment.
Portishead have grown, and continue to shown their relevance for the listener that begs to be fed.
"Silence" - the album begins with a formal sounding Portuguese voice saying something to the affect of "you'll get what you deserve"..you are then led to a wind up of various electronic instruments until they all come together into a nice groove.the melodic bass line complements the drum track perfectly. at about 230 we are greeted with the familiar vocals of beth gibbons "...wounded and afraid.....going through changes". then it fully comes together,you realize that you are listening to the first new portishead music in 10 years. the cello heard through out really is the icing on the cake of this enjoyable opener.
"Hunter"
For all those that think portishead would be a good choice to do a james bond theme song, this song adds more fuel to that fire.pounding toms with tortured guitar make a good back drop for beth to swoon. "if i should fall would you hold me"?need you ask beth?
"Nylon Smile"
this track has a middle eastern flair with a very simple effective groove. you can picture a picture beth snaking charming the pants off of lover. this is a possible 3rd single on the album.this songs seems to be about beth's curtain relationship. "i dont know what i've dont to deserve you,I don't know what'd I do without you". Hopefully she has found someone worthy of her love.
"The Rip"
very similar to beth's solo album. we are treated to a simple classical guitar that starts off this gorgeous slow burner. What other song can you think of that features a bassoon during the climax? The vocal effects used on beth are truly appreciated when listened to at a high volume. This song was mixed and mastered perfectly.
"Plastic"
Broken beats, and the first sign on the album of classic portishead. This track could have fit in very well on their second album,and may be the track that links the two together. The classic stop, start method works again, and we know begin to see how the old portishead and the new fit together. This track is quite deep, filled with a lot of pink floyd snyth,and depths of hell moans.
"We Carry On"
A highlight of the recent tour, this track shows that Portishead is still progressing. "The taste of life I can't describe"...envelopes Silver Apples esque rhythms. The raw guitars and fantastic drumming really work well here. The music break down of the climax rivals the high moments off OK Computer. The changes of tempo and structure make this quite a thrill to soak in.
"Deep Water"
The first real shocker on the album comes equip with barbershop vocals courtesy of the someerfield workers choir.and yucke.
"Machine Gun"
Now the album takes a sharp turn into much darker territory.Here is where the menacing comments come in to play. Led by a brutal repetitive drum track, this song can only be appreciated on a nice stereo system. If you can last until the end you are treated with a climatic symth line that tops off the unforgiving first single. This song really must have been what Geoff was worried about on his blog, when he worried whether or not they would "piss off the fondue society". Beth's beautiful vocal and second shadow track really make this song listenable. They really wanted to challenge the listener here, and they succeeded.
"Small"
Probably a track that would fit on a cold rainy night by the fire place. This is really a signal that we are in the gut on the album.Slow guitars lead you through a emotional ride through beth's fragile mind. This track has a middle section that could have been on any doors album, and has enough musical goodies to entertain you through out.
"Magic Doors"
Whoever there there would be cowbell on a portishead record? Just one of many surprises on third.The lyrics "I can't deny what I've become, I'm just emotionally undone" flow perfectly with the smooth bass led opening.Another left turn near the end with brief saxophone segway into beth's final few words. This track is one of the more accessible tracks on Third.
"Threads"
A lot of fans have singled this out as their favorite on various blogs and message boards. As with Plastic we see a slight connection to older Portishead with this one. Another song that fits in with the songs on the second album, this track in a long closer that really tops off the album quite well. Beth gives a knockout bluesy vocal performance that leaves you begged for more, yet very satisfied.
