Music : Third

Rating: - rising above expectations & pre conceptions
this album is portishead through & through, its not a mere copycat of their previous albums, its slower & bleaker i think than the music they made 10 years ago.

its a beautiful album from start to finish, the opener sets the tone rather well, the songs that follow flow perfectly, this really is a perfectly formed album.

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Rating: - Portishead get heavy
A lot of people have a lot goodwill towards Portishead. Me included. I loved the first two albums but when I first heard Third I was a bit disappointed and found it pretty irritating. But I've listened to it several times, and it's grown in a way the previous two didn't. There are some really inventive, edgy, quirky, clever moments on 'Third' to songs stopping, to using unusual instruments, experimental percussion. If anything, the first single, Machine Gun, is one of my least favourite songs. Third starts off with radio voice over bubbling up, music getting faster, more intense, Beth Gibbon finally coming in and then - silence! There are some beautifully dreamy moments like 'Hunter' and one of the standout tracks, Threads. For me the final three songs are the best. Threads, just mentioned, but before that the Doors-esque Small and then the in-your face Magic Doors. I can imagine a few listeners not even making it to these songs, but it's really worth giving Third a few repeat listens. It's unpredictable and sharp. It is a harder work than the first two albums, but it's really rewarding. Cutting edge stuff. Well, done, Portishead!

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Rating: - Don't Give Up
Try ,try & try again - Third could take you three listens to get it. Yes it's discordant in parts, yes the vocals are not the strongest, yes there isn't a killer single, but the whole is a mature comeback statement from a truly great British band.

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Rating: - quite flat and boring..
I find that here really is not going on very much.
The songs are ok at best and just melt one into the other. Not very dynamic at all.
I am not impressed, given also, that it took them so long to come up with a follow up to their last, and to my ears stronger album.

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Rating: - WORK OF ART
This album is not pop music it is a work of art.Above anything that is out ther right now.