Portishead’s third album Third deserves to chart high on various end of years lists, though only time (and more lists) will tell. If such a category exists, the Bristol trio should also receive comeback of the year. If you’ve listened to Third, seen them live, or watched the videos for “Machine Gun” or “The Rip,” you know this. On the visual front, “Machine Gun”’s clip featured an icy live approach, while “The Rip” went for surreal animation. Longtime collaborator John Minton’s “Magic Doors” combines a bit of both. You don’t get straight up band footage, but you will spot Beth looking concerned along with a busy overlay created by dusky sail boats, a Warholian banana, someone chopping a cucumber, words highlighted from the lyrics (“desire,” “wrong”), cities, feet, cards, fireworks, a frying egg, etc. It’ll take more than a few viewings to piece it all together into some sort of narrative.
The general aesthetic reminds me of the cover of Sonic Youth’s Sister.
“Magic Doors,” Third’s third single, is out 12/15 via Island Records. You’ll be able to get it in two formats: A 12″ with etched vinyl and the less sexy digital bundle that includes three tracks — “Silence”, “Threads” and “Mysterons” — recorded during Portishead’s great performance at this past Coachella.
Third is out via Island.
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finally a new video!that’s magic!
I don’t know. I hate being a naysayer, but I’m pretty disappointed with their stuff that came out this year. It’s just not quite…Portishead. You know, sophisticated and intelligent, with sultry rhythms and rifts that complimented Gibbons’ sumptuous voice. Yes, it’s still edgy, but these new tracks are depressing and do far less to showcase their talented production and her vocals. The effects processing and production feel unfinished and this and the Machine Gun videos try to be arty, but they just feel amateur. I’ll just keep playing my old albums, I guess, until they come back. I feel like they all must be suffering temporary depression or maybe had to use a makeshift studio somewhere in a barn. Maybe they just need time. I really do love Portishead as much as I loved Massive Attack. I wish them the best and remain hopeful.
Trip-hop is dead. It died in 1998. I’m glad Portishead moved on to a new sound.
Emiliana sorry that i have to disagree for me Third is one of their best work…have in mind that they came back after 10 years, of course something has changed but not in a bad way!
yawn
coachella probably couldn’t have been as amazing as the rehearsal show they played the night before at the mayan… one of the best shows i’ve ever seen
I don’t think Beth looks concerned. Is she not smiling in some of those clips? I might be hallucinating. They were amazing at Coachella.
@ screaming girl noise
I see your yawn and I raise you a snore…
I’m so glad Portishead is back. Finally, music for intelligent people without the ridiculous bells and whistles and fake, pity party emo bullshit. Portishead can’t fail.
I can do a much better video than that…believe me you F@#$ers!!!!
Sois de lo mejor ;me alegra que hayais vuelto.Gracias
Hmm…
i like it
Too panicky. It’s like you see an old world coming down and Portishead is playing at its funeral. Most people try to move on.
I love this song…. and video too
Didnt like it, pretty linear, simple and flat, nothing to do with Portishead. Sorry
coachella probably couldn’t have been as amazing as the rehearsal show they played the night before at the mayan… one of the best shows i’ve ever seen
i love it its haunting and beautiful