New Portishead track and video.

[Knuckledragger]

There's a new exclusive video on the Portishead website. You have make an account with your email address, but in my experience, the P do not spam.

The new track is "Machine Gun" and it's pretty clear how they came up with the name. It's pretty abrasive stuff. Those expecting Dummy-era sedate trip hop will be in for a surprise.

[en480c4]

Third leaked last week, and I couldn't resist. Here are my quick impressions from the WAYLTRN thread...

Portishead - Third

I'm not sure I can put into words how impressed I am with this album. I still remember when I first heard Dummy, and buying it and their S/T follow-up. To this day I'm still blown away every time I listen to or throw in the DVD of PNYC. But after 11 years, I had no idea what to expect. Was it going to be something like their first album, the slightly darker second album or something all together different. And to be honest, I didn't know what I wanted. Because I loved the first to albums so much, I was a little worried that the album might not live up to expectations. I'm happy to say that they have definitely created an album that finds that balance of feeling new and fresh while still sounding like Portishead. It's definitely a dark album, though that's to be expected. But it's also more advernturous with structure and the sounds they use. I can't wait for the official release in a few weeks.

After listening to this over the last week, there are no weak tracks to my ears, and stand-outs are as marked with by an *...

01 Silence *

02 Hunter

03 Nylon Smile

04 The Rip *****

05 Plastic

06 We Carry On *

07 Deep Water

08 Machine Gun *

09 Small *

10 Magic Doors

11 Threads *****

Again, it's a hell of an album, though definitely not for everyone. It's not necessarily a love at first listen kind of album (though I did), and the flashes of abrasive sounds can be challenging. But I'm thrilled they didn't play it safe and release some kind of cheap copy of their past successes.

[Salt Peanuts]

I'm so looking forward to the release of this album.

I really should go find myself the leaked version...

[Knuckledragger]

YGPM, SP.

[en480c4]

holy fuck, downloading now. i'll definitely be buying, too, so nobody give da Reks no shit.

Exactly. I'll be there on the Tuesday it comes out!

[en480c4]

I think one of my favorite moments on the album is "Machine Gun" following "Deep Water". It's about as drastic a change as you could come across.

Well, that and the shift half-way through "The Rip" isn't too bad either.

[n_maher]

I'd have to admit that I enjoyed this album far more on my second listen. Heck, now seems like a good time to give it a third.

[Contrastique]

Looking forward to their new album! It's been so long. Hope my local cd shop will have it soon...

[Voltron]

I'd have to admit that I enjoyed this album far more on my second listen. Heck, now seems like a good time to give it a third.

I also like it quite a bit and I'm glad it doesn't sound just like Dummy. That would be dumb.

[Salt Peanuts]

So now that it has been out a while, has anyone out there compared the LP release and CD release?