Portishead’s great expectations
February 18th, 2008 by Mosi Reeves in Music news
Like everyone else in the mid-’90s, I loved Portishead. I adored Dummy, its classic 1994 album. Although it took me a few tries, I learned to love its difficult and astringent 1997 self-titled follow-up. I bought both editions of Andy Smith’s The Document. (Andy Smith was the tour DJ for Portishead.) And when the reclusive Beth Gibbons put out her solo album with Rustin Man, Out of Season, I not only bought the 2002 vinyl import, but the 2003 U.S. edition on CD. (Actually, a publicist sent me the CD.)
So it’s safe to say I’m a Portishead fan. The impending arrival of its new album, Third, however, just worries me. What if it sucks? I mean, 10 years is a long time — what if Portishead has fallen off? Worse, what if it’s the equivalent of a reunion album — Portishead rehashing the highlights of its “Sour Times” glory years? I guess it could turn out to be great. But honestly, what’s the likelihood of that?
We’ll find out for sure when Portishead’s Third comes out April 29.
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February 19th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
If it isn’t good, we’ll just have to pretend like we never heard it. They’re one of my biggest influences musically, so I’d be happy to block out this album from my memory if it blows. Portishead got me started on the trip-hop kick, which got me into acid-jazz and eventually IDM/glitch etc. Without Portishead, I wouldn’t be in the same place musically…and I wouldn’t have gotten laid as much either.