Portishead, Third

Portishead's long awaited new album finally arrived and I was nervous, many a band have failed to match or exceed their former greatness. Offering a little more than mediocrity and a few songs that sound like an unsigned band they in some way influenced. I had feared Portishead's Third would be another example but couldn't have been more wrong. Beth's voice is still as beautiful as ever and the more adventurous electronic sounds and drum beats combine wonderfully. Distinguishable from their previous work, Third isn't a re-hash of old ideas but the result of a painstaking and perfectionist attention to use of sounds, dymanics and composition. If at first you don't love this album, give it chance, it's definitely a grower. I had the privilege of seeing them live and it gave me a much deeper appreciation of how great the album is.