Third
by Portishead
  • Record Label: Mercury
  • Release Date: Apr 29, 2008
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 198 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 166 out of 198
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 198
  3. Negative: 14 out of 198

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  1. TomH.
    May 24, 2008
    6
    Too many shortcomings for the makings of a classic: radio edit tracks, not much of an album theme, 6 good tracks.
  2. juxtapose519
    Apr 28, 2011
    5
    I've listened to this album several times over the past three years and each time I walk away with mixed feelings. On one hand, Beth Gibbons' wonderfully haunting vocals remain and make my ears happy. On the other hand, this is not the same Portishead that made me fall in love with them all those years ago.

    They've completely abandoned the classic Trip Hop sound that they essentially    I've listened to this album several times over the past three years and each time I walk away with mixed feelings. On one hand, Beth Gibbons' wonderfully haunting vocals remain and make my ears happy. On the other hand, this is not the same Portishead that made me fall in love with them all those years ago.

    They've completely abandoned the classic Trip Hop sound that they essentially helped pioneer. Change is not always a bad thing, but I fear they they've ventured so far as to remove themselves from the realm of my tea cup.

    Third is by no means a "bad" album, but it's not a direct evolution of the sound that made Dummy and Self Titled so amazing either. It has moments of greatness, but to me falls flat more often than not. I probably won't ever stop listening to Third, but each time I do I'll wish wish it had been something more.    … Expand
  3. PaulM
    May 2, 2008
    4
    The only thing that sounds like Portishead on this album is Beth's great voice. They have crossed the fine line from moving the band in a new direction to completely abandoning the unique sound that Portishead is capable of. There's no rhythm, no electronic tweaking, and no way this album comes close to dummy or self titled.
  4. JacobL.
    May 7, 2008
    4
    Wow, what a dull album. Is this all it takes to impress people nowadays? Just some lame, thrown together beats and beth gibbons doing her "IM SAD" shitck, over and over again? Nothing happens on this album, just one unfinished attempt at songwriting after another. Bleh
  5. AlecW
    May 6, 2008
    5
    I realise it's uncool to diss Portishead but I remember the shockwave when "dummy" came out. break beats and rolling bass with other worldly vocals, it took control of your sound system at the expense of everything else for weeks, months even. I've listened to 3rd and I reckon that if the Stone Roses deserved to get a mauling for "the second coming" then Phead deserve to get the I realise it's uncool to diss Portishead but I remember the shockwave when "dummy" came out. break beats and rolling bass with other worldly vocals, it took control of your sound system at the expense of everything else for weeks, months even. I've listened to 3rd and I reckon that if the Stone Roses deserved to get a mauling for "the second coming" then Phead deserve to get the same treatment for this one. In 20 years time how many people will put this down as (one of) their fave album(s) of all time? hm!… Expand
  6. CatQ
    Jun 1, 2008
    4
    Im really dissapointed with this album, the songs often seem to get stuck in a rut and portishead have ditched the sexy film noir melancholy they were always so good at creating. Maybe thats due to age but if theyre looking for new paths i dont think theyve found the right one yet
  7. PatK.
    Jul 3, 2008
    4
    I just don't get the high ratings this has received. I find this CD unbearably boring.
  8. thomasb.
    May 1, 2008
    6
    Her voice makes me cringe, but without it I would say that the album would prove a very interesting instrumental. I like the music, just hate the singer.
  9. TheodoreRoosevelt
    May 1, 2008
    4
    It's meh. definitely overrated and definitely a disappointment..
  10. CraigK
    Jul 25, 2008
    4
    When so many bands and albums have covered this same sound and style so much better, Portishead's Third sounds like a mediocre imitation. I would rather listen to old albums than this one.
  11. SteveO
    May 31, 2008
    5
    Hmmm... its different, ill give it that, but it doesnt take me anywhere.
  12. ArujiJ.
    Jun 21, 2008
    4
    Pretentious self indulgent wank.
  13. [Anonymous]
    Apr 28, 2008
    6
    As much as I absolutely love Beth Gibbons and Portishead, this newest album is rather disappointing. There is no melody and both the vocals and production are WEAK. I'm gonna have to lay the smack down on this one, it pretty much sucks, and am surprised at the amount of praise it is getting.

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Album of 2008
20
#20 Most Discussed Album of 2008
23
#23 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 38
  3. Negative: 1 out of 38
  1. Blender
    30
    It's groove-deprived and difficult, and not in a particularly inventive way. [May 2008, p.78]
    Read full review
  2. Drowned In Sound
    80
    Both ancient and futuristic, a mildewed signal from a more advanced culture that failed to survive the ice age, Third doesn’t make you pay attention to its desolate contours, but rather stare out of the window, creeping panic causing your mind to dart in a million dark directions at once.
    Read full review
  3. Hot Press
    80
    Long awaited comeback from Bristol trip-hop outfit proves worth the wait.
    Read full review
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