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. SinDanger
    May 22, 2023
    10
    Absolutely incredible, there's nothing else like it even 15 years later. Flows together like an album should and keeps being surprising.
  2. joaouniverse237
    Aug 22, 2022
    9
    The essence of Portishead still present on this album. Still relevant to this day and every time that you listen to it, you'll find new things. As we are used to from Portishead from the previous album. So good and different
  3. All_ButTrU4
    May 20, 2022
    8
    methods are hardly frozen in time. And that evolution is what makes these elaborately layered tracks such a knotty, mesmerizing listen.
  4. mystified
    Jul 13, 2021
    10
    We've been waiting, and it didn't disappoint. Amazing body of work, obscure, mysterious, confusing in the most beautiful possible way!
  5. Panchogul
    May 16, 2021
    10
    A mi parecer, Third es el álbum más experimental e introspectivo de Portishead a la vez de que es el mejor que han sacado a la fecha, ojalá vuelvan a estrenar música algún día.
  6. Ricko
    Dec 20, 2017
    9
    Great third record from the experimental English 3 piece. Not the most accessibly record you'll ever hear but definitely one of the more brilliant. "Third" has loads of really good ideas that come together to make some truly eye opening tracks. One of the singles from the album Machine Gun is my favourite track on it. This one sounds pretty much like it's title, and it's got a climaxGreat third record from the experimental English 3 piece. Not the most accessibly record you'll ever hear but definitely one of the more brilliant. "Third" has loads of really good ideas that come together to make some truly eye opening tracks. One of the singles from the album Machine Gun is my favourite track on it. This one sounds pretty much like it's title, and it's got a climax reminsicent of the theme from Terminator to it. Give it a listen and you'll know what I mean straight away. Essentially, this is Portisheads' Kid A record, going off in different directions and performing u-turns everywhere. Both challenging and melodic, it never fails to be engaging. Coming up to a decade old now, nearly time for another Portishead record :-)… Expand
  7. gloriouspotato
    Oct 25, 2017
    9
    Great album. Dark, emotional and full of despair, this is Portishead's most experimental and arguably their strongest work to date. Particular favorites include 'Machine Gun', 'Small' and 'Plastic'.
  8. Savyel
    Oct 7, 2015
    8
    Overwhelming, completely. Melancholic and out of control. Like broken long ago and pasted randomly with expired glue. No doubt It's a new yet old Portishead right there.
  9. longjetty7
    Apr 24, 2015
    7
    A fairly good but challenging album. This is definitely Portishead's most musically complex album, and the overall feeling is somewhat mysterious and ominous. I like it and think it's quite strong throughout, but I hesitate to rate it higher because there aren't really any standout tracks, other than perhaps We Carry On. For the most part, Third is about texture and atmosphere, so it'sA fairly good but challenging album. This is definitely Portishead's most musically complex album, and the overall feeling is somewhat mysterious and ominous. I like it and think it's quite strong throughout, but I hesitate to rate it higher because there aren't really any standout tracks, other than perhaps We Carry On. For the most part, Third is about texture and atmosphere, so it's great background music for studying, but not necessarily for normal listening.… Expand
  10. mdaughe5
    Oct 2, 2011
    8
    This is not my favorite album (though it probably is my favorite portishead record), but for some reason I always want to hear it again, and I keep coming back to it. It is so jarring and abrasive at times, but it is also so original and forward thinking, that my initial reaction is always forgotten and I end up giving it another spin.
  11. wiggipop
    Mar 27, 2011
    9
    When I first listened to this album, I really did not like it at all. It was loud and abrasive, and left me feeling quite unsettled. It's strange, but that's exactly what I love about this album now. That very first track pulls you in slowly, builds and builds and then socks you square in the guts. And that sets the tone for the album perfectly. It's full of big, bold sounds, hauntingWhen I first listened to this album, I really did not like it at all. It was loud and abrasive, and left me feeling quite unsettled. It's strange, but that's exactly what I love about this album now. That very first track pulls you in slowly, builds and builds and then socks you square in the guts. And that sets the tone for the album perfectly. It's full of big, bold sounds, haunting vocals, and fair few killer punches. 'The Rip' is gentle and full of emotion, 'Nylon Smile' brims with otherworldly mystery and 'Machine Gun' is exactly as it appears: loud, brutal and all-encompassing. This definitely is an album to listen to over and over to appreciate it's complexities, and one that should only be listened to in its entirety. Brilliant right to the end.â… Expand
  12. scottysauce
    Mar 11, 2011
    10
    I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THIS ALBUM FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN. SURE IT HAS MANY NEW SOUNDS BUT IT PUSHES PORTISHEAD INTO A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF GREAT MUSIC. PORTISHEAD A SEXY ROCK BAND? YOU BE THE JUDGE! AFTER MANY YEARS OF WAITING FOR ANYTHING NEW THEY TRULY DELIVER THE GOODS. BE SURE TO GIVE IT MORE THAN JUST ONE LISTEN BECAUSE LIKE ANYTHING GREAT IT GROWSI HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THIS ALBUM FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN. SURE IT HAS MANY NEW SOUNDS BUT IT PUSHES PORTISHEAD INTO A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF GREAT MUSIC. PORTISHEAD A SEXY ROCK BAND? YOU BE THE JUDGE! AFTER MANY YEARS OF WAITING FOR ANYTHING NEW THEY TRULY DELIVER THE GOODS. BE SURE TO GIVE IT MORE THAN JUST ONE LISTEN BECAUSE LIKE ANYTHING GREAT IT GROWS ON YOU AND NEVER LET'S GO.… Expand
  13. Guigss
    Aug 30, 2010
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If darkness can find an image perfectly involved into kindness, it´s in Third, a majestic point of view of how music can speak for itself. And we can´t say it doesn´t exist when Portishead must firmly make us hear it does.… Expand
  14. RicardoC
    Jul 25, 2009
    9
    I can't really understand how Blender found this album difficult, the album is amazing. If you listen to it carefully and loud, its even better. One of my favourite.
  15. TimC
    May 29, 2009
    9
    Simply superb.
  16. JoseY.
    May 28, 2009
    10
    What a masterpiece! So innovative, noisy, powerful, delicate, beautiful... Try to make a beautiful melody just kicking empty plastic bottles and throwing cans to the air. If you think that's impossible, well, that's easier than what Barrow did on this album. And what can we say about Gibbons' voice? Her singing is enormously sweet and complex over painfully dark lyrics. And What a masterpiece! So innovative, noisy, powerful, delicate, beautiful... Try to make a beautiful melody just kicking empty plastic bottles and throwing cans to the air. If you think that's impossible, well, that's easier than what Barrow did on this album. And what can we say about Gibbons' voice? Her singing is enormously sweet and complex over painfully dark lyrics. And who said it's an album to admire, not to listen to? I am listening this album at least once a week since it was released and never get tired of it. One of my top five albums (along to Franz Ferdinand, The downward spiral, OK computer and Trans-Europe Express). Now, if you excuse me, I have to leave you. I have to listen to Machine Gun. Again.… Expand
  17. Joe
    May 24, 2009
    9
    A nice album. I have never heard any of their earlier work but this is a very nice album.
  18. AniruddhaB
    Apr 13, 2009
    10
    The best thing by portishead... and one of my favourite albums of all time.
  19. ChrisC.
    Jan 18, 2009
    9
    Portishead proves once again that they are true artists. They are still a haunting band of depth that goes against the grain without sounding pretentious.
  20. MattW.
    Dec 22, 2008
    9
    Hands down, the best thing Portishead have ever done.
  21. PaulR
    Nov 27, 2008
    10
    Going from the reviews on here, it's obviously an album you either get or you don't. But if you do get it, the rewards are there to be reaped. This is easily their best album and all the more astonishing is the fact it's been released after a hiatus of 11 years. This and Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp are my two favourite albums of 2008.
  22. Clif
    Nov 3, 2008
    9
    People who rate it under 8 are totally insane! This album is pure genius, and not noise, as we can sometimes read (Brian, for example). It's simply different sounds, repetitive sometimes, but this to penetrate in your soul. Machine Gun, The Rip, Hunter & Silence are simply pure genius! And don't forget that real artists evolue, and Portishead just couldn't do another People who rate it under 8 are totally insane! This album is pure genius, and not noise, as we can sometimes read (Brian, for example). It's simply different sounds, repetitive sometimes, but this to penetrate in your soul. Machine Gun, The Rip, Hunter & Silence are simply pure genius! And don't forget that real artists evolue, and Portishead just couldn't do another strictly Trip-Hop album, it would be great, yeah, but so repetitive (because their previous and first 2 albums were pure Trip-Hop). We can't deny that Portishead is one of the best bands with Radiohead. Like Grace Jones says, people who only care and rate Pussycat Doll's (or things like that pile of shit) better than Portishead are Corporate Cannibals!… Expand
  23. DanielS
    Oct 19, 2008
    10
    The first time I listened to Third I was superstoned and cleaning my house. As I was upstairs and the music was downstairs, it mostly sounded just like noise. When I went downstairs for a better quality sound, the Album was already on track 7, Deep Water. This song got me intrigued in the album. Machine gun came on, a whack beat, but I tried to be openminded and did end up loving it by The first time I listened to Third I was superstoned and cleaning my house. As I was upstairs and the music was downstairs, it mostly sounded just like noise. When I went downstairs for a better quality sound, the Album was already on track 7, Deep Water. This song got me intrigued in the album. Machine gun came on, a whack beat, but I tried to be openminded and did end up loving it by the end of the song. Small came next and I knew I had a gem. So dark it fries your mind and sends a shiver down your neck. I listened to the rest of the album and I haven't stopped listening to this album on a daily basis for the last two months. I must admit, this shit makes me quiver with delight. At first I used be comatozed whenever I got to listen to it on my headphones, but today I'm singing and dancing to it. Honestly, this album makes you dance like you've never danced before. Best album since Amon Tobin's Foley Room and Cannibal Ox The Cold Vein.… Expand
  24. ArtoS.
    Jul 29, 2008
    10
    The most haunting albums of Portishead...brilliantly complicated and emotional...the combination alt-rock+electronic music has never sounded so fresh like "Third" does...
  25. leiris
    Jul 28, 2008
    9
    Excellent - as good as anything they've released.
  26. JamesB.
    Jul 22, 2008
    9
    Outstanding comeback album by Portishead! It's beautifully and darkly sublime. I'm not the least put off by the changes in their "trip hop" sound. And Beth's vocals are, of course, amazing and indelibly haunting. "Third" is easily one of the best albums in 2008!
  27. Roberto
    Jun 13, 2008
    10
    A very challenging album, but it is Portishead at its best: dark, sometimes claustrophobic and oppressive; but at the same time the sound has an organic quality that makes it unique. A modern masterpiece.
  28. DanC.
    Jun 5, 2008
    9
    Really great, has improved with repeat listenings immensely..thoroughly recommended.
  29. aw
    May 30, 2008
    9
    Amazing. After repeated listens, it grows on you like a weed.
  30. PeterX.
    May 22, 2008
    10
    Classical rock enviroment, dense & brutal. Kraftwerk/Pan Sonic meets the Pink Floyd. Albert Ayler laughs at the corner.
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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]
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  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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