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. michaele.
    May 3, 2008
    10
    Not one of these lame combacks, but a brilliant return to form and class with disturbingly fresh sounds. Beth Gibbons' voice has found new territories to move along!
  2. AlanO.
    May 8, 2008
    10
    This is a stunning album! To be frank, I am not a Portishead fan...I recognize their history and had ocasionally bumped into their brand of Trip-Hop back in the day which mostly left me dry. This new album is something different. Fans of Jane Siberry, Stina Nordenstam, David Sylvian, Talk Talk, and Mimi Goese take note. The songs are experimental in nature but infused with warm This is a stunning album! To be frank, I am not a Portishead fan...I recognize their history and had ocasionally bumped into their brand of Trip-Hop back in the day which mostly left me dry. This new album is something different. Fans of Jane Siberry, Stina Nordenstam, David Sylvian, Talk Talk, and Mimi Goese take note. The songs are experimental in nature but infused with warm electronics, etheral background shuffles, and stark, introspective lyrics. I have no idea what their traditional fans will make of this...might be a bit challenging. This is a record you have to get to know, spend time with, and ponder. Some definate reference points: Stina Nordenstam -"This is Stina Nordenstam," "When I was a Boy," - Jane Siberry," and "Soak" - by Mimi Goese. Candidate for album of the year hands down...… Expand
  3. giannym.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Brilliant and great!
  4. JoolsH.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    The Masterpiece of the century.
  5. PeterX.
    May 22, 2008
    10
    Classical rock enviroment, dense & brutal. Kraftwerk/Pan Sonic meets the Pink Floyd. Albert Ayler laughs at the corner.
  6. SimonV.
    May 2, 2008
    10
    Superb Album. Elements of radiohead/björk in places. Nice to see them still being 'Portishead' but moving things on and not riding the orchestra/strings coat tails of the past. A perfect soundtrack to a movie. Still got the haunting thing down to a tee...
  7. JesseShort
    May 4, 2008
    10
    Just keep listening to it. It's not always easy, but what is worthwhile never is.
  8. MarkR.
    May 8, 2008
    10
    exceptional, truly exceptional, i would implore anyone who cannot immediately get to grips with it to persevere. it is dark and unsettling in a way that will annoy the coffee table fans of their previous work, which is also a bonus : ). a pretty good litmus test for those that have real taste in music and those that just think they do ; )
  9. 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
  10. SamB
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    much 'cooler' than their others. melodrama is a little more weighted in inventive melodies and recordings
  11. Will
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Portishead's 'second debut' certainly isn't for the faint hearted. At first it proves to be a difficult listen but over time that initial fear it hits you with turns into excitement. They've ditched the 'trip hop' for more upbeat songs, but with Beth's voice and Utley's magnificent guitar work this is still unmistakenly the Portished we all Portishead's 'second debut' certainly isn't for the faint hearted. At first it proves to be a difficult listen but over time that initial fear it hits you with turns into excitement. They've ditched the 'trip hop' for more upbeat songs, but with Beth's voice and Utley's magnificent guitar work this is still unmistakenly the Portished we all know and love! Album of the year so far.… Expand
  12. AlexZ
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    This is their best effort yet. They're not coming up with a new sound but they have taken their trip hop sound to a level of perfection.
  13. Sean
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Even though I agree with their score, I absolutely do not agree with what The Onion actually says in their review. This album is NOTHING like coffee-shop music. What kind of coffee shops does that critic frequent? This is highly experimental, challenging electronica right here.
  14. AJP
    May 1, 2008
    10
    Stunning beyond what words can only describe. A triumphant comeback exceeding previous albums by 1000-fold.
  15. ChrisS.
    May 22, 2008
    10
    It's their best album so far. It's no easy-listening, and it takes some time, but it's definetely worth the effort. I LOVE IT!
  16. Jason
    May 4, 2008
    10
    ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!!
  17. DommiR.
    May 6, 2008
    10
    Orgasmic.
  18. AlbertoU.
    May 7, 2008
    10
    Why bothering about people who find this album difficult? This is the best album of the year, none other.
  19. 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...
  20. AniruddhaB
    Apr 13, 2009
    10
    The best thing by portishead... and one of my favourite albums of all time.
  21. Ray
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Wow. Anyone labelling this album as "difficult" or "unmelodic" is hardly worth paying attention to. Such a fine atmospheric delight.
  22. DiegoL.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    What's wrong with Blender?? Third is one of the best albums of 2008. It's obscurely extraordinary.
  23. mattv
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Simply amazing, stunning work. I've had it since this afternoon and listened to it 4 times. I haven't had this kind of first day experience with an album in a very long time. It's breathtakingly good. And the people at Blender need a brain exam.
  24. Patches.
    May 10, 2008
    10
    Brilliant!
  25. JoshuaG.
    May 1, 2008
    10
    A wartime masterpiece. This is the sound of now.
  26. Zach
    May 16, 2008
    10
    It's acoustic despair, but brilliant.
  27. Dave
    May 3, 2008
    10
    Well, I figured the reviews for this would be all over the place and sure enough they are. As much as I LOVE Dummy, I think I like this as much as that masterpiece. It took a few listens, but I am totally loving Third now. Machine Gun, We Carry On, The Rip and Silence are as good as anything Portishead has done. Yes, it is very different from "Dummy" and "Portishead", but it is no less Well, I figured the reviews for this would be all over the place and sure enough they are. As much as I LOVE Dummy, I think I like this as much as that masterpiece. It took a few listens, but I am totally loving Third now. Machine Gun, We Carry On, The Rip and Silence are as good as anything Portishead has done. Yes, it is very different from "Dummy" and "Portishead", but it is no less great. I really thing this may be not only one of the best of this year, but this decade. I was lucky enough to catch their only North American live performance at Coachella, and it was nothing short of brilliant!… Expand
  28. JackT.
    May 7, 2008
    10
    It's Gorgeous! It takes a few spins to correctly wrap your brain around it's thorny sides. Gone, would be the shiney production. and comfortableness. Anyone familiar with the last album knows that hints of this direction were ever present in songs like "half-day Closing". If Portishead were to come out of a ten year coma sounding exactly like Portishead in 94 and 97, we'd It's Gorgeous! It takes a few spins to correctly wrap your brain around it's thorny sides. Gone, would be the shiney production. and comfortableness. Anyone familiar with the last album knows that hints of this direction were ever present in songs like "half-day Closing". If Portishead were to come out of a ten year coma sounding exactly like Portishead in 94 and 97, we'd quickly write them off as just wanting cash in on what made them famous: Authoring a sound and being THE face of "trip hop". But, come on... This 2008. We live in fear induced enviroment, post 911 and currently in a war... this is reflected in the anxiety ridden landscape of Third. Beth Gibbons voice is the only tangible sign of comfort leading us through the darkest hallways of reality. Highlights Like "The Rip","Hunter" and "deep water" underscore what still remains present... Portisheads cinematic niche. 10!… Expand
  29. 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
  30. dodomo
    Apr 28, 2008
    10
    Re-invented and perfect!
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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]
    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
See all critic reviews »