Chasing The Tear

While sonically, at least, "Chasing The Tear" is more upbeat than the majority of Portishead's catalogue... it's still lacking a lil' something.

Beth Gibbons vocals don't seem to instantly engaging as they once were. While the production and instrumentation is infinitely better and more approachable than on last year's "Machine Gun," it's hard to instantly like the song. But, I'm sure after a few more spins it will stick in my head anyway.

You can get a download of the song here, the proceeds go to Amnesty International. So, do your good deed for the year... it's almost over.

Portishead "Magic Doors" Video

Looks like it's a very video friendly day around here. Over at Stereogum they premiered the new Portishead video "Magic Door." But, by the power vested in my by the interweb, I bring it to you.

It's a pretty interesting piece, but, kinda boring. A lot of writing on film, odd video of odd things and very little of Beth Gibbons. Not sure if you've been listening to Third, but, it's definitely Portishead's return to form.

Portishead on The Beeb

For those of us with out the ability to see the great Portishead live you can do the next best thing: listen live. The band will play three songs on The Radcliffe and Maconie Show on BBC Radio 2 today.

For those of you who want to listen you can do so here.

Portishead "The Rip" Video

This is visually arresting clip courtesy of Portishead. I like this song a lot better than the debut Third track "Machine Gun." The beginning reminds me of the work she did with Rustin Man on their Out of Season LP.  But, then it gets more Portishead-y.  Good Stuff.

Joe Budden Meets Portishead

One of the many things I love about the interweb is that musical artists can express themselves in an immediate way. Case-in-point the Joe Budden vs. Portishead mixtape.

The new Portishead disc has only been out a couple of weeks and already it's been sampled, and in a very impressive way.

You can get the whole mixtape here for free, just follow the links. Check out the "Roll Call" track below. It has some sweet usage of Portishead's "Machine Gun." (Rock & Roll Daily)

Joe Budden - Roll Call (mp3)

Lotsa Coachella

Well, there was a lot of stuff going on this weekend. Well, just Coachella really. And to a lesser extent the first ever Norman Music Festival. But, This is all about the Coachella.

Prince covers "Creep" by Radiohead.

An interview with Mikey Rocks of The Cool Kids.

An interview with Geoff Barrows of Portishead and review.

Review of the Prince's set.

Juvenile vs. Portishead

Oh, you read the heading right: Juvenile vs. Portishead. The good fellas over at The Hood Internet recently posted this nice little mash-up.

It's not bad, pretty interesting.

Juvenile vs. Portishead - My Machine Gun Life (mp3)

That's Bull-jive!

Apparently Portishead isn't into the "touring" thing at all. Adrian Utley has confirmed that when the band plays Coachella this weekend it will be their only Stateside appearance this year.

BULLJIVE! I've waited 10 fn years for a new album to come out and you aren't going to tour?! That's messed up dude. And besides, now my wife can keep telling me how awesome it was to see Portishead in Austin 10 years ago. And I will have to bow my head again and say "Yeah, it would be cool to see them."

Dude, if you don't do it for anyone else, do it for me. (Spinner)

Portishead "Silence" Remix

After a hard week(end) of working and tootling around online I came across something very interesting. What is it you might ask? Well, if you're reading this you already know what I found, idiot--an fn remix of "Silence" by Portishead.

I wasn't sure what to expect of this Excillon remix, but, I was extremely please with what I heard. Unlike most of Portishead's music, the remix is quite a banger. In the club, in the car or at home, it's off the heezy yo! Seriously, it is really good.

Portishead - Silence(Excillon Remix) (mp3)

Live Portishead...On Tape

I told you last week about Portishead doing a webcast featuring songs from their newest, yet unreleased album, Third. Now you can check it out. It's pretty good stuff, songs and images. If you've ever seen Portishead's short films it's kind of in that vein.

Portishead Performs Online

Tomorrow Portishead will perform 7 songs from their new album Third. You need to go to there webcast here and they will perform at 11pm GMT. So, I'm not sure what time that is CST. Maybe 6p? I'm not sure how that all works out. After the show on their website it will be rebroadcast on Current TV.

The new album comes out April 29th. You can check out an interview the hipsters at Pitchfork had with Portishead here.

Portishead - Silence

This year I've been able to hear some really cool music that has me really excited. However, nothing has gotten me as excited this year as the looming release of Third by Portishead. I'm a huge fan of the previous releases Dummy and Portishead.

But, with such a long layover between albums usually means your going to be disappointed in the "growth" the band has gone through. Well, with new songs I've heard, "Machine Gun" and "Silence," I'm not completely disappointed. The dark quality of the songs are still there, I think that's what I love most about the band. Check out the song below and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Portishead - Silence (mp3)

Portishead "Machine Gun" Video

What you see there is Beth Gibbons from the new Portishead video "Machine Gun." The kids at Portishead announced it just this afternoon and it's already on Youtube. 

Is it just me or do the electronic drums sound like and industrial version of the drum intro to "Bizarre Love Triangle?" Seriously.

*Update - here is the video for "Machine Gun."

Portishead - Third

I wouldlove to tell all you readers that I have an exclusive review of the new Portishead album, Third, but I don't. However, Stereogum has trumped us yet again and has a review of their upcoming effort in their "Premature Evaluations" post. (Stereogum)

Kinda Old News

So, yeeeaaah. This is kinda old news at this point, but, the new Portishead album should be out in March 08. It's been 11 year since the kids from Portishead released any kind of new material. Save for Beth Gibbons who released a solo joint with Rustin Man. You can go to Deaf Indie Elephants and download the complete second show from the All Tomorrows Party from this past December.

I've posted an mp3 of one of their newer songs. It's sounds like the Portishead I know and love. Their sound has deviated a little, but, not as much as Geoff Barrow led us to believe. Honestly, it sounds a little more like Massive Attack (But, not in a bad way).

Portishead - New Song 1 (mp3)