Portishead – Portishead

This album is a tad underrated. Sure, it's songs are not so distinct, like that was the case with Dummy, and, firstly, i had a feeling, that all of it's tracks just blended together in some misty mess, but after further listenings i've started to appreciate this... A LOT. Can say for sure, that i prefer it over Dummy, which i adore too of course, but consider actually a little bit overrated.

The tone of the 2nd album can be described as Hitchcock opera of sorts. It's consistently gloomy, tragic, desperate and tense. I think Portishead really wanted to make a point with this one. Wanted to state that they ain't gonna be lovely major league band. It surprisingly presents the first political statements by the band in songs "Cowboys" and "Western Eyes" - both are very clever, written in a not propaganda sort of way. "Cowboys" is a powerful statement about tyranny of anti-social reforms caused by ruthless politicians - the song describes how harshly they effect on average person.

"Did you feed us tales of deceit
Conceal the tongues who need to speak
Subtle lies and a soiled coin
The truth is sold, the deal is done"

And "Western Eyes" strictly criticizes so-called westernatision process (twisted capitalistic values to be clear) - yet again, in a very poetic way, the last words spoken on this track (which the only ones to be resampled on this LP) leaves you with total devastation ("I feel so cold on hookers and gin...this mess we're in!"), but you want more! Because it's a good art! Also "Cowboys" serves as a brilliant album's opener and a closer - for "Western Eyes".

Themes and feels of Portishead - Portishead (no pun intended) seemed to me as even more intuitive, intimate and ambivalent. In comparison with Dummy, the romance songs are completely heart-wrecking or somewhat unfitting, even relatively positive things on this release feels fake, because of the overall dreamlike audio aesthetics. The latter is one reason, why you may be consumed by this thing. Geoff Barrow used quite a studio post-proccessing, thus this LP is such a joy to listen via headphones, because there are a lot of vinyl crackles, which are geniously implemented as a part of rhytm-section. At the same time good use of auto-tune, plus thereminvox (if i am not mistaken) makes this album so surrealistic, reminds me of space-pop, but with black coat of paint. And Beth Gibbons vocals, oh man. They entirely rip your soul in this one or at least will make sure if you have one. The worries of this album are so deep, that some tracks just express something purely unexplainable, like a tough mood after a bad day in "Over" (music clip is mesmerizingly performed).

Take you time and let this LP sink into your subconsciousness, otherwise Dummy or Third may be your cup of vodka.

D!XI

This album is a work of art. A dark one, to be sure! Definitely agree with P. Hangman's review below. Thanks, Portishead! This one is timeless.