portishead :: portishead :: poll

Does anyone else hear in “Elysium” that the background loop, which seems like typical LP crackle, is actually a distorted male voice muttering, “I’m dirty, I’m dirty, I am dirty, I’m dirty”, etc.?

I think Portishead are like numerous 00s indie bands in that the debut will always be the canon, totem choice and also the one I find will probably always find least interesting. Portishead is so clearly a total improvement in every way imo, and Third is my favourite but ofc clearly something else altogether.

Anyway, despite the heavy debt to “The American Metaphysical Circus”, I’d have picked “Half Day Closing” for two reasons: the awesomely crummy-sounding guitar that comes in on the second chorus, and a vocal that rivals Annisette or Dagmar Krause in its combination of bereft misery and destructive rage.

I’m terms of comparing the albums, I think they’re fairly equal: three or four great songs, four or five good songs, two or three failed experiments or dreary exercises apiece.

always enjoy Adrian Utley talking about making music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlv9i0XC8NA