4/20/2008

Music Monday: Portishead

I can't remember when I first heard Portishead, but it was soon after their album "Dummy" was released in 1994. I set about frantically including them on mixed tapes for friends, tapes which were often shoved in backpacks and probably never played. I had a habit of obsessively making mixed tapes for my friends, the primary motive being the ability to *finally* have someone to talk about "my" music with. Welcome to this, my 21st century version of the mixed tapes of my high school years folks. Music Monday gives me the opportunity to throw music at you in the hopes that you'll give it a listen. I'm pleased to say, some of you even TALK to me about said music. I know, I'm as surprised as you are. It's like I'm a too-hip-for-my-own-good fifteen year old again.

Portishead have a new album coming out next week, so much like the James pimping of a few weeks ago, this time it's Portishead's turn. I'm a great lover of trip-hop, so if you are feeling adventurous and want to branch out after digging Portishead (which you surely will, or we are so over), check out Tricky, Morcheeba, Massive Attack and Moloko. Your ears will thank you.

May I just add that it was very hard for me to narrow down my favourite Portishead songs. Just thought I'd add that. FYI, for those of you who only listen to "serious" music (MOLLY. Also, what is it with me and finger quotes today?), a few of these videos are from a session and eventual studio album done with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Take that haters!

Sour Times:



Roads:



Glory Box:



Only You:



All Mine:



From the new album:

Magic Doors:



Machine Gun:



More where that came from:

Website

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11 comments:

j said...

I love portishead. Funny story - I <3 getting down to their music, except that I can't bang to music that i've heard more than once because I memorize lyrics and beats and then it distracts me from the task at hand. I have no idea why I just wrote all that, but I can guess you laughed a little bit.

Tash said...

Haha, I know I just did!

Hmm. I REALLY like *Sour Times* -- enough that I'm off to play it again when I'm done typing here, but the rest doesn't really speak to me. Sort of Kate Bush meets . . . someone really techno. . . .Pendulum? Not that there's anything wrong with that or either of those groups, but I just feel like I've been here already or something?

Great voice on her though.

Caro said...

I'm beginning to suspect that you and I would be very at home in each others music collections.

Magpie said...

Funny. Just yesterday, I ripped a review of Portishead out of the New Yorker, thinking "this sounds interesting".

I'll definitely give 'em a listen later.

Betty M said...

Ahh Portishead - I spent many hours listening to them on long car journeys. Feeling a bit nervous about the third album though - can it really live up to the old after all this time.

Anonymous said...

I was listening to the telly the other night, and 'machine gun' came on, and there was I thinking 'ohh, that'a a Portishead song if ever I heard one, but I'm sure I haven't heard that one before, which is weird, I thought I Got Portishead...' see? Not a clue they'd made another album. Not. A. Clue.

Anonymous said...

I first heard Portishead when I saw the French movie Chacun cherche son chat (When the Cat is Away) and fell in love with them and bought all their CDs. I don't think I have listened to them in years but now I must so thank you!

elizasmom said...

Ooooh. Here's a band I TOTALLY lost track of. Thanks for reminding me about them! (scurries off to upload songs to iPod)

Defiantmuse said...

duuude. Portishead. reminds me so much of high school. wow. I had no idea they had a new album out. thanks for the heads up :)

Antropóloga said...

Oh wow, that takes me back!

Lut C. said...

Oddly enough, we have Tricky, Morcheeba, Massive Attack and Moloko in our car CD collection. Portishead is stuck on the shelves in the house.