Portishead

doodinthemood · Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Birmingham

I feel somewhat isolated, so I'll come out of the closet here. Despite everyone else saying Machine Gun is growing on them, it just isn't for me. It's the only track on the album that still gives me the urge to skip. Am I really the only one who feels this way?
_________________
We won't stay caged as we do not bite...

domini · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Olympia

Not the only one . . . The more I listen to it the more listen-able I find it, but when it gets to the really heavy, really repetitive rhythmic last third I find myself reaching for that track-advance button.

Of course I have no problem with heavy Portishead, but much like abstract poetry I find myself not even wanting to try to get into it. But hey, there are ten other tracks that I can totally dig. Though . . . since we're being confessional, I have to admit I'm not 100% sold on "Hunter." It sounds a lot like "Drake" from BG's solo album, and that was a sticky wicket for me, too.

omellil · Joined: 25 Jan 2008 Posts: 16 Location: vancouver

i felt the same way initially, but after a dozen listens my view has totally changed; the drums, which made it seem abrasive to me at first, are now the thing that i can't get out of my head. that, and the fact that there is no verse/chorus/verse-type structure, but that the arrangement relies entirely on sonic development.

TomF · Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 155 Location: Portishead

It's not one of my favourates either, certainly not one I'd expect for single release but there y'go.

Going on the basis that in previous albums they've released 3 singles I would guess that 'The Rip' and maybe 'Silence' are the others I'd personally like to see released Laughing

Lotus11 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 12

I love Machine Gun. I think it's their most avant-garde stuff yet. Very trance, industrial. It's hypnotic, I get lost in it. Love it.

jason. · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Exeter

Haven't heard the album version yet but thought this one was amazing live, totally unexpected, fairly blew me away. Hypnotic would be the word, guess we all have eclectic tastes.

Richard · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Netherlands

This track grabs me at my throat... it's an aggressive track and I really like it.

Spaced Invader · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Vienna

Not sure if it's really a grower. Rather a "either you like it or not" song.

Surely not my favorite song on the album, but I still kinda like it. Especially the perfect arrangement on the album, as a follow-up to Deep Water.

And it somehow reminds me of the Turrican II (Amiga game in the early 90s) soundtrack.

duduluuk · Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 6

Machine Gun is much better than some tracks following.
Its somewhat closed to Bjork "Homogenic".

Lotus11 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 12

wow. I luv machine gun, but I think it really picks up from there, I think small, magic doors, threads all rock. I think the whole thing is solid as hell though. I pretty much love the whole thing. I was really hoping they would go in this direction. I know there will be a lot of controversy about Third, but personally, I think its their best. Dummy was great, but I like dark, so when the self titled came out I was thrilled. Loved it much more than Dummy. Third is just another jump to the next level for me. There are a few things that i would have liked to hear a bit dif in Third, but its a great, great album all around. I feel like they delivered on the long wait. Listened to it countless times and Im still loving it. Very Happy