Album Review

Portishead – Machine Gun

• 13th Apr 2008

Hotly anticipated single ‘Machine Gun’ is Portishead’s first release for almost ten years. The single is extremely minimalist, with a repeating drum pattern which (somewhat ingeniously) sounds a bit like a machine gun. Also featuring is an eerie organ accompanying Beth Gibbons very haunting voice.

I have to admit, this style of music is not my cup of tea. But I have been known to like similar music. But not today. Portishead’s newest offering is dull and lifeless. Only Gibbons’ voice can really save it, but unfortunately she stops singing roughly two and a half minutes in, at which point we are ‘treated’ to the drum pattern and a repeating synth pattern for an additional two minutes.

For me, this single just doesn’t hit the mark. It lacks the texture and harmonic interest of other bands offering similar electronic delectables. Where the haunting voice and lack of any interesting development will please some, unfortunately I for one am not convinced.