Portishead: Third

Much is made about the fact that Portishead hasn't released an album or done any touring to speak of in ten years, and the main concern about this that was held by many was that the band would make a release a crappy album. Apparently they forgot that IT'S FREAKING PORTISHEAD, the world's greatest trip-hop group!! Their new album proves that there are some band's that are just head and shoulders better than the rest, and Portishead is one of them. Third is a logical progression from 1998's self-titled album, refining their sound by stripping it down to the bare essentials: Geoff Barrow's beats, Adrian Utley's jazz guitar, and Beth Gibbons' stunning vocals. All you really need to know about this album is as follows: it's Portishead, listen to it.
Listen ("The Rip")