Daveportivo's Cultural Evaluation Facility

Very rarely is it a real pleasure to give a single a good review but it leaves a big smile upon my face to say that Portishead's Chase The Tear is absolutely superb. Now why am I so happy, well similar to Radiohead's Harry Patch all the proceeds from this single will be going to an extremely good cause; this time all the profits made from Chase The Tear will go direct to Amnesty International. As a member and soon to be volunteer for Amnesty I can assure you they're a fantastic organization who protect our civil liberties and human rights across the world, but hell don't take my word for it they've got a nobel peace prize to their name. So if you like the sounds of this track, or just feel like doing a good thing for the day I urge you to download the beautiful Chase The Tear.

Okay enough talk of Amnesty I could shower them with good will all day. So how good is Case The Tear, well it's stands in stark contrast to Third's lead single Machine Gun, the fury and spite in Beth Gibbons voice is absent and in it's place is a more ethereal and beautiful almost laid back croon, her performance is ghostly and understated. It stands as a stark contrast to the pulsating eighties electro groove of the minimalist arrangement. Portishead haven't sounded this groovy in years and the metronomic rhythm refuses to relent as the drums are layered sparingly on top, the result is a trance like state that allows Beth's subversive and sweet croon to slip into your subconscious. The arrangement truly is wondrous in it's subtly, the rarest interspersion of jagged guitar, soaring synths and a fuzzing booming bass add gravitas to an otherwise light track. All in all Portishead have created their most approachable single ever, subversive and low key, yet suitably fun and danceable. Could this be a sign of things to come? Portishead often make beautiful music but could the next Portishead album, dare I say it, be a fun filled thrill ride? Probably not, but if you wanna have a good time and support a good cause then download this delightfully well judged single.