20th anniversary pressing of Portishead's classic 1994 debut, now on 180 gram vinyl. I don't care what kind of music you listen to, production-wise, this is one of the most impressive works of our time. The direction of the arrangements, beats, lyrics and voice, is on the lunar eclipse tip, locking everything in place for that special split moment. Beth's lyrics are soul on ice one moment, bugging you the f out, wishing you were dead the next. The sound so rich, the beats reborn, the scratches so on point. The overall effect is much larger than the production. Freshman year at NYU, my whole dorm was hooked on the sound. Many sleepless comedown nights, bugging out, seeing the light in "It's A Fire," or the dead end in "Roads." Everyone huddled in a room, jaws buggin. My palms get sweaty just listening to this. This is some powerful shit (or that was some powerful shit). Comes in gatefold sleeve with free download card included. Recommended.

• classic 1994 debut album
  
• 180g black vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• music label: Go! Beat 2014
  

reviewed by the mgmnt 11/2011