Re-working a selection of tracks from both Dummy and the eponymous follow up, PNYC demonstrates how the recorded can translate equally well into the live, given a little inspiration and creativity. Drawing on full string and horn sections and turntablist intervention from Andy Smith, they explore live soundtrack angles, lacing the original versions with measures of Lalo Schifrin, Barry Mancini et al. Although some may be sceptical at the lack of new material, they shouldn't be put off. As the neo-classical sounds of "Glory Box", post rock of "Sour Times", brazen brass jazz of "All Mine" and theremin-led hip hop of "Mysterons" all comfortably cohabit the same place, managing to re-work and re-charm their way into your sub conscious. PNYC is a class delivery from Portishead, from the arrangement and production to the performance and orchestration. --Found Sounds
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Brilliant Other reviewers have said it all - I just want to clarify a couple of things
1) A couple of tracks here are not the same performances as on the companion video. One of them, Roads, was recorded at a festival (and certainly sounds like it!). The other - well, read on...
2) None of the tracks on this album deserve to be damned with the faint praise of "faithful reproduction of the originals". For one thing, they're all loud and vivid-sounding, with a fine balance of ambience and clarity (and this... more info
over-flated I disagree with most comments posted here. The performance was probably mesmerising but here the songs sound too orchestrated/big for me and detract from the atmosphere of the original versions: All Mine sounds like Royal Variety and Only You's original minimal sound seems to have the orchestra appear in the chorus just to give them something to do. It all sounds like a mainsteam cross-over to me: stick with the originals.
Simply amazing Its been a long time since the last time I heard something new and loved it. In this case however it wasnt really new, the concert was 9 nine years ago. But it is something new for me, and I'm sure was/will be for many others as well. I'm coming from a rock/metal background, but also listen to blues and jazz and bands like Pink Floyd and, more the more recent Radiohead and Muse. THANKFULY I did not see the label 'trip-hop' next to Portishead's name when I first listened to this album. Had I seen such a... more info
Staggeringly good Just finished my first listen of this album, and still haven't got my breath back. Sublime, stunning, absolute perfection... words can't do justice to this amazing piece of work. So good, you won't want to play anything else afterwards - nothing could follow this.
