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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
As collaborations go, the partnership of Portishead's ghostly singer Beth Gibbons and Paul "Rustin' Man" Webb (former bassist of 80s pop band Talk Talk) seems an extremely unlikely one. However, as Out of Season shows, the pair--who met in 1990 when Gibbons auditioned for Webb's post Talk Talk band O'Rang--have a surprising amount in common, including a love of supremely melancholic melodies and eerily atmospheric backdrops. Ambling quietly from the mournful folk of "Mysteries", through the twilight piano lament of "Show" and the uneasy cinematic sway of "Spyder", Out of Season creates a dreamily sinister otherworld that's both vintage and timeless. Yet, despite relying solely on beautifully bittersweet melodies and acoustic instrumentation to conjure its twisted romance--instead of the usual murky trip-hop beats and studio manipulation associated with Gibbons' dysfunctional songs--the fundamental chill of Portishead is ever present. And that's because, for all the wonderful, sleepy lullabies, it's the haunting isolation that fills Gibbons' every note that captivates. Even on the gorgeously hazy lounge tunes "Romance" and "Sand River"--both brimming with Burt Bacharach style optimism--she manages to sound like Dusty Springfield with a dark and tragic secret. She has an amazingly affecting voice, which makes Out of Season a truly magical album. --Dan Gennoe
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By R. Burin
Format:Audio CD
"God knows how I adore life..."
It's difficult to remember a record so perfect in every way. It begins with a 50-second soundscape melting away beneath THAT VOICE. 'Mysteries' sends shivers down the spine, like 'Mojo Pin' (from Jeff Buckley's 'Grace'), it's an opener that fills you with excitement till you're fit-to-burst, flawless, beautiful, majestic, sweeping... and before you can catch your breath it's over. 'Tom The Model' slips into 'Portishead' territory before exploding into a preposterously catchy chorus, and so it continues... There isn't a weak moment or false note on this extraordinary record: Gibbons' shoves and pulls her voice around lilting melodies and trip-hop rhythms, seamlessly shifting from Billie Holiday-stylings to Sandy Denny in successive songs.
'Mojo Magazine' described it as "one of the best albums ever made"- that it lives up to and surpasses such expectations, whilst making today's six-hour train delay not just bearable but a joy, says more about this wonderful album than you could possibly imagine. Please buy this.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After waiting for a new Portishead album for a few years now I was surprised to hear that Beth Gibbons, the lead singer of Portishead, would be releasing a solo album. Her singing style and the accompanying music on Out Of Season are different from her work with Portishead. However, without a doubt the best moments on this album are equal to the best moments of the Portishead albums. I gave it 4 1/2 stars because there are three songs which I think that altough they are good are not worth 5 stars (however, I must state that another fan who also loves the album thinks that two of these songs are the best) but there are a few that are what I would actually call perfect and therefore worth more stars(Spider Monkey, Drake and Funny Time of Year) and others which are near perfect and worth an easy five stars(The Show and Sand river). This album speaks to the process of ageing and the helplessness associated with the finiteness of existence and all of the songs together as a whole speak to these themes. At times I find myself completely absorbed by the sadness and pure beauty of this album. I believe that most Portishead fans will really enjoy it even though it is a bit different than what they are used to from Beth. She brings forward new styles and further demonstrates how wonderful and talented she is on this solo debut. Although I am still anxiously awaiting the new Portishead album, I sincerely hope that this will not be the last solo project from my favorite singer Beth Gibbons.
36 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By Anna
Format:Audio CD
After five years of silence, erstwhile Portishead singer, Beth Gibbons, brings us a collaboration with ex-Talk Talk bassist, Paul Webb, aka Rustin Man, that ranks as an instant classic. The elements of filmic majesty that set Portishead apart from the rest of the trip hop mob are still apparent in places, but this is a far more sparse album, filled with quiet acoustic beauty.
Gibbons sounds more comfortable here, away from the role of tortured vamp she often played, to perfection, when singing with Portishead.
Out of Season has a rustic, sensual, autumnal, folk ambience, no better displayed than on the opening 'Mysteries', where Gibbons' fragile paean to love and life is gently supported by ethereal choir and guitar.
At times vocally reminiscent of Melanie and Sandy Denny, Gibbons creates a work of unique and timeless beauty. A precious, precious gem.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most uderated Albums ever.
Though I quite like Portishead, that wasn't the reason I bought this album. My reasons may seem odd at first. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Kelvina Footlambert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Voice
As usual Beth Gibbons is outstanding on this album. A good mix of tracks, some of which are deeply moving, but perhaps less challenging for some people than her work with... Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2010 by Paul Horton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Trust and believe.
Item was very far from description(Brand New!) - and after some writing back and forth - a solution was found - and partial refund was made - which was satisfactory.
Published on 15 Feb 2010 by Tolverman
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Service
Excellant album, sets the mood perfectly for these autumn nights.
Beths voice is haunting
Beths voice is haunting
Published on 2 Nov 2009 by Mr. J. G. Bostock
2.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing like her Portishead stuff
I like the heavy bass and chill out vibes of Portishead. Disappointed by this - mainly acoustic and not so much mellow as depressing. Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2009 by A professional 30 year old guy
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great album indeed. Almost brings you to tears.
I bought this cd after falling in love with Beth's voice. Comparisons with Portishead are unavoidable, but completely unsuccesfull. This cd constists of two kinds of songs. Read more
Published on 10 July 2008 by holdyourlight
5.0 out of 5 stars
Haunting and Criminally Underrated
Beth Gibbons has the kind of achingly beautiful voice which could make a statue cry real tears. Forget comparisons to Billie Holiday, because Beth's voice stands alone. Read more
Published on 7 May 2007 by J. Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Voice
If great music is often about great voices, then Beth Gibbons deserves far more recognition than she generally receives. Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2007 by War Baby
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Calvary cross
Let me put it straight, reading some of the other reviews just confirmed that "C...s are still running the world" as Jarvis Cocker says so aptly. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2007 by philippe brax
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not for the suicidal
People really do like to go on about her voice; she actually does sound a lot like Sandy Denny, and she does an irritating impression of Billie Holiday. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2004
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