Beth Gibbons

Lives Outgrown – Domino Recording Co.

WOW. WOW. WOW. Beth Gibbons, the enigmatic vocalist behind the trip-hop legends Portishead, has finally emerged with her debut solo album, “Lives Outgrown.” This long-awaited release, a decade in the making, does not disappoint. While she did release an album in 2002, a collaboration with Rustin Man (aka Paul Webb, formerly of Talk Talk,) that album went mostly in a folk direction. Third, the last Portishead release was in 2008 and work on this album started in 2012. This is technically her debut – a deeply personal record, looking at weighty themes of death, sacrifice, love, and acceptance. There is a return to the trip hop for sure, with folk and psych-rock elements and even brassy instrumentation as well. Clearly experimentation was part of the process.

The lead single, track 2, “Floating On A Moment,” has a Portishead sounding guitar intro, complete with layered whispers in the background creating the beat. It then shifts to a more 60s Brit-folk piece. “Reaching Out,” track 6, is. A sly, thriller of a song, with horns decorating the low, frenzied beat. The orchestration also hints back at Portishead, but moves forward into a mature and developed sound – it is cinematic and grand. Track 9, “Beyond The Sun,” is a dark rummage through baroque pop, reminding me of Kate Bush, at times. Track 5, “Rewind,” plays like a medieval chant perfectly formulated from one of Dead Can Dance’s lengthy catalog. It is lush, yet haunting… innovative and provocative.

All I can say is that hearing her voice again is blissful and enchanting. The sounds are emotional and slow burning. Just a brilliant record.

These are my favorites (so far after several back-to-back listens): 2**, 6**, 9**, 5**, 4**, 10*, and 1.

– (h)earwitness