PORTISHEAD - Finally a third full-length album on the way!

[Mockery]

Portishead Begin Work on First LP in Eight Years

James Gregory reports:
Along with Massive Attack, Portishead helped shape the hypnotic spaciness of trip-hop in the mid-90s with one of the genre's defining albums, 1994's Dummy. As the Bristol, England-based movement slowly lost its grip on the general public's consciousness, the band also retreated, and despite an underrated 1997 self-titled LP, Portishead has spent most of the ensuing years gathering a healthy coat of dust.

Well, until now. NME reports that founding members Geoff Barrow and Beth Gibbons have come out of their eight-year seclusion and are currently at work on an album of new material in their native UK. The band have been in the studio since late last year prepping what will be their third full-length, and while no word has been given as to a firm release date, number of tracks, or even what the album will sound like, Barrow recently spoke to the BBC about the nature of their extended shore leave. "We've just had our heads down really, we've never actually broken up, or parted, or whatever," he said. "So for us it just seems, even though we haven't played for years, we still see each other and write-- we just haven't released a record for a long time."

And while that doesn't really tell us anything, the as-yet unnamed album is expected in stores before the end of the year, and will mark the duo's first studio collaboration since 1997's sophomore effort, Portishead.

In related news, Portishead have joined in the efforts to raise money for tsunami victims in Indonesia. The band has been confirmed to perform at a special relief concert to be held at the Bristol Carling Academy in Bristol, England on February 19. Also on the bill are Massive Attack, the Coral, and Robert Plant. Tickets are £30 (roughly $55) and all proceeds will aid water and sanitation efforts in the effected areas. For more information, or to make a donation, visit the official website at: http://www.crisisinasia.com

* Pitchfork Review: DJ Andy Smith: The Document II
* Pitchfork Review: Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man: Out of Season
* Portishead: http://www.portishead.co.uk