Beth Gibbons and Rustin Man

Out of Season

2003-10-28

Beth Gibbons is the tortured female vocalist from the band Portishead, and "Rustin Man", is actually Paul Webb from Talk Talk,  who took his alias from one of the first songs the duo completed (the last actual track on the disc).  They receive musical help from both bands (and, Portishead is NOT splitting).  Gibbon's moody, "desparately intimate" and evocative vocals are central here (much more so than in Portishead).  They are outskirted with unusual, haunting music that does not steal the spot light from Gibbons.   The feelings of melancholy and isolation are present, even when the song's themes are happier.  As said by The Guardian, its "gorgeously uneasy listening".   The first 2 tracks swept me off my feet!

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 03/2007

    Yoko Ono
    Yes, I'm A Witch

  • reviewed 10/2011

    JONATHAN COULTON
    Artificial Heart

  • reviewed 08/2010

    MIKE KEY
    IT'S ABOUT TIME

  • reviewed 10/2006

    JOAN OSBORNE
    Pretty Little Stranger

  • reviewed 06/2009

    SON VOLT
    American Central Dust

  • reviewed 05/2008

    Jeb Loy Nichols
    Days Are Mighty

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.