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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
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0:00 - Playthrough
5:02 - Breakdown & analysis
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This song is called "Roads". "Dummy" album listening party from a couple years' back is available to everyone here! www.patreon.com/posts/portishead-party-62816321
Hello! Please do a breakdown of 'The Raven That Refused To Sing' by Steven Wilson(th-cam.com/video/n8sLcvWG1M4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=TVQ35n-dCjZFUL5L). I'd love to know what you think of that track.
Every time Portishead shows up in my recommendations I go back and watch that live in NYC performance.
O, man. I was 15 when I saw this concert on television for the first time. I was mesmerized, and honestly, I still am. I love Beths singing, the instrumentation, Barrow behind the decks, Utleys Moogs, the keyboards. What a masterpiece.
Iconic recording
Oh to be at the roseland
Portishead live recordings make me want to put a knife in my ears?
Roseland was my favorite venue ever.
It's apparently intentional that the song is titled "Roads" and the "Rhodes" piano is the primary instrument, which I never noticed before in 25+ years of listening to this song...
🤯asplode.
This whole album was the soundtrack to my teens. So many late nights with friends, a campfire and a bottle (or two) of something. The 90s were the best.
The Rhodes/Roads pun pleases me.
I was privileged to see Beth Gibbons last week perform this live. I will never forget that moment as it was one of the most special performances I've ever seen.
Yeah, they're so good live. I saw them on the Dummy tour at the Walker theater in Minneapolis. Front row. Even at their loudest, I could still hear Beth, not more than 10 feet away over all the speakers and monitors.
One morning I pulled into the parking lot for masters swim practice while Glory Box was playing. Tough song to interrupt, but I was already late. As I walked to the door, I was singing “Give me a reason to be a woman. I just want to be a woman.” I’m a middle-aged man but did not give AF if anybody heard me.
Based king
Both Dummy and Their self titled albums are no skips for me.
I appreciated when Mike Patton covered it and didn't change the lyrics.
@@msp720I love Patton and had no idea this existed, I’m off down the rabbit 🕳️
@@Outsider46n2 The crowd was spitting on him and he was pointing at his tongue and opening his mouth lmao. He also had buzzcut and moustache
One of the things I love about this song is that they decided to make the introduction 40 seconds of a single instrument. It works here perfectly. And the strings add to the haunting, sad nature of the song ... they sound like they are crying.
Another thing I love about it is how late the bass comes in. It's just fantastic.
Beth gibbons has been playing this as part of her ‘lives outgrown’ live set recently, so so good
Saw Beth Gibbons perform a version of this recently and it was spectacular. The crowd were perfectly silent and in awe. 10/10
As a Brit I love the knowledgeable, respectful and serious consideration you give to our music scene - even regional bands like Portishead that have enjoyed some success, but are hardly in the blockbuster league! We have some innovative, distinctive and dedicated musical artists (and associated ecosystem, discerning fans, etc), and it's wonderful to have this recognised.
When that bass solo comes in, gets me every time... 😥👌
You should see the live at Roseland performance of this song. They have a full orchestra and the atmosphere is electric. I think youd enjoy it immensely
You will always hear vinyl crackle and crunch with Portishead because even if they don’t use a sample (although sometimes they do) they record in the studio normally then bounce the stems onto a dub plate which is then kicked around the studio floor then sampled back into the sampler and the song is rebuilt inside the sampler (likely an MPC) before being re-recorded
yup came here to say this, I think all their main drum lines are all played
@@weedanwine sort of yeah they sample a live drummer playing then it chop it up and re-sequence it in an MPC. Live they are all playing.
The band Gone is Gone covered this back in 2017 and it's great.
I'll never forget being in art class, and our guest teacher put on this Portishead album. The whole class was weirded out at first, but by week's end everyone wanted it on constantly.
Fell back in love with Beth's voice with her new album, some of the most beautiful music I've heard this year.
I need to try it again. It didn’t catch me yet. Need to give it a chance.
agreed
There are few perfect albums, but this is one of them. Not a bad track on there.
Not a bad track in their entire discography.
One of the most underrated songs of all time, in my opinion.
There's a quiet trauma there, a longing, a body wracking heartbreaking. It has a feeling that i shouldn't even be listening to it - as though I'm looking into a journal entry of someone crying out for connection and understanding before they end their own existence... which strangely enough, saved my life hearing this song years ago (live at Roseland version).
I am simply grateful for this song... it made me feel less alone in my own grief and pain.
Underrated? Everyone I know thinks it's brilliant. All the music critics think it's brilliant. What do you mean by "underrated" here?
@@hundovir Perhaps different experiences, "Everyone I know" well, good for you, but where I am, like no one even knows Portishead exists (it sucks). And when it came out, no radio play (except maybe on college radio station once in a blue moon), no MTV rotation, and so yeah, underrated might be the wrong term, but for sure overlooked, at least where I am.
And Edit: to add to that, when I got tickets decades ago and was so excited to see them live, people just looked confused when I said i got tickets to Portishead "who?" was the most common reply. Sure, most my friends at that time were into the Cure, Depechemode, Front242 - so not just pop/mainstream, but I always felt alone in love for the band, let alone this song.
So - guess I'm jealous your experience is "Everyone I know thinks its brilliant" - everyone I know does too - after I have them listen to it for the first time!
@@swiftigoth So "one of the most underrated songs OF ALL TIME" in this instance means "some of my friends had never heard of it before I did around the time it came out".
The over use of this precious phrase is one of my pet peeves. It is solely dependent on the depths of the users musical and cultural knowledge. And when that pool reveals itself to be relatively shallow it nullifies the absoluteness of the phrase... for what?.... for the sake of something hyperbolic to say in a moment of intense musical appreciation. I just wish people would find their own words in these moments.
@@ou7shined972 - i can sort of understand your pet peeve, but your sense of superiority and lack of empathy over another's experience is ... i don't know what to tell you there.
And no, negative ghostrider, not "just" some of my friends, the measure of it being underrated is exactly what i stated: no radio play, no streaming, no video rotation - i don't know where you were when this came out, and although i'm grateful the band was not super mainstream (made tickets cheaper), it is entirely underrated in that quantifiable sense, measured and weighed, not be the opinions or reviews of a subjective musical critic - even if in Rolling Stone - but in the reach of the song, the ability for the artists/writers to make money for their work, so yes, I think highly underrated.
But I hold myself to the same standard of my own comment, it's subjective and an opinion, that's all. Hope you learn to do the same and just enjoy it for what it is.
@@swiftigoth I'm sorry but you are mistaken. Just because you feel it was under-played at the time (which of course it wasn't) doesn't mean it is an underrated song... of ANY time. Dummy won the Mercury prize mere months after its critically acclaimed release. And has won many such awards since. That's literally the antithesis of underrated. Roads has gone on to be one of the most recognisable tracks off the album and to this day is used widely in film and other media.
Being "underrated" is quantifiable. It's not an opinion.
The track is beautiful and emotive and I understand why you used this idiom. But like so many others before you, you used it incorrectly.
There are many great Portishead songs, but Roads has always been my favorite.
Someone who properly gets Portishead. A great advert for their music. Much like.
This song wrecks me everytime. The production, the performance, her voice to paint such an ode to loss.
I bought this album while I was on a road trip with a dear friend at university. Always loved it, especially this song, but I haven't seen that friend in a long time and now it hits different.
I was hoping when I saw the title that it would be "Roads", and it is "Roads"! It's such a knock-down, crushingly beautiful song and leaves my soul bare every time I listen to it.
I saw the thumbnail and before clicking I already heard this song in my head. The whole album is crazy good...
love the initial reaction on this...... not a word spoken by IXI for several minutes, jaw dropped - and the bass hadnt' even dropped!
1:40. When that wah drops and Beth's voice comes in, always gives me the chills. I get them again at 3:20 when that lovely round bass punches through with the strings. I bought Dummy on cassette when this album first came out lol.
FYI: Clive Deamer played the drums on this track, it wasn't sampled or programmed. Although you'd be forgiven to think it was, given it's a "loop" and this is -hip- trip hop.
That little bass line before the strings soar will always lift my soul upwards, one of the most beautiful records ever recorded- thank you Ixi for showing us their magic and as a Somerset lad I can tell you that the fact they recorded such amazing music named after an insipid nowhere town in the county is mind boggling, big love x
"Roads" is the most goosebumping song ever. Even today listening it for the thousandth time and even hearing bits between the analysis, hair on my arms stood up. Beth Gibbons voice is from another dimension and the arrangements are priceless jewels.
The way you verbalise the music you describe is as on-point as the music itself. This is not just analysis but profound insight. Instructive but not dry. Patient and generous with your time, nothing is missed. Wow!
My favourite portishead song of all time. Got to see them play it live back in 2011 I think. It was beautiful
@@LocalCryptidGhostdoll Coachella? I was there!!! III had just come out.
@cyclonasaurusrex1525 nah, Harvest festival in Victoria Australia, it was the only set of shows the had done here in like 16 years, and I don't think they've been back since
@@LocalCryptidGhostdoll But we got to see them!
This song takes me back to my first year of university in 2002, listening to a cassette that a classmate gave to me. It was a cold winter and the room was cold too, I was doing my best at that time to keep focus on studying while my mom was getting cancer treatment for her brain tumor.
Thanks for this breakdown. I love Portishead. Their music so often conveys such raw emotion, it cuts right to the heart.
I love that I can put on pretty much any vid of yours and just go “yup”. You get music in a way that resonates with me. It’s only you and Beato that do that for me :)
Can recommend @DeadWaxShow - I think you'll love it. Passion, humour, very analytical, great recommendations.
This track stops me dead in my tracks every time. Your insight into the song is so interesting. I love your work so much. I love hearing you articulate what you're noticing.
I LOVE this song. For my first year in music college, I made my own string arrangement for it, with a small choir and 2 synths. It was great 😊
It's haunting, it's beautiful. I told my close friends I want this song played at my funeral.
Knew which song you were referring to before I opened the link. Everything about this song is incredible. The organ. That first snare hit. Beth. And those strings off course. One of my absolute favorites of all time.
I never knew this songs name.. I never thought about the instrument that gave it the mood …. It was an instant love affair with the voice …. Thank you for sharing your insights on one of my favourite classics.
one of my most favorite Portishead songs
Beautiful analysis of a bitter sweet song of which I have a long standing emotional attachment.
Thank you for this one. Instant subscribe.
Wonderful homage to a beautiful song. For those of us who would go on to produce downtempo or even breaks in that era, we’d always ask “are we getting real emotion like Portishead? Is this real?”. Triphop and Big Beat might have become a product (whatever your feelings about Moby’s Play), but Portishead’s albums each were an incredible and daring statement. Would love to do a session with Adrian Utley one day - his guitar work is so emotional and understated to this day.
Roads is one of my fave songs. Brings me back to college days.
Roads cuts so deep, I can't.
💔
I wonder which plugin they used
@@christofthedead I'm not sure if you're kidding here, but Portishead are/were huge gear heads, it's most definitely a real Rhodes
Amazing group, amazing album, amazing song. ❤
I'd love to see your take on Beth Gibbons' haunting "Funny Time Of Year". Cheers from Brasil!
I really loved that Rustin Man album.
this came out when i was in uni. Totally set a vibe for my life
One of my favorite songs of all time. Thank you for all your wonderful insights as always!
Great, accurate singing when demonstrating!
When that record came out it was an instant classic. They started playing Sour Times on Live 105 and within weeks just about everyone had that disc
Easily my favourite track on my favourite Portishead album.
Your voice is also amazing.😮❤ Just an old dude here finally trying to learn bass guitar. It's fun trying to keep up. Cheers.
I was in my 20s during this time and Portishead bridged my love for old 70s soul, 80s hip hop and at that time electronic techno, all while reminding me of Prince’s boutique songs he would write ever so often. There’s no wonder why you still hear their music in movies and tv shows in 2024. It’s the past, present and future of the best in music.
The harmony keeping the high A until the last chord during the verses, when it goes down a semitone (kinda, as we get yet another higher note in the B, but the ear follows to the Ab I feel), is a super simple yet so effective device.
Wandering Stars is another very emotional Portishead song, my favourite from Dummy!
Beth Gibbons has recently released a solo album that is mega and is touring it so you should try catch her live if you can, the show is epic!
Great breakdown, the drums aren't sampled though, but they are processed to make it sound like it's sampled.
Several years ago, I was at a friend's place listening to records one night. It was mainly Big Black, and some Shellac 7"s (he had the lounge version of "Rambler", which was the first time I'd heard that version). Anyway, the night went on, and we wound up on this. I hadn't heard it. He was was like, "You HAVE to hear this." He wound up gifting me a copy. Fast forward to a few years later, and I was at a listening station that was connected to a speaker system at a Best Buy (when this store was still big) going through their music database (which had unedited versions of NWAs albums!), and put "Dummy" on (specifically "It could be sweet"). Someone walked by, and goes, "WHO is THIS?!"
Lonely came to mind when hearing this again. It really does sound lonely.
Adore your thoughtful and emotional countenance when listening 💜
I bought a Yamaha Reface CP just because of the rhodes in the intro of Roads. It nails the sound right out of the box.
Perfect sad smile song.
In 1996 I fell madly in love with a woman I haven't seen in over a decade to this album. It is hard to comprehend how much has changed and how much life is so different for me now. My heart is still there, unfortunately and I have never been able to make another relationship work since, though I have tried. I miss who we were, Rhonda.
Dummy is the best album in my ears and this song is one of Portishead's best for sure. Nice analysis, thanks.
When I was 16 years old, I was in a band. I was the one who made our website and I loved this song so much that I made a midi file and used it as a background music for our site. Apparently, I wasn't the only one who loved this because so many people asked me about the midi file and where they could find it!
This is my desert island song. The ONE I would pick if it could be the only one I could have.
Best track by Portishead
I hated most of the music my dad played in car radio back when I was a tiny man and now as a 26 year old one I am such a sucker for most of this stuff. I especially hated portishead and after all these years I consider these songs I've been hearing played to death the masterpieces. Having said that, excellent video as always and I silently hope for more dummy soon!
Ixi I am so happy. This makes me so happy. More Portishead please!
One of my favorite tracks, really enjoyed listening to your analysis - it was like hearing it for the first time again.
❤❤❤ I've been waiting for you to get to Portishead
Thank you!!!
Portishead and Beth Gibbons do not get enough love.
The power of this song performed live is intoxicating …witnessing people ’s jaw drop whom had never heard “Roads” before is something special ! Luv it!
Was lucky to see them like 6 years ago live at a festival. Concert started at 22h, sun was setting down, incredible soundmixing , stellar performance by the whole band....
But when the first chords of roads were played, you could feel the energy of this song flowing through the whole crowd like a big crushing wave of emotions. Definaiely in my top 3 concert memories ever!
This song has the ability to reach deep within anyone's soul and elicit answers to questions never asked - and raise questions to whose answers one might not be prepared
Thanks for reminding me of what just might be a perfect song. Fantastic commentary. Liked and Subbed.
This video was just suggested to me today, coming from Pianote reharmonisation with Anomalie! I have been a fan of Portishead since 1994; ironically, I live only 50 miles from the actual Portlishead! I have liked and subscribed :D
Fantastic breakdown - unwrapping so much of what makes this a truly great track
u make me appreciate songs that i probably skipped in the past
I really enjoyed this. Great analysis of a stone cold classic!! I wish I had your ears ❤
wonderful analysis. you have an amazing voice!
I know that this album's song titles don't always reflect any of the lyrics within, but now I think that 'Roads' must be named for the Fender Rhodes. The album ("Dummy") is totally amazing, by the way. Anyone who likes this track should definitely seek it out.
Love your show Ixi !!
The verse is roughly speaking the famous Andalusian cadence of flamenco fame then. I never realised till now.
Portishead, massive attack, Tricky… the incredible Bristol scene of late 80s early nineties uk music.
Neneh Cherry helped create this scene too, supporting up and coming artists.
Portishead was always my favourite though ❤
Loved Portishead while at Uni. Visited the place Portishead itself near Bristol from which the band originated, to rock climb in a quarry. Didn’t give me any great insights into the band! Beautiful unique songs
That describes all of Dummy! Not to mention those magical videos…
Geoff Barrow and Dave McDonald went to some of the most ridiculous steps to get results. Dave even went to steps like re-recording beats to yield a wax record and playing back the wax in the production process. Pressing blank wax tracks to get the raw real dirty record sounds in the production process.
I remember someone saying he put in the studio time (like Dr. Dre did to his production process) to get results.
Saw the video for Numb on MTV back in the day and knew immediately I had to have this album. Out of all the tracks on it Roads is the masterpiece I think.
This album is my 20s. I had this on cassette tape and had played it in my car so much I ruined it.
The production, the lowend is fantastic. Thanks for showing.
Appreciated this insight into this trip hop classic
Absolutely my favorite Portishead track. So much to unpack.
As it is explained, it is a pleasure to see each video and I like how ixi sings
Thank you so much for this video, I can sit and play this for hours!
I use the Stage-73 V-2 Plugin "the great one" preset and it sounds perfect!
Excellent breakdown if i may say of this beautiful song.
I saw the title and immediately assumed it was "Roads"
this brings back memories
Hey Ixi. Love Portishead and a lot of the other trip hop artists. If you haven’t already listened to Goldfrapp I would highly recommend Felt Mountain. An amazing album.
Yes! That synth solo on Lovely Head goes straight to my soul.
@@CarbonSolutions The solos that play during Lovely Head are actually Alison Goldfrapp’s voice run through some vocal effects, most likely a vocoder.
#FenderRhodesTremolo gang (which is why there’s so much space due to the repeats)
The switching of the tremolo speed is such an underrated part of the emotion of the track
@@DJKuroh same for Adrian’s guitar on wandering star
This entire album is golden. It's A Fire is severely underrated.
And not on the UK Dummy release, interestingly
@@elbee909 I know! So weird!
Great album❤❤
Genius!!! ❤
They played the drums and recorded them and had dubs cut and probably let them lay flat and sucffed them on some synthetic cloth to add the scratches but not so much that they overwhelm the drums. Also probably recorded faster than they were played back at which played slower will add to that darker tonality to them.
I recall reading an interview where they said the records were tossed and kicked about the studio in a very random process
@@lastvestiges I know from personal experience that storing records flat for even say like a week the grooves squash and it starts to affect the high end of the frequency spectrum fairly noticeably, but yeah between that and any way to add some scratchyness without causing skips would get it 90% of the way to where the drums are on the recordings. Like I said I also suspect they recorded them slightly faster than they intended to play them back at further giving them a bit darker tonality.
Ah yes... Welcome to Portishead :D
I was listening to it 2007 or something... Good memories... Good songs... Numb. Glory box. And this one... And some other..