Spring '08 LPs From Madonna, Coldplay, The Roots, Mudcrutch, Elvis Costello

Portishead

Third 4/29

In the nine years since the seminal trip-hop group last released an album of original material, their brand of moody cinematic soundscapes went from next big thing to last week's trend to being co-opted by major acts like Gnarls Barkley and Radiohead. So it's no surprise that the long-awaited Third keeps Portishead firmly planted in the aesthetic that made them cult heroes in the first place: sinewy grooves, heavy strings and Beth Gibbons' haunting vocals.