While Portishead's studio recordings, Dummy and Portishead, are positively enthralling, their live performance makes their blend of jazz, hip hop, and elements that can only be called Porisheadian sound like breathtaking new material. The moog is icier, the brass sharper, the scratching more fierce. The orchestra, which sounds like a low-key background effect on their studio albums, takes on a fully engaging, cinematic role, making you feel like you're a part of a 70's cult spy flick. And on "Mysterons," the uncontrolled orchestral climax is overwhelming. Enhancing and completing Portishead's beautifully cool sound is singer Beth Gibbons. Her delicate voice is even more revealing live, reflecting every bit of heartache and sadness that comes with love and deceit. She even manages to transform their hit "Sour Times" into a primal scream therapy session. Certainly didn't see that one coming.