Dummy

It's giving 007 title theme

This album is just not my cup of tea. I had heard the song Glory Box before, but beyond that I had no idea what this album or artist were about. It's not technically bad, but it's just not something I would ever listen to. I would reach for something else, and if I heard it (and was able to control the music wherever I heard it) I'd change it to listen to something I liked more. Neither the music nor lyrics resonated with me and I was just looking forward to it being over. 2/5

חמוד לפעמים אבל הרוב משעמם

I’ve attempted to like Porisehead many times through years, but nothing I heard pulled in. It’s electronic trip hop which I typically enjoy , but this album is a bit too gloomy, or downbeat, for my tastes. I suppose the biggest sin it’s its boring. As a huge fan of Bjork, the opener, Mysterons, is a favorite but not enough to keep this Dummy in rotation.

This is sexy jam music for sad people. I'm neither sexy nor sad enough for this, but I do have a story. Years ago, I worked in a hospital pharmacy. It was like 2011 so streaming wasn't taking off yet, but we had XM radio. Usually the senior pharmacist made a pick, and usually that pick was the Grateful Dead station, so we'd hear 3 songs in an 8-hour shift, but sometimes they'd give the reins over. One night, a resident pharmacist put it on some 90's channel and Portishead came up. They got VERY excited. They were the same age as me and so they asked if I was also excited, or, rather noticing, why I wasn't as excited. "I don't know them?" "We're the same age and you don't know Portishead?" "Do you know Slayer?" "...No." I'm going to put on Slayer after this.

I don't really understand what made this band very influential. There were several other bands from around the same time or that came before that were doing similar stuff but way more interesting. This album is kind of boring. I didn't really enjoy it at all.

It's an album full of james bond songs but none are THE bond songs

Nope. Achingly, painfully overrated. Nothing revolutionary about it. Damn, these high reviews really give me no hope for humans.

As far as 90s electronica goes, this is better, but I'm not sure if it warrants the relatively high score this album got, especially given other albums that were way better. This was tolerable as I've been a big hater of bygone era of electronica. 4/10.

It wasn’t too bad, I can’t really see the hype that the reviews seem to give it. Nothing special to me but maybe just because it’s not for me.

Reading about the album and how it is considered the spearheading of "trip hop" is kind of cool. Also as someone who enjoys lofi from time to time, I can see why people like this album. However this one just wasn't for me.

That's not my taste in music

Think I would have enjoyed it more in the right context. Glad the only Portishead song I know finally came in at the end. Best track too.

Felt very repetitive. Some good ideas throughout

I think I need to be in a certain mood to appreciate this and I was not when listening today

Was almost torture to listen to the vocals. Yearning, sorrowful or whatever they were.

Eh, kinda boring after awhile. I liked the opener, "Mysterons", but then it's just more of the same but not as appealing. Not for me.

2/5 - not my thing

Very chill, smooth. I did not dislike it, but it's not for me either.

"we have Bjork at home" is what I felt this whole listen, and I really gave it a shot. Nothing clicked, its not objectively bad, but there is just very little to nothing here.

Not for me. Wanted to like it but didn’t.

Mood music

Interesting Roads Glory Box

Maybe I'm just in a good mood, but I hated this less than I thought I would.

Irritating acid house trip hop. Reading about the production of this album was more interesting than actually listening to it. I see the Wikipedia article about this says that this album was popular as background music in cafes and as bedding tracks on TV and radio, a nightmarish time which brought back memories.

Apparently this is one of Apple’s Top 100 albums of all time. I ain’t buying it. High 2 because it’s mellow

Kinda felt like the intro to a James Bond movie. Which was cool but also just not something I want to hear a whole album of.

I didn't really like this. There were too many record-scratching sound effects, and her voice was a bit drony. it was also a bit slow for me, which made 50 minutes feel like about 500.

This is what the opera that senator palpatine was seeing in Star Wars sounded like.

The Good: The title of the album already points out the fact that I am a … The Bad: If the band knew that I am a dummy, then why did they even bother publishing this album? The Ugly: the fact that I actually listened to it twice in the hopes that I would be less dummy, and more yummy… So, they like Ennio Morriconi’s work, so do I, but not in the sense of “hey, let’s just create an entire album that has way to slow compositions, use drum machines to create an annoying beat, and make sure we uppppppp the bass on all channels! Trip Hop, or Indie Rock, or any of the other labels that has been thrown around to explain which genre this album should belong to, should tell you enough that if it isn’t clear to the publishers, or trade journalists, then what are we supposed to think about it? So, here’s me, mr Dummy, enjoying the fact that I don’t have to listen to the album a third time, as I’m smart enough to realize my opinion on this album won’t change… 2* for effort...

Listened to Portishead 5-6 years ago on recommendation from my foreman at work who was definitely a hard drug enjoyer. Didn't like it then, don't really like it now. I think I understand trip hop as a genre a bit better today than I did 5-6 years ago, but this still just isn't for me. Too slow with decent but boring grooves. Singer being monotone is also a minus. Maybe on ketamine.

Not for me

This is not interesting. Why is it here? Some songs had nice parts but I don’t need it.

More substance than the others English 90s electronic, which isn’t exactly saying much, but still,

Bit monotonous

The equivalent of turning on a fan at night so you have a bit of noise to fall asleep to. Really boring, basically the same thing all the way through

Groupe connu de nom uniquement. En fait non, j'avais déjà entendu 'Glory Box', sans l'associer à ce groupe. Belle voix, mais je trouve les morceaux monotones (à part justement 'Glory Box' très réussi), et 10/11 morceaux monotones font un album ennuyeux. Il n'est cependant pas désagréable à entendre (+1). =>2/5

Eh

Meh

Vieläkin musta vähän tylsää tää Portishead. 2/5

Meh.

Mysterons - Man if all the vocals are like this, I'm in for a long one...Not for me 1min in. I don't mind the instrumentation, but overall pretty boring. Sour Times - I don't think I'm gonna like a single song on this album. Vocals are just not for me. Instrumentation isn't interesting enough. Random thoughts: Ok so just found out Portishead is considered "trip hop" dont think i know anyone else in that genre. I can definitely see why this album was critically acclaimed, but boy is it not for me Strangers - So much of this album sounds the same. Putting me to sleep. Like do SOMETHING WITH THE VOCALS. BE INTERESTING! Sorry, just not a fan. It Could Be Sweet - Ok this one is starting off a bit different, kinda fun so far. Ope and then Beth comes in with the most uninspired vocals. The production literally sounds like elevator music now... Like I just can't imagine seeing this band live, you'd fall asleep. Not that live shows are the end all be all for judging bands, but... Wandering Star - This production kinda reminds me of a Splinter Cell soundtrack. It's just that little bass line or whatever it is. Kinda fun. Beth's vocals just aren't for me. Sorry I keep repeating that. It's A Fire - It's just not very entertaining. Nothing grabs my attention Numb - Sounds like Griselda is gonna come rap on this. Roads - This one has a lot of streams, lets see if it lives up to the hype. I like the moody intro. Ope and then Beth comes in.....fuck. Yeah I didn't like it Pedestal - I kinda like the production on this one, sounds very modern. Almost reminds me of Badbadnotgood. This might be my favorite song, but still not a big fan. Biscuit - I think the production on this album is actually pretty sweet. This is another good example. I can definitely tell that this was pretty revolutionary at the time of release. Or if not revolutionary, I can see why it was praised by critics. Seems pretty modern tbh. But Beth's vocals are not my cup of tea at all Glory Box - Ok, most streams on the album, better be good. Yeah it's gonna be more of the same. Production/instrumentation kinda cool, but not something I'd go back to. Might be Beth's best performance though Overall thoughts - You can reference my thoughts from Biscuit. I get why this was critically acclaimed, but I have no desire to listen to it again.

un meh muy mehazo

Some good songs but not my favorite voice

Dark lofi

Yeah sorry just not hearing the greatness here.

Had kinda a skewed view of them before listening to this. The rip was the only other song I knew by them and this album was v different than that. I like the weirdness though just not my fav

I really liked the music but wasn’t into the vocals

The 90s were, in my opinion, the best era to grow up in musically. That opinion is not based on Portishead being active, as they are the dreariest bunch of bastards.

Alright album, not by any stretch something I'd ordinarily listen to. Genre was almost lo-fi but not quite. Would maybe listen to the first two songs, again but not in a rush. Don't actively hate it but definitely not the most enjoyable listen I've had.

Not for me this one. Too slow and felt repeative. Would have to be in a very specific sort of mood to enjoy this.

Reminds me of how music was influenced but still not my taste. Fist half of the album was good, lost interest in the middle

Not good.

очень мрачно и музыка с болот, не могу долго слушать

Did not leave a lasting impression

This was a 1 star album until Glory Box added the second star. 2 stars or D+.

While I think that this is one of the most interesting albums I've listened to so far, it didn't really leave much more of an impression on me. I enjoy the vibe of it for the most part, though.

Not hugely into it. Could honestly have given it a one but a few tracks on the back end of the album kinda saved it.

Kinda gave me evanescence vibes. I didn’t think it was particularly great though. I also need to write my review on Friday.

An interesting album. Not much that I can really compare it to. I appreciate it's place on this list, but I wasn't crazy about it.

Not my type of music. Nondescript.

2,5

It is true I find this listenable. Can I differentiate between songs? No.

Not for me. Not enough gusto for my taste.

Bad. Rambly and simplistic.

I wanted to like this. But after a while it just felt like a slog. 2.5 but rounding down bc I’ve been giving too many generic 3s. Sorry Portishead.

Bleak and depressing. Felt like I should put on a turtleneck and drink coffee in a dark room all day.

I had heard of Portishead, but never heard their music. I didn’t mind it. More trip than hop, in my opinion. I did really like Beth’s voice. Lots of mid tempo songs that I enjoyed. I felt the beginning of the album kept my attention better than the second half. So…..now I can say I heard of Portishead and have listened to their entire album.

Mom please come pick me up I’m scared

Definitely James Bond credit worthy material. But it didn’t hold up through the whole album. It faded into simple background music halfway through. High 2+.

Ehh, it was aight.

Very slow electronica. Not bad for background music, but Portishead continues not to be something I can connect with. 2/5

Not as trip hop as I wanted.

I like TripHop in general, but never got the hype about Portishead. It's music to die to for me.

Not my kind of music

I just don't get it....I tried and I don't get it.

ganz nett

Not my style of music

jag vill gilla detta och det börjar ganska bra, andra låten är faktiskt jättebra. men sen ser man igenom det och det blir bara sämre.

meh

Es klingt alles so ein bisschen gleich. Im Hintergrund in einer Bar wohl ganz okay.

Not really my style of music and songs drag a bit. A couple are interesting though.

Gloomy, slow and somewhat repetitive. It builds an interesting atmosphere. Favorite track: Roads

I liked it more than I expected to but overall probably won’t listen again

Know nothing about this other than I think I’ve heard the band name before. I want to like this, and it’s not BAD just…boring. I could see this being okay driving around at night, or playing in the background of a Borders books circa 2002, but I don’t think I’d ever actively search this one out. 2/5

Excellent music for a movie to use to indicate a character's declining mental health. As music for me to listen to, not really into it.

2.5

In my early days of sexual relations with the ladies, I’d always put slow burning songs on to make the mood right. This album would do it. It won’t make you stop mid thrust and say “Ooooo I like this song” but you’d still think it. Aside from Glory Box, that’s a stop thrusting track Choice Cut: Glory Box

Not my cup of tea

Started skipping when I realized I had no idea if I was listening to a new track or not.

could i write poetry to this? n

This album has never clicked with me. It's not bad, there's just nothing that makes me want to come back for more.

Groovy and moody, I like it as a background brain food type sound.

Boring

I really don't like her voice.

Different. A couple catchy songs. Not my favorite

Eh.

It didn't fetch me or I didn't get it. Maybe both. At first it felt a bit like old Evanescence stuff in a different way. They had many good ideas but didn't think them through. Felt like waiting for something that wouldn't happen. Like stopping every time you're about to orgasm.

I didn’t buy this album in 1994 and I never have been that into it. I understand why it’s important, but just not my jam.

triphop er ikke for mig tror jeg :/ begyndte ret hurtigt at kede mig

Worth another listen. But basically not my kind of thing.

OK but not a favourite

On paper I should really like this. Hip hop beats mixed with electronic and ambient. This should be my number one album from that description, but it's just not hitting. Maybe it's the vocals. Yeah, those are really bringing it down. And the dark and creepy edge the music has is unsettling, and not enjoyable.

While I respect the astute production, it seems despite all the intricate production the songs aren't all that memorable as individuals tracks. The lyrics and vocal performance seem disjointed from the instrumentals completely, and perhaps that is the point artistically, but who knows? I am brought back to memories of brooding people in booths puffing away on clove cigarettes while high on Molly. Personally, of the Bristol sound, I am a bigger fan of Massive Attack's soundscape. Being an adult in 90s, when this album came out, every decade or so I have tried to get into Portishead and their album DUMMY, in particular, but never quite managed to feel anything from their album. If you have also come away with this feeling, I recommend instead, the far lesser known British band of the time, 12 Rounds "My Big Hero" which creates grooves that support the vocals rather than feeling like an endless come down room at a rave. They are also more fearless about exploring other genres. Atticus Ross, a founding member of 12 Rounds with his wife Claudia Sarne, would eventually become the second permanent member of Nine Inch Nails. Perhaps this would have been more interesting as an instrumental only album. I sometimes feel the intent of this album was meant for DJs and not for individuals to listen to as an album. Over the years people have told me they get Bond-esque vibes from this album, but I just don't hear it. This lacks the big bold vocal and instrumental arrangements of the best Bond tracks like "Goldfinger", "You Only Live Twice", "Nobody Does It Better", and "Goldeneye", all tracks released prior to this album. And quite frankly Gibbons doesn't feel like she has the pipes for that kind of performance. If you did not grow up in the 90s and wonder why there were so many rock/electronica albums in the 90s, it was because recording and mixing electronica became far more affordable, with advances of personal computers and the rise of the Internet in the 90s, than it had been prior to the boom in audio DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), such as Digidesign Pro Tools.

Never heard before. think, I'm not missing a lot.

Kinda like if Cranberries and a Baz Luhrmann had a baby

Fjortishövve.

Chilly electronics

way too much cymbal/etc. in the drums for me

Another meh album. This sounded a bit like Fiona Apple, but not as good.

Not horrible but definitely not for me. Don't like electronics and don't care for the vocals.

An odd mixture of cheesy movie soundtrack themes with James Bond-type vocals.

Just not really a Portishead fan, don't think I ever will be, whole album is just meh

If it was just music, it might be listenable. Don’t care for the lyrics, not my style.

Kinda weird and unique. Makes me think of a movie album.

Pretty boring. The songs are not very distinguishable from each other. 2/5 Won’t listen again

Definitely 90's club music

J'aime bien Sour Time, sinon j'ai pas détesté mais j'ai pas accroché. La dernière chanson impossible de l'apprécier elle est trop teintée par la pub Nina ricci 2.5

Je connaissais que Glory Box. Je comprends pourquoi, c'est la seule bien...

I’m sorry, but listening to the vocalist, Nadja from What We Do In the Shadows came to mind, and then I couldn’t get that out. I remember the release of Glory Box and their performance on TOTP was a massive thing (because they were from the sameish county as it from), but honestly I didn’t and still don’t get the hype. Trip-Hop? Dance act? I don’t even know what it is but I know it’s up its own arse.

Music brought my spirits down.

Pretty Boring

this is not usually the type of music that is in my wheelhouse. and also today I am road tripping, so I think this album did not land for me twice over. I don't think it was bad, but I found it to be a little dull, and it does not make for good road trip music. not my thing!

Day5 - not my cup of tea. Sour Times and Glory Box are good but the rest no thanks

Didn’t care for the vocals, music was good. 2/5

Not my preference but ight

Some interesting soundscapes, a few really good grooves, and interesting hip-hop influence. Can tell this was influential on some later music, my mind went immediately to the song in the waiting line by Zero 7. Ultimately just didn’t enjoy that many tracks, way more misses than hits.

How is this so acclaimed? I find it really boring. Reminds me of Bjork.

Kind of boring.

I haven't uncovered why this album has been heaped with so much praise and I'm left feeling empty. After listening several times, I experienced a continual disconnect like I'm missing a puzzle piece leading me each time with increased frustration. Part of the problem was my own faulty perception to hear something more driving and upbeat. But the other element I picked up on, though perhaps I'm being a bit jaded, save for Beth Gibbons, is how lifeless this feels in places or even forced. It seems as though Portishead is so reliant on samples and setting a mood that the elements of memorable song writing/craft suffer. This isn't bad. There are interesting things happening with the music, but I hoped and expected more and found myself feeling exhausted trying to enjoy it.

Very cool. It sounded cool. I'd put this on if I owned a record shop and had to run inventory while opening the store and warming up the espresso machine. Enjoyable, but mainly for the vibes.

Geht so

Honestly, a bit mopey. Not for me

2/5 - not my cuppa

I remember in the mid 90s, as a student, you were expected to like dirge like this but it just never appealed to me

Probably hugely influential for loads of artists I like. Also slightly unreal this was 1994. Glory Box is a classic. Wouldn’t listen again but appreciate it for what it is.

Sad android music.

Quite fun and varied album. I still zooned out though when sitting in a plane on my way to London only listening to that... Hope you guys enjoyed work ;)

I didnt love this either. When I brought the album up on spotify, it also brought up Massive Attack, which I can only take so much of. I like some aspects to this album, but i probably wouldnt listen to this again

There's some cool loops and beats on this but I found it a bit boring and the vocals were just okay.

Bleh

Weer saaaie triphop, al teveel van geluisterd

Wel goed, niet super

Better than the first. But still not my kind of music.

This isn't unlistenable. It is very dull though. This type of music just doesn't move me at all.

Could be zone out music with a bear, but don't think I'd pull it up intentionally in the future

Meh

When will the list of 90's UK electronic music be exhausted? I've only got so much trying to understand it left in me.

So the trip hop genre is not my thing and this album confirmed that. It wasn’t inherently bad, I actually found myself bobbing along at times. The problem was everything blended together and I would have needed to expend way too much brain power to figure out why people love this album so much. In the words of that lady from that meme, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”

C Mysterons 3 Sour Times 4 Strangers 2 It Could Be Sweet 2 Wandering Star 2 It's a FIre 4 Numb 2 Roads 3 Pedestal 2 Biscuit 2 Glory Box 3 This was pretty g honestly. As 2's go, this was definitely one of the better ones. Thanks Portishead!

Not a huge fan. And the sounds in the song 'Numb' were the same as my phone vibrate notification which was confusing.

not a fan stan

Nah

Not really my taste. Nothing on the album particularly stood out to me, but the music was easy enough to let fade into the background while doing other things.

Si bien el triple hop es un estilo el álbum me pareció muy repetitivo en los pulsos de las canciones, el estilo, y en sí las canciones sin mucha fuerza todas iguales.

I always thought of Portishead as a band that college students would have liked just to sound cool. To me they're just a band who try to be too clever by using as many effects as they can. I got sick of the singers voice and almost identical style for each song. Pretty boring.

Didnt really rate this but i also was passed out for half of it

Not for me

Detta album var alldeles för svårt för mig, tror jag missade poängen totalt. Har såklart charmiga inslag som uppmuntrade en till att fortsätta lyssna men räknade i största del låtar tills albumets slut. Hade kunnat vara en soft genomlyssning instrumentalt, men sången gjorde en konstant påmind om vad man lyssnar på. Inte min grej tyvärr. + för stråkar och najs interludes.

Blah.

En voi sanoa, etteikö kuulostaisi miellyttävältä ja hyvältäkin, mutten vain voi nauttia, kun joka biisi kuulostaa samalta. Ja biisit on sentään eroteltu. Vaatii liikaa vaivaa erottaa selkeät nyanssit

Nunca me gusto Portishead me parece bastante soso.

Boring, I'm just not into trip hop

es como escuchar los discos de tu abuela a través de un mediocre barniz noventero. nada original. se deja escuchar mientras trabajas.

Sounds like a Bond soundtrack, works as a background music

There's a couple good tracks on here but you really have to be in a certain mood for Portishead

Interesting musical concepts but lack of variety had me bored by the end

This was not good. Not the worst but not good. Barely a 2

90's trip-hop that's worth a close listen - took me a few tunes to start hearing the complexity in the writing and production. In the end, not enough to keep me interested or coming back.

meh. couple things were ok. but kinda droning on

Not an album for a sunny day.

Yes, it's got some funky, weird, hip hop sounds, but it's just too slow for me. I could drift off to sleep, albeit I accept it would a a deep sleep dreaming of candyswirls and popsicles. There's also been too much of this genre recently, and by too much I mean one album

Too many disonant notes.

I am in the vast minority on this one. Not a fan of trip-hop, so perhaps ignore me. It's droning and boring to me.

Spooky. I don’t like it.

Meiner Absicht nicht so gut wie die zweite. Wandering Star ist natürlich GROSS. Sonst als Erstling eher nur so lala.

Deze muziek heeft wel wat geinige geluidjes, maar is ook weer erg zweverig. Niet mijn ding. **

- 1 scary funky - 2 jazzy stroll - 3 meandering - 4 jazz dream - 5 bebop background music - 6 no.

90s UK trip hop has never really been my thing and generally sounds quite dated now. This is a good example of that dated and underwhelming genre, and is about as good as it gets. Glory Box is the highlight by a long distance. Rating: 2.5/5 Playlist track: Glory Box Date listened: 15/02/23

Highlight Tracks: Sour Times, It’s a Fire Weird. Really weird Probably never going to listen to it again 2/5

I’m conflicted on this album because I didn’t particularly like it but I understood it’s merit. Had a cool haunting jazz vibe but I just don’t think it’s something I’d ever consistently want to jam.

Not really for me

Meh

This felt like background music to me. Not bad but not very engaging.

Progrock aktig med litt hiphop insp Ingen bangers men Biscuit er litt kul Ingen sanger jeg hadde hørt før

Not my cup of tea.

meh

Very slow very meh. Everything sounded fine until she started singing-“D.R.”

Spy movie sad ambience. It was cool for one song, and it dragged for an album.

Background music 2.5

First album... interesting but kind of boring track 1 - 3/10 (not a good intro) track 2 - 6/10 (cool) track 3 - 3.5/10 (the intro of it was really good - might even sample it at some point, but it started to get weird after that; not a fan) track 4 - 3/10 (the production is so weak holy... vocals are ok) track 5 - 4/10 (nothing stands out in the album so far; synth in the outro is beautiful. sad it's only right at the end) track 6 - 3.5/10 (meh) track 7 - 2/10 (I hate these beats) track 8 - 6.5/10 (finally! this could go into the playlist only if the vocals weren't so dry) track 9 - 5/10 (not bad) track 10 - 2/10 track 11 - 4.5/10 (nothing special about the outro but it's listenable) total - 43/110 = 3.91/10

Good for some quintessential flowy/electronic music that feels like belongs in a 90s movie soundtrack. Ultimately though I was wavering between 2 and 3 stars because while it wasn't bad, it very easily just fell into the background and was super similar song to song so I got bored about halfway through. Nothing wow-ed me so I'm rounding down

This was tolerable to a point but I’d never listen to it again. This album tries to have that Indie beat vibe but suffers from repetitive melodies and a mediocre at best singer.

Too simple. Would be cool to listen to it as background music

Doesnt sound bad but its not something ill consider listning to again

Ah, more bog UK techno. You know those Sunday mid-mornings after a night on the ecstasy, when you start to get drowsy but you're also still in party mode? That's when bullshit like Portishead gets put on. It's not good, you're just coming down. 2/5.

Feels like a fever dream.

There are a lot of bits here that I should like, but this album doesn't work for me. Much of it struck me as pretentious (particularly the first half) - like someone trying to craft an album specifically to make it on "you've got to hear these albums" list while critics all nod sagely and say how excitingly experimental it is. I made it through, but unlikely to ever play it again.

Sleepy navel gaze. “Sour Times” and “It could be sweet” were ok.

Fine. I mean, I could chill back and listen to this but I’m not going to _listen_ to it.

I tried. I really did. But it’s so boring

I can be brief - I bought this album on the basis of what others told me. This subsequently served to reinforce the notion that I should trust my own instincts. A yawn-a-thon, lingering in the speakers like a drab, wet Sunday afternoon.

I only made it through half of the album. I didn't care for it. Just not for me.

The early notes of Portishead magic are here, but they're much too dated and buried underneath abstruse arrangements to make much of an impact. I'll always be a "Third" fan (likely a function of my age, but who knows), and to me that LP works because it has the perfect mix of dynamic contrast and emotion – this one doesn't hit the right balance between loud and soft, emotional and out-there to really leave a favorable impact

I won't pretend to be a trip-hop expert but this was really underwhelming. Bland background noise that all mushed together.

2.5

very mellow

The chill factor here is undeniable, the hiphop grooves and melodies are nothing to scoff at here. In fact, they are very much a good thing on this album. Perfect rhythm to write to, or do office work. The real weakness here is the vocals. It is an interruption to the aforementioned enjoyable grooves. The lyrics do not take control as they should, nor do they add enough to the songs to justify their presence, and this is a problem for most of the album because if this is triphop, let the listener be on the trip. Notable exception is the final track "Glory Box" where tonally the singer and the music found their harmony. Lounge-sound, some well done crooning, was a well-taken trip. It is a shame that the rest of the album did not match this energy.

Couple of belters, but6 overall meh

Meh. Not a terrible album by any means, but not something I would listen to again.

Far too many of these contemporary and electronic albums that provide little must hear value or excitement. Just a boring album, regardless of production quality.

Even non-instrumental electronic music is still electronic music at the core: doesn't give anything at all and is rather annoying

Trip hop isn't really my thing, but this is perfectly fine for the background. 'Glory Box' was the best track by far.

Meh

the leads singer is passionate about the songs

Not bad. Mellow. Pleasant. Might not make my regular rotation but glad I heard it. I never heard of the "trip hop" genre, but it sounds like it's under the alternative branch. Maybe even a little prog??

I'm not a fan of the genre so for me it got very monotonous very quickly. While the voice is quite pleasant, the rest is pretty mediocre.

This was really dull to me. All the songs blended together and I couldn't really differentiate one from the other. No stand outs for me.

Tried to like it. Beth Gibbons moaning voice is the sure cure for insomnia. The sampling is uninspiring. I know a lot of people like this album. Sorry, I didn’t get it.

Bit weird, wouldn't have listened to it otherwise.

BAD

We'll see, but so far might not be my thing...its fine for the background

Bah, non è brutto, ma non mi piace. No ok, da 'it could be sweet' peggiora: scratch casuali, sonorità che fanno a pugni tra di loro, voce per la maggior parte del tempo noiosa. 'Glory box' la migliore insieme a 'Roads', salvano l'album.

Meh

Roads and Glory Box are obvious stand-outs, but a cursory look at Portishead's Spotify page could have told you that. I can't really call the album boring - the instrumentation is pretty wacky throughout - but at the same time I'm not really moved by it. Found myself saying "that sure is a song" occasionally. But, you know, Glory Box still slaps.

weak sauce. 2/5

Critics love female singers who sound like wounded birds, and I can't figure out why. Also, can we calm down with the scratching? Best track: Glory Box

Nfm

Not for me

Used to love it. Now i just realise how boring it is and there are two good tracks. Rest filler

I won't deny that they're damn good at their metier, curio samples and instrumental filigrees. But I will argue that there's such a thing as too much joyless warbling over tranquillised beats, and this is it.

meh 2/5

Kinda like early lo-fi. Pretty vocal tone from female lead singer, but not really digging the sound. Pretty repetitive.

Boring Radiohead-style slow blandness

Some cool music but ultimately it’s never exciting to listen to.

2.5

напомнило pj harvey тока опопсевшую

Moody and dark songs about situations gone awry.

Trip hop. Like The Avalanches and Evanescence got together in the mid 90’s.

not my style

It’s not horrible, but it’s definitely not my jam

Nah, didnt work for me at all. I'm sure at the time and in the right circumstances this was a good album but I couldn't get on with it.

I get there was an ambient vibe but not really my bag.

2

whatever

Running out of things to say about Albums where I basically go 'this is fine'

Not my style, but interesting

Assez ennuyant

too mellow and sad, not very engaging

Meh

This is very different from what I listen to on a daily basis. The sound is very interesting as it is very trippy at times. It does get repetitive throughout the album.

i wanted to like this. i wanted enough time to have passed since 1995 when i was hearing that damn song all the time. i wanted to find something here beyond what there was. i was disappointed on all fronts.

I actually enjoyed some of the instrumentals on this album, especially "Glory Box". However this is simply not my cup of tea otherwise.

Grand. Every track is the same. Nice easy to listen to but wouldn't be in a rush to play it again

Muito edgy, musicalmente fraco

Boomy, bassy, muddy sound.

No. I always thought this band was something else entirely, but what they are is much different, and I am not sure it is better. =[

nah

Zzzzzzz

This is not for me. Shoegazy. Sad, frustrating. The music is technical and unique, but the melodies are dragging. I could see being a goth teen and wanting to chill in my room and listen to this but im not that so i dont want that.

Boring. Bad vocals

Loved this as a moody teenager, if you're on the wavelength of any song on the album you'll love them all. I'm just not on the wavelength anymore.

🤨

Not for me. Every song sounds the same

Not a fan.

The title says it all. 1

нц це було якось ну взагалі

not my thing

Vaya bazofia. No hay pir donde cogerlo

1-2

Lots of these in the USA these days.

Ass. Just straight ass

i hate this album it's ass

I listened to 2 songs and i dont like it

Not a fan of this at all.

Aggressively not for me! DNF. but I tried.

1. Okay, kinda weird. Sort of trippy. Of course it's the 90s. I don't know if I love this kind of music, a little too hypnotic for me. I get a little annoyed sometimes hearing a woman's voice whispering and singing so softly. A lot of flourishes, don't know if I love that either. Yeah too dreamy for me. 2. Okay pretty much exactly the same as the last one. Too dark, too dreamy, too many flourishes, portishead singing quietly. IDK if that's her name or if it's a band, I don't really care enough to look it up. 3. Okay, finally something different. Kinda sounds like a hospital heart monitor. And now we're back to portishead whisper singing with no clear melody. Okay the beat drop was good. Kind of gives me like y2k dark action movie soundtrack. 4. Okay, this is the worst one so far. so boring. Okay, god forgive me but I'm giving up. If I didn't like the first 5 songs I highly doubt ill like the rest of them. I like glorybox because ive heard it before and its kinda catchy and a little sexy but i dont even think of it as such a great song anyways even though i like it. Im giving up. mY BAD.

Boring

Not a fan

Ergendwie esch das albom chli e meschig us James Bond ond geischterbahn, so tönts zom teil zomendescht. Tönt zwar spanned, esches aber ned bsonders. Dör das ziehd sech das Albom chli. T Songs send eigentlech no relativ eifach ufbaut. Zo gronde liid dem es Schlagzüüg, wo gwössi, eher Komplexeri beats spellt. Druf chömed de wahlwiis entweder e Rockgitarre oder Synth-Tön. Zoberscht weder de no dröber gsonge. Gwössi Songs hend dezue no es wiiters Elemänt wie e Glogge oder Scratches. Tönt eigentlech gar ned so onenteressant. Wörd sech t Melodie ennerhalb vom Song ned emmer ond emmer weder wederhole. Sie wär jo eigentlech no enteressant, aber es tönt eifach emmer rächt gliich ond das bi dere eher relaxte Musig. Das so öppis Fonktioniert, mues es aber rächt fätze. T Musig mues eim chli Energie gä ond de send so wedercherendi Elemänt no rächt guet. Gliichziitig esches au es rächt experimentells Albom. Das merkt mer ned ome a de verschedne "Intromänt" wo bruucht wärded, wie scho gseid t Glogge oder t Scratches, sondern au, dass verschednigschti damals neui elektronischi Beats igsetzt wärded. Die fendi aber trotz mehrfachem lose öberne rächti Ziitspanni emmer no chli komisch. Wahrschiindlech liid das dra, das es för mech nümi sensationells neus esch. Was es deför ned merkbar hed esch Autotune. Guet das esch im 94i au no ned gross s Thema wels erscht im 97i use cho esch, es wär aber au absolut ned nötig gse. T tön trefft sie präzise. Trotz dere vele Kritik geds no zwöi wiiteri positivi pönkt. Erschtens merkt mer jo scho, dass sie Musig chönd mache. Sie sengt ned nome guet, es fonktioniered au rächt komplexi Passage. Zodem gfalled mer gwössi Idee no rächt, wie öppe gwössi Öbergäng zwösche verschednige Teil vo Songs oder halt t Scratches wo guet platziert send. Esch secher prime Sample material. Schlossändlech mues mer säge, dass es secher hörbar esch. Förs rechtig zuelose ziehds sech aber doch e chli fesch ond för e Hendergrond esches z fescht experimentell ond wierd. Also e komischi Meschig. Vo dem profitiert das Albom ned wörk, obwohl t Band jo scho guet wär.

Abysmal

Bad trip hop. I had high expectations going into this because Kanye said this was one of his favorite albums of all time, and the other albums that he liked were pretty good. This was pretty boring, and I'm not sure what you call that effect they put on her voice but it was awful.

The third

no. Just no. Not a fan.

Meh

All sounds the same, very dreary

I have never heard of this band before so I am excited to get into listening to this album. Track 1 right off the bat has an interesting beat, seems to be a female-led band which can be really hit or miss in my opinion. I like the kind of eerie, mysterious vibe this song is giving off. So far, I am wondering if the song ever reaches a climactic point or if there is some kind of main verse/melody but it does not seem like there will be either of those things. I think its a cool sound at first, but it does not go anywhere so I hope the other songs are different. Track 2 is honestly boring. The songs seem to be just repetition of the same phrases/verse with little to no growth or depth. I am not impressed at this point in the album. Track 3 has a good beat, which is consistent with the two prior songs. With a brief look at the lyrics, I can already tell that this song will be like the others -- an interesting intro and repetitive verses. I think the music is just underwhelming. This song, however, has a little more to it with a muffled intro and "beat drop" after where the song really begins. The vocal performance is lacking in my opinion. Track 4 is also boring to me. I think I would consider this album kind of slow-core and I think I have drifted from that genre and into music with more going on both vocally and rhythmically. Track 5 is their most popular song as a band. I will say it is the best song I have heard so far, but by a very small margin. I have not listened to their other music, but they have a very Evanescence-like sound and I think they could honestly really pull off some music like theirs. Track 6 is a little more vocally interesting than the other songs, and I have noticed the lyrics getting less repetitive over songs. Track 7 is still boring to me, I am not really enjoying this album so far. I am half tempted to not even finish it because I am so bored. I have no notes for track 8, 9, or 10. Track 11 is by far the best one on the album.

Zzzzzzzzz

This wasn't my cup of tea, I can hear how this influenced other bands, but this just wasn't for me.

#28 Music to sleep to 😪

Makes me want to smoke cigarettes for some reason

- I’m scared of this album tbh - Not impressed with the opener - Surprised that it’s a woman singing - it could be sweet actually has some satisfying vocals - i'm officially tapping out. only listened to half but it's just not for me.

Not bad, but also not for me. No takeaways and won't listen to this again

1 out of 5 So slow and sad

The soundtrack to the 90s most boring movie scenes.

Nah

another awful album. Tedious vocal. Was sick of it by the end.

Did not like at all. Didn’t even finish the album.

Not for me. Cool background mood music for a movie, but nothing I would listen to on purpose again.