Dummy

A full album of James Bond songs. I see the appeal, and am glad to listen, but can't picture myself wanting to listen to this routinely.

this is already 5*s to me <3 no skip album Roads, Biscuit, Wandering Star, Sour Times >>>>

Sounds cool but generally not my vibe. I love glory box though. The songs all just kinda sound the same to me and they dont stand out from one another. They kinda blend into the same sound and its kinda frustrating for my brain.

loveeee. i was listening to a bunch of fka twigs yesterday so she's on my mind already but i did think of her very much throughout a lot of these songs, and just recognizing how formative this band probably was to a lot of contemporary trip hop artists (and adjacent). such a unique way of using samples -- still feels really cool and with an understated and ambient energy, but also quite ethereal. it reminds me a lot of massive attack in that way (although i might prefer them to portishead by a smidge). even if not every song stood out to me, there isn't really a bad song on the album. Fav tracks: Sour Times; Strangers; Roads; Biscuit; Glory Box

Perfect electronic

I came into this already loving Dummy. This is an easy 5 for me. The longing in Beth's voice, the hard beats, the soundscapes. Dummy is a perfect record. Put it on when you need something sexy as a nightcap, when you're drowning in your feelings over that special someone, or just when you want to vibe the night away with some of the coolest and sexiest production ever put on wax.

Kuuntelin samalla kun kirjoitin kandia ja kirjoittaminen sujui hyvin. Sehän tarkoittaa sitä, että tää on automaattisesti 10/10. Ei vaan. Oikeesti tää oli mahtava aloitus tälle projektille. Rauhallinen albumi, joka imee itseensä erityisesti näin opiskellessa. Albumin vika biisi Glory Box oli Tiktokista tuttu… smh…

Pretty significant album with lots of good music that solidified trends in the field. I think everyone should listen to it, at least once.

What a wonderful, mesmerising work of art, the highest grade. Every time I heard Dummy it always stays and sounds fresh, everything about it is wonderful and I could not give it less than 5 stars, how would that even be possible?

I was looking forward to this album when it came up.. But it was kinda a let down.

Two exceptional tracks, and the rest are atmospheric, but not anywhere near as memorable. Is it a good album, yes, but not a great one. Three stars.

Ass. Just straight ass

Sometimes an album is cool as shit

Women. Bardzo ciekawy album. Też raczej nie w moim stylu, ale przynajmniej się słuchało. „Glory box” brzmi bardzo znajomo, a przynajmniej melodia.

Downtempo electronica with a haunting and moody vibe. It's quite different from what I normally listen to and I didn't exactly love it but I can see it's very effective at setting a mood.

Good overall, maybe a little repetitive in terms of beats and overall feel, but still a fun, James Bond esc. listen. Best tracks were Glory Box and Sour Times

4,5

Not my fav type of music but I enjoyed it

I'm more of a Massive Attack guy than I am a Portishead guy but this is still no doubt a great album. Some of the songs here do sound maybe a bit too samey at points but this is still a very good listen overall with some absolutely ridiculous highs on it. Fav Songs: Glory Box, Roads, Wandering Star, Sour Times Least Fav: Numb 8.8/10

This album is very cohesive and consistent—I’ll keep coming back to it whenever I want to transport myself to a smoky, noir-style club. 8/10

glory box, the albums last track, is the most recognizable-- but that doesn't mean it's the best one (although it is good). i loved the mixing and sound production on this record. at times, the vocals take me out of what is so enjoyable. as such, my top tracks are wandering star (that outro is bonkers) followed by sour times.

Sick album with a unique sound

Trip-hop. Interesting to hear those niche subgenres i heard about. I used to like electronic music but the more mainstream one, so its nice to see far roots. Roads, strangers, glory box were my favs Edit: its actually one of the best electronica albums out here, and after being recommended other similar albums, I found out I really like this genre, and this was the first and the best so far.

Tad disappointed, the song s I knew alteady are great but overall a bit boring

8/10

My rating 3.8. I really enjoyed this album. Nice find.

Incredibly atmospheric. Love the bold choice of the mix being almost mono.

Mellow and interesting album that didn't quite hook me. Nothing really wrong with this one but to me it needed maybe something more to make me go wow.

I new the name, and had only heard Sour Times. The music is a great chill vibe, perfect background music but not necessarily the most engaging.

Takes me to a very specific time and place: no deadlines, no dependents, candles lit, relaxed and fun. The vocals make this album a lot more engaging than the average electronic music from this era.

Nails the genre, but I am not much of a fan of the genre. So all considered four stars is pretty good.

Muzyka do r?

ONE OF THE BEST TRIP HOP ALBUMS OF ALL TIME!!! i was literally listening to this the other day on my own time, what a beautiful coincedence that this is my album of the day! i'll joyfully listen to it again, of course. dummy is a formative album for me, right alongside mezzanine by massive attack

Every time I listen to this album, I can't believe my ears. It's phenomenal. It's so groovy and emotive. There's a lot of pain and heartache throughout and it captured perfectly

1994 was hands down the best year for music ever and this is at the pinnacle of stuff released that year. So atmospheric and Beth's vocals on Roads are mesmeric.

Review - stone cold classics. Immaculate vibes. Rating - 9/10 Need to hear? YES

Another trip-hop album! And it's great. The singles are definitely the best songs, but the others are no slouches. I really enjoy this style. It feels like it has enormous potential to go in so many different directions, even though the sound is incredible specific. A fantastic debut. FOUR STARS

es un buen álbum, prefiero la primera mitad que siento q es un Radiohead con jazz, después cambia y se pone un estilo más triste más pesado, sigue bueno pero no tanto como antes

okay... great background music to me... i guess it's quite intense. i dont know, i didnt like it all that much

Forventet å like dette litt mer enn jeg gjorde, men ganske chill å ha på mens man jobber. Sterk 3.

Endra ikkje livet mitt, men heilt ok.

Feel 8.5/10: Almost Jazz but not?? Great work Length 7.5/10: It can drag at parts or I want more Musicality 9.75/10: HOLY. All I can say Flow 8/10:Good mixing between songs Lyrics 7.75/10: Wasn’t paying SUPER close attention so this section doesn’t matter Overall 9/10: Oh me oh my I loved this more than I expected

3.5 Stars

Fav songs: Roads and Glory Box

A classic

Not listened for a while and thought it may be a 4 but it’s a 5 all day long. So good.

One of my all-timers. The Roseland NYC live album is actual perfection and this is more of a 4.3/5 but I'm feeling generous.

Ohhhh nice, not quite as close to 5 stars as I remembered but 4 stars nonetheless. Tom.

This album was huge when released, I remember it was played everywhere. I still love it.

Moody and cool

I’ve always enjoyed trip hop, and this is a prime example of how it should be done. So many great songs on one album! Favourites: Roads, Glory Box, Numb, It’s a Fire, Wandering Star and Sour Times.

Para escuchar de fondo está bueno

de los mejores discos que escuche en mi vida, una referencia del triphop y la musica

Best album of its genre; easy 5/5

Probably the definitive trip-hop album for me. Just every song on this is incredible, with some really choice samples used (so much so that they're now more associated with Portishead than the original artist in my mind). But the key factor is Beth Gibbons' gorgeous, haunting voice which lends the whole album this seductive melancholy.

Zdecydowanie waży album, alczkolwiek nie jest to triphop którego zostanę fanem

this record is fascinating because it blends the organic warmth of vinyl with a chilling digital precision and i love that. The low-end management is masterful: the sub-bass synths and kick drums possess a body that will thoroughly test your speakers' response.

Nice moody background music

Exactly the type of beats I'm looking for, lovely!

Love it!

4.5 - Portishead has been a longtime fav, they embody a style of music that feels like it should be the backdrop for who I want to be. I've been obsessed with this album for a while. only not a 5/5 cause there are a couple songs I'm shmedium on. Fav Songs: Sour Times // Strangers // Glory Box

Too experimental for me

nah

True original

fine

One of my favourites! Don’t mind having to listen to this. Stand-outs - Sour Times - Roads - Glory Box

Album #105 Portishead: Dummy This is an album which I had long been aware of due to its reverence amongst music fans; however, since I’m not too big on the whole 90s trip-hop/downtempo electronic scene, I never really felt too compelled to listen to it. My first listen was pretty much like I expected; the music never did too much to become annoying; it stayed consistent in atmosphere and overall was quite enjoyable, albeit, for my tastes, it did not appear to be anything special. I do understand the great appeal of this album; it is pretty much James Bond soundtrack meets lo-fi beats to study to, however, personally, the music that compels me the most tends to strive for more than just comfort and seeks to pull emotion out from within you. Essentially, though I enjoy ‘chill’ music, I need there to be some big climactic moments in the album; that is part of the reason I love 80s sophisti-pop so much, artists like Prefab Sprout and The Blue Nile have relaxing and beautiful melodies, but also moments of triumph and explosiveness that remind the listener that they are alive. However, sometimes these moments exist, but are not immediately apparent. I had a feeling that the subtleties of ‘Dummy’ were being lost on me, and though I enjoyed the album and likely would have rated it around a 7, I felt like I owed it another listen. The second listen was ultimately more of the same, though I do pretty well enjoy every track here; I also can’t say that any of them reach ‘peak’ status. To me, this is sort of an album that you can’t really hate, so of course it will become beloved; however, it just doesn’t quite appeal to my tastes entirely. I’m not too big on the whole trend in the 90s where they were just starting to incorporate hip-hop beats and IDM into other genres; this album is supposed to be beautiful and mysterious, but then I am interrupted with record scratches out of a Sir Mix-a-Lot song. Ultimately, the positives do vastly outweigh the negatives, and I am sure I will come to appreciate this album more, so I am still going to give it quite a favourable rating; however, I cannot help but feel that it is a touch overrated. Best Songs: Glory Box, Roads, It’s A Fire Worst Song: Pedestal Score out of 10: 7.5

Sexy times

Spooky vibes kinda halloweeny

Zzzzzz

Me trae muchas vibes de bjork pero a la vez tiene sonidos hiphopperos que me descolocan. No me encanta pero no me disgusta. Se nota que son britanicos

6/10 not that big of a fan. The lyrics are alright i just dont like the genre

No standout tracks except maybe the first one. Mysterons was really weird and atmospheric, which I enjoyed. The entire album feels like I'm in a hospital with a dying acquaintance. Not really a fan of Beth Gibbon's voice paired with the music. It's not that she has a bad voice, but with a different singer, I think the music would hit harder. Her voice (to me) leans smoother and soulful in a way. Also, I loved the strings on Roads. A truer rating would be more like 2.5. Pretty middle of the road for my taste.

I want to like this album. But just does not hit for me. I like Glory Box, but the rest of the songs are very monotone and don’t do a lot for me. I have a similar experience as another reviewer where I’ll revisit this album every couple of years or so because I’ve heard how good and influential it is. But I find myself not finding anything that makes it amazing.

Amazing

the Joni Mitchell’s Blue of trip-hop

This was cool! It's fun to hear this in light of how ubiquitous this genre has become in 2025. I feel like any of these songs could be in one of those popular Youtube studying playlists. I especially liked Sour Times and Wandering Star. My only complaint is the slowness of so many of these songs. I wanted just a bit more propulsive percussion, but maybe that's the sound they were going for.

Solid trip hop album!

такий розслаблюючий альбом, дуже приємне звучання та вокал

Was very 90’s. Good but a Serrano mood is needed.

Glory Box, I guess that's all we need to say on this one right? I have never really given Portishead my attention but this album has a vibe. Beth Gibbons voice is haunting and I love it.

Really amazing album, pretty unique

The album was ok. Some tracks were decent, very relaxing . 2.5 stars

Very soothing, very moody. An overall banger!

Overrated

Imho, this is a masterpiece, an album against which so many others need to measured. A head y blend of technology, aura and lyrics which draw you in. Outstanding. 5 doesn't do it justice

I had never heard of Portishead before. Definitely not the music I would usually have thrown on, but it wasn't bad. It's honestly pretty easy to listen to in the background.

It’s like James Bond music.

Fairly pleasant, but there’s little here.

Simple production but effortlessly sexy!

Dang. Still sounds great. A couple tracks are meh, but when this album is strong it’s really strong.

Mysterious and a little sexy. Fun stuff that was a big deal back in college.

I guess I’m a Portishead fan.

It's unreal. The drama, the cinematic composition, the angst and the contradiction of vulnerability and force. Crazy good, every track is a gut wrenching work of art.

тупо бомба

8/10 A standout album of the 90s. Inventive and interesting. I just don't quite love it - a bit too dark for me with

sexiest album EVER

Very vibey—enjoying this more than I expected. first song was the one i liked the most

I knew Glory Box going into this. An alright record. It's a cohesive experience, just not one I would actively seek out very often.

whimsical but also church gospel? but also dark?

This is every woman my age’s favorite record, and justifiably so! The very pinnacle of the trip-hop genre.

Vibe sex music, des rythmes sensuels, un peu à la Dido par moments, ça change

Je connaissais déjà un peu Glory box fait parti de mes chansons pref C’est un style vraiment particulier, un peu expérimental à la massive attack. J’ai écouté pour courir , c’est pas l’idéal j’avoue Voix et instru top !

Immense banger cet album surtout Glory Box que j'avais redécouvert dans American Horror Story

:)

Not my fave, especially during a workout. 90’s grunge pop, soft rock. I can see how people would be into this tho.

Amazing

Nice house chill electric 90s album

Love it! revolutionary and sentimental

Not necessarily my favorite atmosphere, but it works and is maintained here very well. The beats are very catchy. The vocals are just phenomenal. This album too laid back for me, but I’ll defines relisten to it some time in the future because there’s a high chance it will grow on me.

I wish I’d loved the other songs as much as I love Glorybox, but still a great album.

Not that bad. Replay maybe

Ok

Holy shit. This is epic. Its cinematic. Depth defying. Dense. Artistic. Dark. Well added nuanced sounds in all the right places. I wasn't incredibly keen on Third (also on this list) but this debut album is like if Parliament Funkadelic and Sade had a baby. I'm frequently going to come back to this and beefen up my thoughts. But i like this alot. I'm gonna give it 5 stars on one listen and not look back.

Better than Third. There's some cool bass. My favourites were Roads and Glory Box.

I am being critical

very nice

Most enjoyable. There were several songs I really liked, including Sour Times, Numb, Glory Box. With that many hits, I am sure the rest of the album is worth becoming familiar with. I will definitely jam this one again.

Not a huge fan of this style of music, but it makes for good background music.

I like this these songs are pretty good but I don’t know when I would ever listen to this again

A classic of trip-hop. Some real gems, but also some filler that flatten the overall impact. The vibe is great for ambiance but lacks the diversity needed for focused listening. For a debut album it shows a fully formed band that knows exactly why they wanted to create. Beth Gibbons vocals could not be more perfect, an instrument of longing, sadness and hope.

sour times fue sampleada por el chojin, amigos y amigas, amigoos y amigas. parece bastante experimental, buenos ritmos, pero un poco raruno todo, muchas canciones sampleables, no es mi estilo, pero no esta mal, 3/5

Discazo de trip hop

People really will say just any old thing is one of the 1001 best albums of all time, won't they?

she dummy on my head til i portis

I enjoyed each song individually as a cool background song, but 48 minutes of it straight is too much for me.

Super great ambient, moody without being a downer.

Awesome album. The masterpieces on this make up for the very few flailing moments

This was unlike anything I had heard before when it came out.

I like the lady's voice, mysterons very mysterious

I do quite like this little bit of me this is but theres just not enough going on i feel too underestimated i need 5 pads with lady gaga pink panther maybe it abit of thr raye and the amy and the breaking dishes

pretty okay

Wonderful more electronic. Top 100 Apple Music album so I have higher hopes. Beat on mysterons is really cool, bs vocals. Beat and vocals are great on sour times. This is a really well made song. Love the guitar. Simple but works so well. Great bass line. Not a fan of the beginning of strangers but it picks up as the song goes on. I like the beat a lot, vocals never really get there. It could be sweet is pretty forgettable all around. However I do appreciate the change in pace. Production on wandering star is so sick. Good songwriting too. It’s a fire is pretty good too. The production is really good, vocals leave a little to be desired. That’s a common theme. Numb is cool. Interesting sounds but they mostly work. Good writing. Roads is very 90s. Good not great song. The horns with that beat on pedestal is sick. Great song. No joy is forgettable. Glory box is really really cool. Love the guitar. Great production as always. Better songwriting in this one. Better than my expectations. A lot of really well made songs. Good to great album. 3.4 stars.

Not my jam but easy listen

Classic Pop

So good, so so good I need to spend more time with it, as its so so good Its a classic. Love it

Good

Not really my jam

Glory Box

Not terrible by any means, just way too soft and mellow for my taste, as is with most trip hop stuff, they lean too much into the lo-fi side of things

This album is pure vibes.

This was ok. I remember when they surfaced and lots of folk unnecessarily creaming over them. There were some good moments, but nothing that would stick with me if I’m honest. Listening to it, I constantly wanted them to go deeper and stretch out more but they never did. Resulting in a very safe and ultimately unimpressive experience.

First Listen: Dec 12 2023 some of the best trip-hop ever. so smooth and dark I lovee it. it could be sweet has been repeat ever since i first heard it

Hard to judge this fairly when I associate it with car ads. The music is fine, cool vibe but not something I would seek out. 2.5/5. Raising to 3.

Solid album, liked it a lot more then I thought i was going to

Exceptional, moody, and unique.

nah i wrote a bunch of other stuff but this was great, middle lost me a little but ultimately you gotta appreciate anything this Bronze adjacent.

Cool girl shit. Obsessed with Wikipedia calling their style as reminiscent of spy films, also ending on Glory Box which I’ve heard many times but as usual without name or artist context was a delight. Enjoyed this one and hope Arkady did too!

such a good sound!! most of the songs didn’t stand out too much individually but enjoyed listening to it overall I knew and loved Glory Box and Sour Times already so they were great bookends to the album

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Didn't enjoy this as much the second time around. I'm not a big fan of trip hop so its a little too long to keep my interest

Was really surprised by this! It aged well

Somewhat painful to get through honestly.

i hate this album it's ass

Monotone.

I end up listening to trip hop by accident. When I'm in a relaxing kind of mood, I start a streaming station based on Nightmares on Wax or something, and Portishead will invariably sprinkled liberally through a station like that. Every time a song stands out in a "who's this?" sort of way, I check my phone to see the artist, and probably half the time it's Portishead. I think "I need to listen to them more." I don't know why, but I never have sought them out. I'm glad they showed up for me today. ⭐⭐⭐.75

Sigo sin saber lo que es un trip hop pero me ha gustado bastante

Was going to give it 4 stars because it's been a while since I heard this album, but nope, it's definitely worth the 5 it deserves.

I listened to 2 songs and i dont like it

A good album carried by brilliant vocals. An album that defined a certain era and sound, but just not a genre I enjoy all that much. The production is on the sillier side of unique, with lots of keyboard sound effects thrown in, but it all sounds sharp and crisp. A couple of big hits, but a lot of filler. Many of the songs just plod along at the same pace, with not enough of a dynamic shift to ramp up excitement. All that being said, the vocals are, once again, incredible; powerful, unique, recogniseable.

Cool sound but repetitive.

3.5

5 Оказывается я знаю Wondering star из этого альбома, мне очень нравится инструментал здесь, очень спокойная музыка, однозначно ознакомлюсь с другими альбомами этого коллектива,

Some of the best trip hop out there.

I mean I guess it was ok, I dunno

Not a fan of this at all.

Zone out a fair bit. It's meh

Sounded quite interesting, more so than I was expecting. Also!! When it got to Strangers, the first few seconds sounded familiar and it's because it was sampled by Larry Fisherman to make Stuck In My Ways for Vince Staples. I thought it was cool that I caught that. Definitely great for background music more than anything else.

Not the biggest fan

Carino, ma niente di eccezionale

Vahvat ysärivibat, ei voi erehtyä, miltä vuosikymmeneltä tai mistä päin maailmaa yhtye on. Nostalgiaa. Ei ole mun genreäni joten albumin hienous ei aukea. Varmasti ollut genressään ihan uudenlaista tai jopa luonut uutta genreä mutta ei ole mun juttuni kuin korkeintaan biisi silloin, toinen tällöin. Ei kuitenkaan silmitöntä kuraa vaan ihan oikeaa musiikkia joten 2/5.

This album is probably like "Velvet Underground and Nico" in terms of its influence on other artists and bands. The trip-hop sound, though short lived, had an outsize influence felt to this day. Though I like their album "Third" better, this is a fantastic debut album with all-time great songs like "Sour Times," "Roads," and "Glory Box." I also like the ominous and creepy sounds of "Biscuit" with its slowed down vocals. That one is a harbinger to the dread and haunted sounds of "Third." Beth Gibbons vocals are so good here and Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley lay down perfect backdrops to them.

Great headphones album. Adopts a lot of hip hop beats and styling without ever being cringy about it. Favorite track is Wandering Star, I love that eerie, prayer-like chorus. Hypnotic bass and vocals. A very dark record, probably best listened to late at night.

Still sounding fresh

As far as great Trip Hop albums go this sits at the top of the mountain. Hauntingly eerie and yet beautiful every song crafted with the weight of a thousand metal balloons. I think what I love about this album is it’s universally loved and revered. Metal heads, rave kids and folkies alike all have heart for this album and that’s what keeps it alive today.

Aggressively not for me! DNF. but I tried.

Interesting musically and haunting lyrics.

Immaculate piece of music. It would be wrong not to mention how good “Its a fire” is. Probably a top 10 song of all time. Feels a lot like a hip hop album as well. 4 stars. Was this album better than yesterday’s album, In Rainbows by Radiohead? No. Edit: This is 5 stars and 1000x better than every Radiohead album combined

1994 I was in Bristol for university and I remember some of these tunes in this album It is great listening to it even today. Depressing a little bit but trippy. It started the trip hop genre at the time.

literal me sentí así al escuchar un tema atrás de otro: 🌌☄️🌠✨

Super interesting and fantastic production. Will definitely return to this album in the future but it doesn’t quite reach the 5 level.

I missed trip hop the first time around and I’m loving these albums as they come up

I had never heard of Portishead before and was intrigued so spent a little while on Wikipedia whilst listening to this album. I also partly listened to it whilst on a walk. Perhaps the fact I split listening to the album into two reveals quite a lot. At first, I enjoyed it, with the opening tracks as a novelty for a fresh, dynamic sound. However, it soon grew rather repetitive and I found myself not as entranced. I can definitely see why people enjoy this though, the vintage-y sound and Beth Gibbons’ unconventional voice. Rating: 3.

Au début j’étais pas trop chaud mais ça va y’a quelques sons qui peuvent être bien

goes DUMMY harf

I don't need to relisten to this to know it's a straight 5 but I'm gonna relisten to it anyway.

Never heard this I don't think - I'm familiar with Geoff Barrow via his solo work (absolutely check out DROKK) and Beak so I think I had a bit of an idea what to expect. But maybe I didn't. I can see why this is described as a sexy record. I don't know if I would describe it as such but I can see it. Definitely a vibe. It's ok.

Another band I've heard of but didn't know any of their songs. I'm glad this was on this list, as it gave me a reason to listen through an album that I likely wouldn't have otherwise. It's a really cool vibe, kind of like if electronic and R&B had a baby. Will be listening through again!

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.

Still sounds good all these years later!

Me gustó mucho, tiene una vibra media urbana y tech, la voz de la cantante me pareció diferente e interesante casi como hablado, muy inspirador para probar otros estilos de canto.

sexy

Boring

Nono me encantó, Glory box (me hace acordar a spencee de ppl) ya la había escuchado en tik tok, la parte viral. Me encanta como combina la elegancia, el grunge, genera una atmósfera impresionante. Creo que es trip-hop, tiene una escencia oscura y melancólica que te bajonea sinceramente. Es algo diferente de lo q sueño escuchar. 10/10

Le doy 8/10 for the vibes La primera mitad pense que tenian un buen sound pero sonaba medio repetitivo so i was not feeling it tanto Segunda mitad really picked up Numb y Roads me gustaron mucho y obvio Glory Box cause that guitar can weep

I don't like their style. Too obscure, but above all too industrial.

Sound quality isn't honestly that great, unless my ears aren't working. Album cover goes hard and fits the vibes. Some of the sounds just sound like banging on a pot with a wooden spoon favs: It could be sweet- sexy beat, mario game vibes

It's 1994, but also it's sort of the future, 3am. I'm in an anonymous bar in an anonymous metropolis. I'm investigating a murder, possibly committed by a cyborg. My contact hasn't shown up, so I wait, a drink of stale whiskey in my hand. I keep one eye on the door and the other on the stage, where, through the cigarette smoke, this band is playing. Portis-something. Kids these days. Man, the world these days. The crime I'm investigating - I've been at it too long. Awful stuff. I can't get my head straight. The whiskey makes my head swim, almost psychedelic, like those old hippies were talking about down in Badgertown. But I realize with a start that it isn't the drink affecting me, but the music. What is this? Some new drug the Lab-men have cooked up? I look around. Others are similarly entranced. Staring, their eyes all-but swirling like some cartoon character. Portishead, I remember. All one word, a word with no meaning as far as I know. I'll check the archives, if I remember. I glance up. My contact has arrived. I'm almost disappointed as I tear my attention away from this band, this beguiling singer. But I'm on the clock. I nod and he sits and we get down to business.

Dummy no se escucha, se habita. Ideal para cuando el mundo exterior está muy ruidoso.

One of the bases of trip-hop, love it.

Sublime, no fue first listening ever pero nunca me quejaría de escucharlo. MC: Glory Box

Esta bien cotorro

Eletronic, partly trip-hop. I like the voice of the singer, though this music is not really to my taste

I love the calmness of the songs here, though I've listened only a half of them

Creates a very specific mood very effectively. I like the instrumentals more than the vocals.

It is kinda dummy...

this would be the soundtrack to a really sad party - that said it is good music

Loved it! It sounds like an underscore for a scene where someone is walking through a smoky bar.

Great

Had never really listened to Portishead, but really enjoyed it and include some songs on a new playlist I am building

Smexy I like it

An interesting concept mixing hip hop beats with a more classic singing style. It worked for some of the songs but not for all of them.

Positively surprised. I want to know more about the band, I liked it very much. Lots of interesting songs.

Very good weird. Melodic and well produced. Had heard of Portishead but never heard Portishead. Not a bad performance.

Better than I expected for Portishead.

Very smelly bit of album, making me remember why I stopped this

Mysterons is one of the best opening tracks of all time. It's as though you've walked into an eerie shisha lounge, and a little DJ freak with a backpack and bifocals is playing very precise break beats while a sexy alien croons and permeates the room with indigo smoke. It only gets better with Sour Times. It's so desperate and slick, like the sad sister of Edwyn Collin's Girl Like You. Strangers oddly sounds like a Hawaiian guitar standard, mixed with a 1930s wartime ballad that's trying not to slip into the Matrix. That fidgeting guitar riff that comes and goes on It's A Fire is ludicrously effective. Roads almost sounds like the soundtrack to a 1990s Cadbury's Flake advert, if the woman finished eating the Flake, slipped off her silk gown and then gently killed herself in a creamy bathtub. I don't have any words to describe how good Glory Box is, it's a perfect song. It's deft, orchestral, sincere and the music is all expertly balanced. I remember it being absolutely rinsed in adverts and TV when the album came out, which is irritating because that often serves to undermine just how good a composition can be. I'm not mad keen on Bristol trip hop bedfellows Massive Attack, Roni Size or Tricky, but Portishead are in a league of their own, and this album is their defining moment. Hats off to their sulky masterpiece, and to Beth Gibbons, the gaunt human theremin.

Ikkje så fan

Chill, moody, polished music with some dark depths. Worth re-listening.

This was a strange but very wonderful listen. I really enjoyed it, especially because I wore headphones for the entire album. There were so many subtle part that I felt would’ve went unheard in a car.

Mysterons - 4.5/5 Sour Times - 5/5 Strangers - 4.5/5 It Could Be Sweet - 4/5 Wandering Star - 4.5/5 Numb - 4/5 Roads - 4/5 Pedestal - 4/5 Biscuit - 4/5 Glory Box - 4.5/5 I've never really been exposed to trip hop outside of that one Massive Attack song as the opener to House, but this is a complete package very ahead of its time. The whole structure loopy guitar riffs, mellow samples, and the singer's intimate voice make this the quintessential trip hop album (although Mezzanine should also be on this list as it is the other quintessential trip hop album). Overall: 5/5 Favorites: Sour Times, Wandering Star, Glory Box

Enjoyed this more than I expected. Very eerie and moody, but it fits a time and place. Glory Box is so good.

Really good. The songs just immediately grab my attention and stand out. I already had a song from the album liked, but I don't remember doing it. Absolutely an album I would listen to again.

Solid album.

Not for me sorry 2.5/5

Really good. Great vocals, excellent production, impressive.

Good, but I don’t hear the greatness often attributed to it.

low 5

Cmon now! Let's go!! I fucking love this album so much!! Been a while since I've heard it all the way from start to finish though. This will be nice. But yeah 5 big stars hands down!

Dummy has long been a favorite of mine, and honestly, “Glory Box” alone is enough to make it a five-star album. The album is built on low, sinking beats, looping, uneasy guitar lines, and Beth Gibbons’ fragile, intimate voice. Her vocals blend with the smoky, slightly distorted guitar in a way that feels both vulnerable and controlled.

# Album Name: Dummy # Artist: Portishead # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: What a banger of an album. Love the mood, the vibe and the vocals of this record. The quality of the production, engineering and the band are top draw. # Top Tunes: Its a fire / Mysterons / sour times / numb / roads / biscuit / glory box # Would I listen to it again? Yes

This album blew my mind when it came out. Portishead had a secret weapon named Beth Gibbons that other trip hop bands didn't have.

Old favourite

very moody i liked it! glory box defo stands out to me as the best one, but would have to listen more thoroughly to know what i think about the other ones 🧘🏻‍♀️

Goated album

Not a fan

The music and its atmosphere is sensational, i think they nail the intent; i feel however, I am not in the headspace for the thematic it proposes, meaning it didn't land as it could've. I appreciate faster songs much more than slow ones, and while I liked it, but I wouldn't listen to it again until a long time has passed, nor would i go out of my way to do so.

This is the kind of album you simply sit down and enjoy. What a beauty.

massive attack vibesssss

I listened to this at work and was surprised at how productive I was. Cool blend of styles but I could see this getting a little monotonous pretty quickly. Glory box though.

At times a bit repetitive, but overall a very solid album

Dark slow lyrically not my cup of tea currently, struggled to get through it

Oh yeahhhhh new genre unlocked for me

This is a great album, just the right level of chill

Good album I like Portishead

Atmospheric pop

Was just very solid. Sad. If this was something to get (other than vibes), I didn't really get it. My friend James likes this album a lot.

Not a big fan. Didn’t really like any song from the album. Except the last one. Glory box is a fucking banger and will never die.

Long on my list of favourite ever albums, so this is probably one of the easiest 5's I will ever give on this project. I recognise there is a fair bit of bias and previous experience going into this, but I just absolutely love this album. Listening back now also provides that additional nostalgia of hearing this back in my youth, further cementing that top top rating.

A milestone back in 1994, and still spectacular to listen to today.

Cohesive but each song stands alone. Love the samples and effects mixed with smooth instrumentals

Nighttime vibes to perfection

Liked a lot but not sure it’s one I’ll go back to regularly

I fuck with this heavy. Standouts are Mysterons, It's a Fire, and Glory Box. It gives me this X-Files vibe, dark 90s, grimy and spooky but also very beautiful, hauntingly so. Definitely will listen to this again.

Ok, este es de mis ÁLBUMES FAVORITOS DE TODOS LOS TIEMPOS. Me gustó encontrarlo acá, aunque era bastante obvio que estaría. La voz demasiado sensual, emocional y triste se mezcla con los sonidos envolventes y beats, es un manjar auditivo!!!!!

This album creates a space that everybody wants to visit.

This was truly a great experience. I saw electronic and thought the worst but I immediately changed my mind. Trip hop is such a good way to describe this album.

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.

finally something different and also v groovy

There are a few hits on this album that I love, but most of the rest of this album didn’t really do it for me.

easy listening, love the theramin and overall dark sound

VERY good experience, didn't expect I'd like it so much!

I’ve been meaning to listen to this album since it came out. It did not disappoint.

Mid

Atmospheric

Good album, just not my favorite trip hop lane. I usually enjoy more groove + texture heavy stuff as opposed to vocal heavy, but I get why this is so respected

incredible vibes for seems like such a simple composition. would be a great soundtrack if they ever make a metroid movie.

I haven't listened to this in the context of the list yet, but I've heard Dummy enough to know how I feel about it.

8/10

Lofi's origin story. Mellow background music. Glory Box is a song you know but don't know you know.

Vibey, really got into the zone with this one in the background.

I listened to Portishead quite a bit in college, and always preferred the second album to this one. I haven’t listened to either album all the way through in probably 25 years, but I’ll have to go back and give that second album a listen there’s no freaking way it’s better than this one.

Love the trip hop drifty tones of Portishead. Like wading through light multicoloured treacle. Not music for a low mood though.

Very different, was a fan of this but couldn’t listen to too much

One of my all time favorites Absolute masterpiece

a classic. Not all is great, but it's a record with a unique sound.

This album was so chill, I liked it! Had a good beat going throughout and really enjoyed Glory Box!

Portishead – Dummy On Day 46, Dummy earns a strong 4/5. It’s a great listen that provides the kind of atmosphere and production quality I’ve been looking for. While the vocals were decent and fit the mood well, they didn't quite push the album into that perfect 5-star territory. The real highlights for me were Mysterons, Roads, and Glory Box, all of which showed a high level of technical chemistry. It’s a solid, moody record that definitely has more replay value than the recent LPs on the list.

Yeah... very cool. I liked this one.

Big fan of whatever this is.. genuinely feel like I am in an illegal speakesy listening to this album.. Downloaded the album, and can not wait to listen to it in a rainy car ride... "Strangers" and "Roads" have my heart from this album.. Couldn't have asked for a better atmosphere while listening to "Roads" for the first time, on a walk, the weather is gloomy, and as the musics crescendos the wind picks up.. absolute cinema!

A very fun album to listen to, I don’t see the trip hop connection but for me I see it more as trip pop with the instruments and the vocal delivery.

I always appreciate an artist who went out of their way to try new things. There’s something deeply compelling, hypnotic even, about the deliberately lo-fi beats paired with Gibbons’ ethereal-yet-clear vocals. Though I don't think this will enter my regular rotation, I'm glad to have listened to it, and I think it definitely deserves a place on this list.

Certified unskippable. Foundational to trip hop. Intrinsically metaphysical.

I kind of enjoyed this. Not something I would normally listen to, sounds like music that would be in a movie, but I couldn’t tell you where in the movies soundtrack. The singer has a beautiful voice and seems like a fun time.

God, what a great album. Not a bad track on it. Beth Gibbons voice is shy and light, but still versatile and often heartbreaking, and the vibe of the music is just perfectly cool and hip...in that 90s way, yes, but also with a nostalgic sense, too. Songs meant to be in fictional Bond movies.

It’s fine but also no. In the 90s when I was at a party or a club that played this music the vibe was always gross. Everyone in their own world instead of being together.

Fantastic album

10/10 вайбовый альбом

Album foda, conceito, estetica e um trip hop incrivel, foda pra um caralhoo, vou escutar muito 9/10

The moodiness of this matches perfectly with Beth Gibbons vocals. Trip hop had a pretty good moment through the 90’s/early 00’s and Portishead were at the forefront of it. A good album start to finish, glory box is the perfect closer

ШИКАРНО таинственный вайб + вокал, очень понравилось ✅biscuit, glory box легендарная, на mysterons уровень мистики просто зашкалил, шедевр, roads ahhhhh начало невероятное, дальше также.

alright

1/31/26: Really quite enjoyed this. 7/10

One of my all time favs. Always a pleasure to listen 4.5/5

Great trip hop album

This was solid. A bit unique and mysterious. Good vocals. I enjoyed it.

I wouldn’t mind listening to this album again, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to it. Definitely, not my thing. Favorite Songs: It’s A Fire - I like the lyrics of this song, it ends nice with the organ as well. Glory Box - Sensual, great guitar in this one.

Been a fan for years. Love every track on this album

Cery chill and worth a listen

Not for me; felt like the same song the whole album