Dummy

Sounds a bit of it’s time so deducting a point for that. Glory box is one of the best songs of the 90s and unlike almost anything else (of the time or on this record). Loved this record at the time and still do.

This list is the first time I’ve listened to this much of this type of music. I’ve never understood what‘s appealing about it. It seems to be largely about the atmosphere, but I know way more atmospheric albums that aren’t so spacey and boring. Like the other Portishead album on the list, Beth Gibbons is the highlight. 2/5

Couldn't tell ya why but this hit perfectly. What an album.

This album is fuckin' cool.

Wat een fantastisch album zeg

Dit is gewoon echt iconisch. Sicke sound die niet zo nagemaakt is

Ik kan niks bedenken dat zo klinkt als dit. Een pareltje van een album

Misschien mijn favoriet op deze lijst tot nu toe. Dummy is zo uniek. Er is niets wat klinkt als Dummy en er is weinig wat zo goed klinkt als Dummy. Onwerkelijk album.

trip top love. I listened to this before.

The production on this album goes so hard for no reason. The vocals feel so out of place. All of these songs sound like they would be in a weird dystopian tv show or something. I don’t know what mood to be in to listen to this but I did enjoy the experience of the album.

Man do I love this album - if I could give more than 5 stars, I would.

One of my all-time favourite albums. A unique blend of electronic soul, jazz, and breaks. Smooth, sultry, and delicious. I never tire of this album.

Hauntingly well produced. Has a very rich yet minimalist sound. Weird and experimental, yet still quite pleasant to listen to. A very nice surprise. 4/5.

good instrumentals and prduction, unfortunatley really poor vocals.

okk

Outstanding production, interesting sound, well worth a listen

Not many albums come along that completely redefine an already existing genre, but Portishead's Dummy is definitely one of them. Trip-Hop had been going on for a couple of years in 1994, but back then its Hip-Hop influence was more pronounced, with actual rapping being a prominent feature. Enter Portishead, and that whole idea went out the window. Moodier and darker than their peers, influenced by film noir soundtracks and 60's jazz and soul, the only real trace of Hip-Hop is in its characteristic slowed-down breakbeats, and but the biggest different is of course the vocals. Beth Gibbons' doomed femme fatale delivery truly evokes the smokey bar singer from film noir, balancing vulnerability and strength like no other. The trio wastes no time introducing the listener to their sound. "Mysterons" opens the record in a dreamlike fashion, an eerie but enticing dream, while "Sour Times" follows and serves as the album's spy-music manifesto. From then on, a consistently dark mood is mantained that never becomes dull or overstays its welcome. Record scratches and sampling abound. The various vocals samples feel like calls from a different plain, contributing to the album's overall dreamy quality, like the "I'll never fall in love again"'s on "Biscuit". We also get softer moments in "It Could Be Sweet" or "It's a Fire" weaved with darker ones like "Strangers" and its gut-punch beat. The closer "Glory Box", with its iconic Isaac Hayes sample, fades in and out as a final dream sequence just before morning. Suffice to say, plenty of imitators tried to jump on the success of this album and I'd say pretty much all of them missed what made it special in the first place. A lot of them mostly stuck with overlaying Trip-Hop beats with coffee shop pop soul and called it a day. There were some good ones, sure, but it felt more like a pastische of 60's lounge and easy listening rather than anything new and exciting. Portishead themselves could have been incredibly successful doing just that too, but after their 1997 self-titled follow-up, which expanded on the debut's sound, they disappeared only to re-emerge 11 years later with a much different and challanging sound. I have a deep personal attachment to this album. My parents got very into Trip-Hop in the 90's when I was a kid, and this album was played a lot at the time. I can still picture our backyard in my head whenever the opening chords of the album's centerpiece "Roads" come on. It's all very nostalgic to me. And no matter how many times I heard it, the effect still remains. I simply cannot overstate how important and influential this album was to my music taste and love of music in general. Key tracks: Mysterons Sour Times Strangers Wandering Star It's a Fire Numb Roads Biscuit Glory Box

3*

This album felt as though it was lacking overall. Some songs were great, while most were either missing a little something, or were just bad. The singer has a beautiful voice, but on some songs, I kept waiting for her to really give us something, and she never did. This was the same feeling for some of the music on some of the tracks.. Again, just missing something. I do feel like a hear vibes/samples from current day music that were more than likely inspired by this album. I would say overall I give this album a 3. I wouldn't listen to the entire album again, but possibly a few of the tracks.

I fuckin love this album, somehow it's both seductive and slightly unsettling or menacing at the same time. A trip hop noir masterclass. To me it just works perfectly with Beth Gibbon's beautiful sparse vocals, scratches and samples from Geoff Barrow and minimalist guitar from Adrian Utley. They really captured something special with this album, which their other albums didn't quite reach. 5 stars !

7/10 - caught me by surprise, a very good album, soft electronic mixed with indie vocals

cool cool cool

Make out music from senior year. Good times.

this was very meh but also i had a headache all day so i appreciate that this one was very chill

Something I wouldn’t regularly listen to, but Portishead certainly has a downbeat vibe that I can kind of groove with

*1994. *I liked this better than the other Portishead album, but still not my favorite style. RATING - 6.5/10

Don't love it, don't hate it. I can see what they were going for but it's not for me. Made me sleepy.

Great album to work to. Cool beats, very ambient and a little weird. I found myself marveling at how each song was pieced together, sampling is such an art and takes so much time. This collection of samples and vocals was cool as hell. Favorite tracks: Strangers Glory Box

Give Me A Reason To Love You 1001 Albums Generator 273 (4/20/2026) Dummy is the debut album by trip hop group Portishead, and it is a fantastic album. On previous listen, I had given this a 4/5, but these listens allowed me to really appreciate the atmosphere that Portishead were able to create here. Every song is washed out in this reverb and there are constantly filters and it just kind of ends up sounding like alien music. I never really appreciated how psychedelic this album is, especially the cool organ sounds that are on plenty of the songs. And while this album is the most essential trip hop album of all time, there are also hints of turntablism, jazz and rock throughout. The only song I don't really like is It Could Be Sweet. The song lengths also tend to be long but I don't think that it harms the album as a whole, although it could make it feel like it drags a bit. 4.5/5, rounded up to a 5! Favs: Mysterons Roads Glory Box Least Fav: It Could Be Sweet

This is a good album. Catchy, simple and sophisticated in terms of rhythm and sound design, lyricism and emotional impact. Loved it in fact.

Portishead always no notes… the live from rosewood is one of my fave vinyls that I own

Mysterons - holy guacamole i love the instrumental, the vocals err a little too far on the side of doomer/gloomer music for me, but great sounds overall. Sour Times - more yummy ear tinglers "nobody loves me, it's true, not like you do". Strangers - very buzzy, saw synthy at start, calms down ~30 secs in; comes back in @ ~1:15, love the beeping mm. It Could Be Sweet - bouncy stuff in the bakground is sexc. Wandering Star - scratches back n forth are hot, starting to appreciate it more as a production album than an album w crazy vocals (not that vocalist isn't talented, she mosdef is) or lyrics. It's a Fire - delicious organs (s?) in the back, pretty song Numb - okay now i wanna listen to something else but i think that might just be my brain, this song was still more than listenable. Roads - dramatic / climatic / ending sorta music. Pedestal - Likely much better on a second listen, still immaculate production, it's just starting to feel like an analysis assignment. Biscuit - this one woke me back up, we're so back; also just thinking about how "dummy" is such a good title. Glory Box - mmm. overall a very good album, excels in production quality and experimentation imo.

Pretty fantastic production and concept, felt that all sounded similar.

me gusta la electronica ahora

Do you want to have some serious sexual memories? Go for it, Dummy, Biscuit and Roads are very good for this. Otherwise, it's a really meh album

好みではない。好みではないが、特異な作品であることは分かる。平面的で古く色褪せたような音響空間だ。かなり丁寧に設計されていることが伺える。ただ、あまり私の好みの演出の方向性ではないんだろうな。平面的で単調なのが。 解説↓ おそらく **Portishead の『Dummy』** のことですね。 これは単に「名盤です」で済む作品ではなく、**1990年前後の英国クラブ文化、ブリストルの都市的な混成感覚、ヒップホップ的なサンプリング美学、そして“歌もの”としての陰鬱な感情表現**が、一つの臨界点で結晶したアルバムです。1994年8月22日に発売され、翌1995年には Mercury Prize を受賞しました。のちに「trip-hop」を代表する作品として扱われるようになります。 ([ウィキペディア][1]) 音楽史の流れで見ると、まず前提にあるのは **1980年代末から1990年代初頭の英国クラブ文化の変質** です。ダンス・ミュージックは本来フロアで身体を動かすためのものですが、Massive Attack などブリストル勢は、そこから速度を落とし、ダブ、ソウル、ヒップホップ、レゲエの感覚を混ぜて、「踊るため」よりむしろ「浸るため」の音楽を作り始めました。Britannica も trip-hop を、こうした遅いテンポとブリストル文脈の中で説明しており、1994年から95年にかけて Tricky と Portishead によってこの語が広く定着したと述べています。 ([Encyclopedia Britannica][2]) その中で『Dummy』が特別なのは、**Massive Attack 的な“ダウンテンポ化したクラブ音楽”を引き継ぎながら、そこへ映画音楽的な演出と、極端に私的で冷えた感情を持ち込んだ**ことです。Geoff Barrow は Massive Attack 周辺で制作経験を積んでおり、その系譜は明白ですが、『Dummy』は単なる派生ではありません。Pitchfork が指摘するように、この作品はスパイ映画ふうのギター、古いサウンドトラックの気配、スクラッチやブレイクビーツ、そして Beth Gibbons の声を、既存ジャンルへの忠誠ではなく**ひとつの“ムード”への忠誠**として統合しています。 ([Pitchfork][3]) ここで重要なのは、『Dummy』がしばしば「サンプルをうまく使った退廃的エレクトロ」みたいに雑に理解されがちなのに対し、実際には **“サンプルっぽく聞こえるものまで自作してから再サンプリングする”** という、かなりねじれた方法論を取っていたことです。Pitchfork によれば、Barrow と Adrian Utley はスタジオで60年代風の素材を自分たちで作り、それを24トラックに録音し、さらにサンプラーやダブプレート経由で加工していました。つまり『Dummy』は、過去のレコードを引用するだけの作品ではなく、**「記憶の中の過去」を人工的に捏造したアルバム**です。ここが、後続の模倣作と本作を分ける大きな境目です。 ([Pitchfork][3]) 音楽史的にもう一段掘ると、『Dummy』は **ヒップホップの技法を、ラップ中心ではなく“音色と空気の作曲法”として転用した** 作品でもあります。ヒップホップ由来のブレイクビート、スクラッチ、ループは入っているのに、前面に出るのはMCではなく、Beth Gibbons のひび割れたような歌声です。Britannica は Portishead を、ドラムループやサンプルと cabaret-style vocals を融合させたグループとして説明していますが、まさにこの点が重要です。黒人音楽由来のビート感覚と、白人的・英国的な退廃、さらにジャズや映画音楽の陰影が接続されたことで、『Dummy』はクラブとロックのあいだに橋を架けました。 ([Encyclopedia Britannica][4]) だからこの作品は、単に trip-hop の代表作というだけでなく、**「ダンス音楽は享楽的であるべき」「ロックは生演奏中心であるべき」「ポップは感情を直接表出すべき」といった1990年代当時のジャンル観をずらした** のです。『Dummy』の成功によって、ダンス寄りの制作手法でもオルタナティヴ・ロックの聴衆に届くこと、逆に“歌もの”でもクラブ文脈から語れることがはっきり示されました。Britannica は、本作のレトロな音と憂鬱な歌詞が、従来ダンス音楽を敬遠していたアダルトなオルタナ層にも訴求したと述べています。 ([Encyclopedia Britannica][4]) その影響は二重です。第一に、**trip-hop を世界的な語彙にした**こと。第二に、もっと広く、**1990年代後半以降の「暗くて遅くて映画的なポップ／エレクトロニカ」全般の感性を整えた**ことです。実際、Pitchfork は『Dummy』以後に Lamb, Morcheeba, Sneaker Pimps など多くの追随者が出たと書いています。ただし彼らの多くは表面的な“おしゃれな陰気さ”を継承しただけで、『Dummy』の核心である空白、緊張、空気の設計までは掴めなかった、という評価です。これはかなり本質を突いています。『Dummy』の本当の革新は、音そのもの以上に、**音と音のあいだの不穏な間（ま）** にあるからです。 ([Pitchfork][3]) 要するに音楽史の中で『Dummy』は、 **Massive Attack の開いた道を継ぎつつ、ヒップホップの技法・映画音楽の陰影・ロック的内省を融合し、trip-hop を“地域的なブリストルの気分”から“国際的な美学”へ押し上げたアルバム** として位置づけるのがいちばん正確です。言い換えるとこれは、1990年代の「クラブ以後」の感性を代表する作品です。踊りの熱が冷えたあとに残る、煙、夜気、孤独、その全部を音楽の形式にしてしまった。『Dummy』はそこに立っています。 ([Encyclopedia Britannica][2]) 続けて、次は **「Blue Lines → Dummy → Maxinquaye の系譜比較」** として解説することもできます。 [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dummy_%28album%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Dummy (album)" [2]: https://www.britannica.com/art/trip-hop "Trip-hop | Origins, Genre & Artists | Britannica" [3]: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23079-dummy "Portishead: Dummy Album Review | Pitchfork" [4]: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Portishead-British-music-group "Portishead | Members, Songs, & Facts | Britannica"

My numbered ranking alongside my opinion and overall comments 1. Mysterons (10/10) - Whenever I am grading tracks on my own, I tend do be more lenient with opening tracks, but that was absolutely unnecessary with this song. It's really moody, mysterious, but also slightly groove. It sets the tone and the ambiance that the rest of the record has perfectly, making it flawless at accomplishing it's purpose as a opening track. 2. Sour Times (10/10) - I love this. Sooo grovy, noir, mysterious, wounderous. It tickles my brain in all the right places, and has a sonorous landscape trully amazing. The guitar plucks accompanied by the drums are my favorite part. 3. Strangers (9/10) - It's pretty good, ngl. I Love that unlike the previous two, this one works and plays a lot more with silence, creating those moments where the melody is stripped and you immediatly know it's going to resume right after. My only problem is the choice for a muffled voice in the start. Dunno why, it just doesn't stick right for me I guess, but it's still a good track. 4. It Could be Sweet (10/10) - I Love it. It sounds like a mix between a song you could easily find in the Persona OST and one of the more chill songs from a Sonic Racing game from the PS2 (or the PS2 in general). Do you get what I'm saying? Idk. It has a specific kind of jam to it, but it is also really chill, and has that synth/celesta playing as the main strument. *Mwa*, chef's kiss. 5. Wandering Star (10/10) - I almost gave it a 9, but I honestly liked the melody a lot. I sadly can't find anything in particular that I really **really** liked, but I also don't dislike it. It is a track that you would expect to find in a record like this, and a good one to listen to while doing something else. 6. It's a fire (9/10) - I like the organ pipe and the strings in this. Myh problem is with the vocals. I dunno why, but i half expected it to be a little bit higher, and for it to accompany the pipe organ more. I still like it, still couldn't sing half as good, but it's also itchy. It also almost sounds like a gospel song. 7. Numb (9/10) - Good. This is the kind of vocals that I anticipated in the last song, and it is execute flawlesly. There's somethings I don't like that much, but it's still a good song in the context of the record, although I wouldn't listen to it on it's own. 8. Roads. 9. Pedestal 10. Biscuit. 11. Glory box

Loved this one. Great voice. Will revisit!

portishead good!!!! great angsty aqua vibes haha

Very moody, evocative of spy movies or mysterious cafes with women dressed all in black.

glory box la había escuchado por tiktok pero no tenia idea que venia en este álbum, es la primera vez que escucho esta banda y me gustaron como 6 canciones de este álbum. No es mi favorito porque no soy muy fan de este genero pero me sorprendio que hubieran canciones que me gustaran, asi que la calificación de este album es media, como un 5/10 :)

widac juz po okladce ze to lynczowskie ale nie sadzilam ze mi sie tak spodoba mega fajne

lover with questionable intentions, pack of cigarettes and this album

amazing

me senti en una peli de terror aveces. me encanto, me parecio un poco una obra de arte

Lots of these in the USA these days.

I feel like this is a fantastic album for a very very specific mood, but it’s too thin to have listening to it be your only activity. Unfortunately makes me think of the nonzero number of weird sexual encounters it has probably scored too

pretty fun vibes! I liked the instrumental ones a lot, and it was a cool exploration of something outside my usual listening.

que álbum increíblemente cool y hot

Not bad, actually. Vocals save it.

Solid album, a lot of fun sounds on this one but nothing that stood out

It's not ass. In fact, it's one of the best, most moody albums of the 90s. Not quite perfect, but not far off.

It’s super unique and a product of its time. Unfortunately it’s just not for me.

This album has always received critical acclaim, but I never understood why. Granted, I hadn't listened to the entire album before today. Midway through listening, and I now see why this is considered a standard of trip hop. Everything is just...smooth and mysterious? The sultry, yet tender vocals from Beth Gibbons set a mood that is only enhanced by the crafty production and creative sampling. The piano/organ presence was noteworthy too. This particular album definitely seems like a good gateway into trip hop for those who are hesitant or unsure.

Wooooow top

This album sounds like an indie singer-songwriter performing over a 90's hip hop beat. The drum and bass seemed more atmospheric than groovy, and that atmosphere was like a jazz club in a dark alleyway.

Never understood the big deal about this one. Always found "Sour Times" annoying CAUSE NOBODY LOVES MEEEEEEE... Plus, I found the singer's voice very inconsistent. A few songs it was sweet and mellow. Other songs it sounded sharp and grating CAUSE NOBODY LOVES MEEEEEEEE. Felt a very Bjork-esque vibe, which probably is foreshadowing if any Bjork albums show up on this list.

Interesting. Brings out a unique sound. This album has great vocals and beats. The only negative is I’m not sure when to play this type of music or what emotion it provokes.

It was alright, some songs are amazing

Oh Portishead... Pure sophistication, one of the formative albums of my life

Boring, fine?

It is never a bad day when you get to listen to Dummy. This is, I imagine for many, what Trip Hop sounds like. It's really a meeting of the minds… the two hardest bits of this to get right is the right mood on the loops and the right voice. Some go a bit too electro or dance, some vocals are too smooth or emotionless. But every groove here is downbeat and sultry, and Beth Gibbons’ voice wraps around every word, aching, vulnerable, but also chameleonic. That isnt a word, is it? You get it tho. So while those backbeats are necessary, it's Beth who carries this. Think about Glory Box, with its guitar and its vintage crackle and its cinematic swells… a lot of this feels cinematic, not the least of which because Gibbons is a master at the pregnant pause. She lets words just hang (the hook from Sour Times is probably as indicative of this as anything). It's intentional in a way that a lot of similar genres and bands aren't… not just made to get a club moving but to make a piece of art. And while it probably does not hold up as well as it could, i cannot imagine giving it less than 5*. If you aren't feeling something on Roads, do you feel?

A really, really, really good album. Melancholic and beautiful.

Better than Coldplay

8.5/10

Tiene mucho tiempo que no los he escuchado, creo es la oportunidad perfecta para regresar y escucharlos. Aunque creo que no es un disco para mi, no soy el mayor fan de su voz, siento las canciones repetitivas. Ya recordé porqué no los escuchaba más.

In my opinion a legitimately perfect album. Beth’s voice is delicate and eerie. Dummy is dramatic and dirty and nostalgic all at the same time and in the best way possible. The theramin is also an amazing addition - all of the instrumentation is intriguing, and the lyrics are haunting and beautiful. I love trip hop and portishead, especially on dummy, pioneered it. This album is definitively a five. Fav songs: sour times, strangers, it could be sweet, wandering star, roads

Un grupo esencial de los 90, con un retorno igualmente especial (Thrid) y una cantante (Beth Gibbons) única. Yo prefiero el segundo, pero este fue todo un bofetón sónico que torció las orejas desde Madchester hacia Bristol (con Tricky y Massive Attack como compañeros), James Blake o Burial bien lo saben, no digamos los injustamente denostados Morcheeba y tantos otros. Portishead son Adrian Utley (que no era precisamente un adolescente y que además amaba el jazz) , Geoff Barrow (devoto del hip-hop) y Beth Gibbons, seguidora de Janis Joplin y Nina Simone. Su discografía es inmaculada, cualquier disco suyo es excelente y representativo. No tienen uno siquiera notable. Además Gibbons ha publicado Out of Season con Rustin Man (de Talk talk) y sobre todo Lives Outgrown (además de colaboraciones con Annie Lennox o Kendrick Lamar). Barrow a su vez tiene una excelente banda sonora como es Ex Machina o alguna expo de Bansky. Mientras Massive Attack lanzaban Protection, aún más blue que su debut, Portishead lograron aclamación con este artefacto lleno de Lounge, Trip-hop, Lalo Schifrin, Morricone, Weather Report, Isaac Hayes... con Numb como punta de lanza. La relación con el cine ya comenzaba incluso antes de su debut, con el corto To Kill a Dead Man, del que sacaron la portada (además de musicarlo). Hay Soul, sonido vintage de scrachts, electrónica, hip-hop, lounge... un cóctel único. Mientras todos se rendían al Brito, con su garrulismo y sus buenas canciones, Portishead demostraban que se podía usar música ajena para crear y no solo para atracar partituras. Glory Box es otra gema, pero de cualquiera de los 11 puede decirse lo mismo. Biscuit bien podría estar en Protection o en los dos primeros de DJ Shadow. Música sensual, extrañamente acogedora e intrigante. Este disco cambió la música de tal forma que dejaron de usar a Moby para sabotear cualquier cosa de ellos. Sour Times es el perfecto ejemplo, una canción que justifica una discografía.

Top songs: glory box (only one that sounded familiar), sour times, roads and biscuit. It’s good but not my style.

One of my favorites! 5 stars

it was nice but no vibe at all

Holy Cow...how did i miss this one first time around??? Mercury prize winner, multi platinum sales, a true classic of it's genre. Cannot claim to really understand what "trip-hop" is, but this album certainly takes you on some kinda late night trip. Beth Gibbons voice is sublime and the music sounds wonderfully authentic. Pour me another whiskey and turn the lights down low....bliss Favourite track: Sour Times

In 2003 I was given this album on a CDR by a classmate in school as a way to try and hit on me. Didn’t work, but the album is excellent.

These songs are immaculately crafted, emotive, and creative. All while remaining so lowkey. Beth Gibbon’s vocal performance is near perfect. I loved this and will be returning to it.

<3

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