Reviews (page 6 of 15)
Incredible debut album. Glory Box is sublime
Great classic
amazing i love triphop also ps my mom says that this album sounds like james bond :)
Fuck yeah, this is one of my fav albums
i love this album!
90's mellow
A sombre feel throughout. Brilliant sound
Good chill album with a glass of brandy
Nice chill
It's giving me Gorillaz vibes. Given the genre, I'm surprised there are lyrics for every track, and they flow right with the beat. I only wish there was a bigger standout hit. Favorite Track: "Glory Box".
Chill
Weird, trippy, chill vibes
Solid vocally and musically. Big nostalgia
Trip Hop gold. Another album that gets better and better each listen! Favorite track: Sour Times 4.5/5
Top tracks Sour times Strangers
It’s good!
Dummy, chill.
I like the stripped down minimalism of this album. I have no idea how musicians can use less than more like this, but Portishead does it successfully. Liked Songs Added: Strangers Numb Glory Box
Sick
Good stuff, very good stuff
Glory Box banging end
4/5
Album 285. Dummy (https://open.spotify.com/album/3539EbNgIdEDGBKkUf4wno?si=VH-5bIrdS4-XwrqFbjBD_g) — Portishead (1994) I can't decide whether to give a 4 or a 5 to this album all day... It's great and hard-to-listen-to LP. Unique and astonishing. Debut and the best at the same time. But I miss something and that missing piece of something is a reason why I can't give it the highest rate... or maybe I can? Can I? No, I'm not a can 4/5 Liked: — Mysterons — Sour Times — Strangers — Wandering Star — Numb — Roads — Glory Box
Portishead is one of those bands I really like but rarely listen to. I’ve heard several of the songs on this album multiple times but this is the first time listening to it from start to finish. It really deserves a few more listens before giving it an honest review. Could be a masterpiece.
Geoff Barrow attended an enterprise course for the unemployed and met Beth Gibbons, a woman with no real singing experience and a voice like cut glass. They formed a band named after a coastal town in Somerset, made a short spy film called To Kill a Dead Man to get a record deal, had never performed live, and recorded an album that defined an entire genre, won the Mercury Prize, and influenced three decades of British music without breaking a sweat or leaving Bristol. The production process was unlike anything happening in 1994. The band would jam live in the studio, record everything onto 24 track tape, feed it back through sequencers, press the sounds onto vinyl, and then manipulate the vinyl further. Drummer Clive Deamer recorded his parts so quietly that when he heard the finished record he barely recognized what he had played. This is either the most meticulous production process in trip hop history or what happens when three people from Bristol have very specific opinions and unlimited patience. Beth Gibbons stooped over the microphone with a cigarette burning slowly between her fingers and sang like someone who had been doing it her whole life despite having barely done it at all. Glory Box, Sour Times, and Wandering Star are three of the most perfectly constructed pieces of music to emerge from the 1990s, a decade that produced considerable competition for that title. The bass on Wandering Star is room shaking in a way that the coffee shop reputation of trip hop has spent thirty years obscuring and never quite managing to bury. This sits exactly where it belongs in my listening life. A clean 4, no deliberation, no reluctant hedging, just an album that fits. 4 out of 5. One star for Beth Gibbons, who attended an unemployment course and accidentally became one of the great voices of her generation. One for Glory Box, which is perfect. One for the vinyl manipulation process, which sounds insane and produced something that sounds inevitable. One for never having performed live before the album came out, which is either the greatest confidence move in Bristol history or proof that some things are better left unrehearsed.
Oh, this is where Massive Attack came from! A little too mumbly for me in some places but I really liked it.
Very strong slow moving pieces. Apple Music says that the album is strongly inspired by the coming down of a high and I think that they really paint that image in such a soft blue light.
Glory Box is one of those dirty, grimey tracks played over a montage of run-down towns, litter cycling in the breeze. Good album overall, pleasant to listen to, whipped past. Still prefer Massive Attack, but I get it. The tracks, while blending together unfortunately too often, at least aren't given infinite time to become dull.
Classico
I really enjoyed this!! It’s so different from all the other albums I’ve heard so far! Very moody and sexy and makes me want to smoke a cigarette on a rooftop at night.
something in this album hooked me, i think. put off reviewing this album for weeks because i couldn't settle on a review. it's good. way better than i expected. Would I listen again: yes I will Deserves to be on this list: feels like it 4.2
Love it
8,8/10
It was decent
Such a cool, dark album. I love the sour times song especially.
sou taaaoooo apaixonada por esse álbum já conhecia antes e ouvir a primeira vez é de fato uma experiência única
Best Track - "Glory Box"
Any album that starts with a theremin has to be good. But as the album went on, I found the vocals a bit overpowering and dreary. Still, this one's going in my library.
Started by thinking this was good and I think perhaps it is. But it went on and on in the same vein. All the tracks sound extremely similar. Its a good sound and I like it but I can't really distinguish one track from another. I'm going to give a generous score because its a distinctive sound.
I was absolutely hooked by the first track here, and that level of enjoyment continued throughout the next few tracks as well. However, things did seem to lull in the middle. Not to say it was bad, far from it. I just found myself passively listening rather than actively. The final track, though, brought me back in, and while I'm not confident enough to give this a 5 right now, it's certainly a strong 4.
Trippin and hoppin and enjoin it.
4.4/5
This is a decent album. Good for chilling. The singles are solid (Glory Box, Sour Times, Numb), the rest of the songs aren’t memorable but are decent. A 3.5 star album; I’m feeling generous. (4)
Felt almost modern, but felt like it was missing something
I think if I grew up on this it could’ve been a 5.
Great album. Gibbons’ vocals are out of this world.
Pas une découverte mais toujours un plaisir. C’est fou de créer quelque chose d’aussi envoûtant que TOUTES les musiques de cet album !
Woah!! Pleasantly surprised. Really good stuff here Best Song: Strangers Rating: 8/10 Stars: 4
Cold. Warm. Cool. Alluring. Alien. Existential. Lynchian. I love how the drum machine is front and center. This is a masterpiece.
Good album. Classics like "Sour Times" and "Glory Box". Trip hop fundamental.
4/5
really cool. toned down groove, very adult swim interstitial beats, vibey in a cowboy bebop smokin in the rain kinda way. i look forward to checking out more poorshithead. favorite song is Strangers or It's A Fire. solid 4
Moody, club and dub inspired (to this Gen X-er’s ears), great female vocals.
The first track is dope. I really like the effects used on this album as a whole, it feels old-school and real. Where so much music feels like CGI, this feels like practical effects, solid and homespun. I am going to buy this album. Finishes on Glory Box, insanely amazing. Not sure if this is 5 stars, but it is close!
Saved? ✅ Would listen again? ✅ Would recommend to anyone? ✅ Would buy on Vinyl? ✅
had lots of fun with this, if my genre preferences shift over time I could see myself giving it a 5 in the future
Not too familiar with this artist, but Sour Times and Glory Box did receive significant airplay at the time of release. An atmospheric, interesting blend.
First: I'm a huge Portishead fan But then: I always liked Portisheads 2nd album better than Dummy. Sure this one has 3-4 killer tracks and was revolutionary at the time. But it doesn't work as an album, some songs are quite "rough" and some are just fillers and/or don't fit in musically. Still: Beth Gibbons voice, Utleys guitar and Barrows sampling are superb.
Lovely weird sounds
Day 23. Although I have never been and am still totally not into electronic music. I hate most hiphop, rap and dance music, but this different. Portishead is one of the few exceptions. This sounds so good. I had this on a tape around 1996. Have the second album on cd, but not this one. I must have listened this a lot as every track was very recognizable with my memory. I love the sultry atmosphere and singing of Beth Gibbons with the moody beats and sounds. It is said that it is the greatest music to make love. Was doubting to 4 or 5 stars but looking at my other 4s and 5s so far I keep it with 4.
Has a very whimsical feel to it
bizarre eerie haunting weird artsy
Loved this the first time I heard it and honestly love it more now.
#397/1001. What a nostalgia trip-hop this was. Sounds like mid nineties, good to remember there were other genres than grunge and hiphop. Haven't really needed them in my life after that period (perhaps not even then), but still soothing.
Mary. Need to listen again, but this was such a pleasure to listen to. Clearly pushing the needle for '94
“Head” bands, ranked (though honestly, all of them are pretty solid at worst): 1. Radiohead 2. Motörhead 3. Talking Heads 4. The Lemonheads 5. Portishead
Original jazz-inflected trip-hop with some interesting sounds and samples and catchy grooves.
Very nice, me enjoyed. Something I'd put on when I need to concentrate and the lyrics kind of just seep into the instrumentals.
Really liked this! So layered and nice to listen to. Sounds ahead of its time to me kinda. Saved.
I knew I had heard of Portishead and I kept waiting for the song to that I knew to hit. I was loving the album until that point and then Roads hit and I was transported back to the 90s. What a great song. What a great album. Her vocals are just :chef's kiss: Would definitely listen again. In fact I've listened to Roads at least 3x today.
Pretty unique album. Enjoyed it all the way through!
Honestly a pretty great album, with pleasant and soft down tempo beats. The vocals are soothing, making this a solid trip-hop entry with some iconic songs.
Literally had no idea this band existed till now. Band members all played such an intricate part in creating this style of music. Song were all hauntingly good. Felt like I really was coming down for an acid high.
Hot hot hot
Fantastically cool and chill
Trippy and hoppy and all its own atmospherics
Oh yes, very nice. Took me a while to warm to old mates in my youth but I was a silly boy. Third also goes hard and I know next to nothing about the one in the middle. That guy who gave this a resounding review of 'Bad' and then apparently quit this project is my hero.
quite different
Listening session: june 18th/19th, while sittimg in the train Listened to before: heard a few songs before Thoughts: this album is a genre of its own which is really nice, but not something that I’m always in the mood for. Glory Box is iconic for a reason though Favourite tracks: Sour Times, Roads & Glory Box
Good album. It’s not quite my style overall but I did enjoy it. Hovering between a 3.5 and 4 for me. Going to upvote it because I think it deserves it here. Ambient guitars and soft female vocal that has a melancholy vibe. I missed this band originally in the 90’s. I’d check out more stuff from them.
goated Trip Hop Album
4/5
Really loving the unique sound. Very cool instrumentation and vibes from this one
really love the instrumentals here and fw the lead vocals even though the lyrics usually didn't resonate with me. the ambiance the former two things were able to create makes for very good "i am a hot and very cool woman" listening. feeling like rouge the bat in dry lagoon. fav: glory box
I'd listened to it before
absolute 90s melancholia! some parts get boring but all in all i enjoyed it
Нуарно, джеймсбондово, все песни довольно похожи, но выделяются очев Glory Box(песня из рекламы = классика), и оч крутая Roads.
Bon et que des Souvenirs
A solid album I’ve enjoyed for a long time
fun and different vibe to this, would listen again
This album has the vibe of the that era with glory box being the highlight of all the tracks
Moby Moby moby
I love this album. It's highly nostalgic without feeling like it belongs to a particular time. Great vibes, some exceptional songs. V much enjoyed revisiting this.
Elektro-Rock mit toller Stimmer. Spannend zu hören 4/5
"Mysterons" je hud opener. A je to theremin? (Ha, je!) "Sour Times" je tok dobr. Pa "Strangers". "Glory Box" je pa itak ikoničen Ma, cel album je hud, ful chill.
Damn good album. One of those bands I've heard of but never actively listened to. As it turns out, I've absolutely heard "Sour Times". Going to stick this one into active rotation.
Very cool album. It's like Bjork and Lorde but without any super good climaxes for my liking. Still a great time
Twisted
Beth's vocals go so well with the atmospheric instrumentals.
Very good album. Highlights in Sour Times and Glory Box, the rest also strong.
Such a densely packed album
NO LO ESCUCHO
did not clock that this was the album art for this one what else to say, basically invented trip hop still maybe the best trip hop 💥glory box 💥sour times 💥wandering star 💥roads
Really enjoyed this. Dark, broody, ambient lofi beats with suave, echoey vocals floating over the top. Funnily I first heard Gibbons in Kendrick’s Mother I Sober and loved those vocals, so it’s neat to hear her in this context.
I’m not depressed enough to listen to this rn but I’m sure if I was it would be amazing
I like the vocals and the production. Consistent throughout the whole album and I will definitely be saving these songs to playlists. 8/10
trip-hop är alltid skoj!
A record id heard once before and liked. In the beginning I was not quite as in it, but it really picked up for me at the end. Felt like it was getting more varied.
already did
I had no clue who this band was, but really really enjoyed the album. Easy 4 star.
I love albums with unique, consistent sounds like this. The whole thing just sounds so cool. The beats are really solid and the dreamy vocals fit over them perfectly.
Listen this on a cloudy day. 10/10
4/5
Great trip hop album, never heard of it before, sounds pretty dope
Classy classic.
I knew I'd heard of Portishead before, but wasn't super familiar with them. When I pulled the album up on Spotify, I saw that I already had "Sour Times" saved to my favorites, so clearly I had heard it before. That song was their biggest U.S. hit and I think it was probably a staple on alternative radio at a time when I listened to alternative radio non-stop. I love Portishead's sound. The music on this album seems like it should be a soundtrack to a television show like "Twin Peaks" or "The X-Files". Very melancholy, with a cool almost spooky vibe. Definitely music that would be played in the background at a hip coffeehouse. No complaints on this one!
Gave me a reason to love trip hop.
SO GOOD
I was exactly the right age for this album when it came out, and I even live near Portishead and it was *everywhere*. Playing in every party, every bar, mentioned in every conversation. And it is a very good record with a totally unique sound, somehow hollow and lush all at once from the mix of sampling and live playing. But I could never quite get on board with the absolute adoration it inspired. Some of the tracks sound like they're just about to kick it up a gear and go hard, but then don't. Some of the tracks lean too hard on lounge jazz for inspiration. The remainder are, indeed, brilliant, but there's just a bit too much suspect material for top marks.
Pretty sleepy time, but still good
First album, different from what I’m used to fs,the beats and voice is like a bit creepy and mysterious, it feels like a bit thriller like at least 3 songs in. This girls voice is really good. It’s extremely dreamy but in a night dreamy way. Veryy experimental. Best way to truly explain is it feels like a soundtrack from a thriller eerie spy movie, a dark one. Each song kind of sounds similar though but it’s still pretty enjoyable, I think this will sound amazing high.
This was a surprise. I was familiar with Track 2 but little else. On first listen while doing my morning workout I concluded it deserved a 4. On subsequent listens throughout the day it felt more like a 3. I’ll leave it a 4 to encourage future visits. 4/5
i was really into trip hop in the mid/late 00s so i'm not really sure how i never listened to portishead but better late than never i guess yeah this one's good. its a real slow, spooky, sexy sound. my favourites are "it's a fire" and "numb", the latter of which really does make me wish we'd rolled this in october or somethin cos that's a halloween type beat. but really the whole back half is great. the first half.... idk it kinda faded into the background a bit for me. good, but not gripping. when the electric organ gets thrown in the mix midway thru the album..... thats when shit becomes real for me. overall pretty solid. i'll definitely give this another listen. although having said that, i'm on my third round of this already.....
This band is new to me. Chill, mellow vibes. Would be good with shrooms or an indica
Yeah not too bad - I'd listen to it again
I have never heard of the band before. About 2/3 of the songs were great to listen to.
Ok this is a much better for myself. I enjoy the Tobe of the album and the dark and broody feel connects really well. 'Third' was what I had previously and that just did nothing for me. But this had me tapping my foot yo the beat and the songs felt varied and experimental but still had a strong sense of self that didn't loose focus at any point. The bond sounding elements work really well and it's definitely a unique record overall. This really surprised me ngl. Fav Track: Sour Times
This rules! I never knew.
A legendary album. Truly special. Very mean of this website to put this after Leftism by Leftfield. We're still trying to uncover the magic of this record, imo.
Now this album i listened to a lot whenit came out. I was concerned it was an album of its time and time would leave it exposed. Nope. Good album. With the brit music of the time sounding samish, this was a standout at the time. It also blends styles sooooo well without being cornty, creating something new. Tough to blend 60’s/70s cinematic, hip hop, etc. Bravo.
Love it. Their sound is so evocative and alluring. The quality and thoughtfulness of the production stand out. A 4.
I like this much more than the other Portishead album on here. It's a beautiful album with this sort of haunting atmosphere to it. None of the sounds sound like any real conventional instrument or sound. Singing is a bit sparse and leaves room for the music to breathe. It's a really unique album in how it does things and it's executed really well.
4/5 Favorite Songs: Mysterons Sour Times Numb Glory Box
I knew of the name Portishead but had no active memory of what it was or sounded like. A friend told me to listen to it with proper headphones and just let it happen and so I did. at first i had to get used to the combination of sweet smooth vocals combined with the technical sounds but the getting further into the album I noticed myself understanding it more and more. And then came Glory Box. A song that i immediately recognized and tied everything together. In the end a very good album that had highs and lows and I feel happy to have a couple songs in my rotation now.
Ich wusste nicht auf was ich mich einlasse, aber war eig positiv überrascht. zudem find ich die sounds sehr originell! lieblingssongs sour times strangers its a fire it could be sweet maybe roads hab mich noch nicht entschieden glory box
Richtig cooler vibe. Ich muss mit dem Album noch warm werden aber es hat auf jeden Fall Potential eine 5/5 zu werden.
I already had some of the songs on this album, so I knew a little bit of what to expect. I didn't like every song, but I do like the way the album sounds on the general level.
Very cool, but some songs were a bit sameish
Len Houmous was once recognised as The Mayor of Bristol for 3 hours 4.3 2/11 Sour Times
I really like this eerie physcodelic jazz album
Me gustó, amo la voz de la chica 🛐. Tal vez no es tanto de lo q escucho, pero igual me encantó, me motiva a experimentar más estilos. ♡
Fantastic listen, deep vocals, very good.
Fantastic album. Chill, deep, no skippable tracks. Just a great album overall.
Weird, strange in an "I like it" way.
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 album is fuckin' cool.
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.
okk
Outstanding production, interesting sound, well worth a listen
cool cool cool
Something I wouldn’t regularly listen to, but Portishead certainly has a downbeat vibe that I can kind of groove with
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.
me gusta la electronica ahora
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.
amazing
me senti en una peli de terror aveces. me encanto, me parecio un poco una obra de arte
pretty fun vibes! I liked the instrumental ones a lot, and it was a cool exploration of something outside my usual listening.
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.
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.
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.
8.5/10
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.
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
Pretty significant album with lots of good music that solidified trends in the field. I think everyone should listen to it, at least once.
Women. Bardzo ciekawy album. Też raczej nie w moim stylu, ale przynajmniej się słuchało. „Glory box” brzmi bardzo znajomo, a przynajmniej melodia.
4,5
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.
8/10
My rating 3.8. I really enjoyed this album. Nice find.
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.
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
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
okay... great background music to me... i guess it's quite intense. i dont know, i didnt like it all that much
Ohhhh nice, not quite as close to 5 stars as I remembered but 4 stars nonetheless. Tom.
Nice moody background music
Sexy times
Spooky vibes kinda halloweeny
Solid trip hop album!
такий розслаблюючий альбом, дуже приємне звучання та вокал
Very soothing, very moody. An overall banger!
It’s like James Bond music.
Simple production but effortlessly sexy!
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
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
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.
very nice
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.
Super great ambient, moody without being a downer.
Classic Pop
This album is pure vibes.
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
Was really surprised by this! It aged well
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
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,
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.
Carino, ma niente di eccezionale
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.
Interesting musically and haunting lyrics.
Super interesting and fantastic production. Will definitely return to this album in the future but it doesn’t quite reach the 5 level.
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!
Still sounds good all these years later!
sexy
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
Sublime, no fue first listening ever pero nunca me quejaría de escucharlo. MC: Glory Box
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.
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.
Very good weird. Melodic and well produced. Had heard of Portishead but never heard Portishead. Not a bad performance.
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.
Really good. Great vocals, excellent production, impressive.
Good, but I don’t hear the greatness often attributed to it.
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.
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 🧘🏻♀️
This is the kind of album you simply sit down and enjoy. What a beauty.
At times a bit repetitive, but overall a very solid album
This is a great album, just the right level of chill
Good album I like Portishead
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.
Cohesive but each song stands alone. Love the samples and effects mixed with smooth instrumentals
This album creates a space that everybody wants to visit.
finally something different and also v groovy
easy listening, love the theramin and overall dark sound
VERY good experience, didn't expect I'd like it so much!
Atmospheric
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.
a classic. Not all is great, but it's a record with a unique sound.
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.
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.
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.
1/31/26: Really quite enjoyed this. 7/10
This was solid. A bit unique and mysterious. Good vocals. I enjoyed it.
Cery chill and worth a listen
I knew Glorybox, and I love its sound, so I was pretty excited about listening to this album. The whole album carries that sound and it is a great sound, however, as many already pointed out, it gets a bit repetitive. Also, I had a sleepy day and I don't think this album helped my energy levels lol.
solid vibes. got lost (in a good way) during the first half of the album
Did not expect this at all, but was a perfect start to the day. Massive Attack, Air… almost sounded like songs before Pretty Lights remixed and ruined them
Quite liked this. Have heard Roads before, song is 10/10. Overall album was haunting, melodic, atmospheric, very cool.
Would listen to zonked
Cinematic, atmospheric, almost haunting. Love when music makes feels like I'm walking through another world. Favorites: Glory Box, Sour Times, Roads, Wandering Star, It Could Be Sweet
A little slow/moody for me but I appreciated it.
liked it more than i anticipated
I'll say right away that this is a mood-based record, and now, with the black-and-white palette outside, is the perfect time to listen to it. It's hardly depressing, but melancholic, yes. Let's just say any of the songs would be suitable for the title theme of a James Bond film. The entire album has a consistent tempo, the structure of each song is very similar, and surprisingly, it manages not to get boring. Occasionally, the jazz samples are diluted with sudden, but not at all unnecessary, hip-hop (or nu-metal, depending on your preference) DJ scratches. On the last song, these scratches are replaced by a lingering guitar riff. Beth Gibbons's voice, although not the strongest, is the icing on this melancholy cake.
Awesome and moody; surprised that it was good. Glory Box was a song I've heard of. I like the first track Mysterious, it really sets the tone of the whole album perfectly. The genre is trip hop but the blues and jazz used is phenomenal. A very good album that you can fall in love with. Portishead, from what I've read, are very critically acclaimed and highly praised. Their samples and singer, Beth Gibbons, is PERFECT for the mood of the album. Her voice is so Kill Bill. The more I read about the band the more I like them!!
Natürlich ein Klassiker mit dem Highlight als Abschluss. Das Album kriegt mich allerdings nicht durchgängig gefesselt und weitere ganz große Ausreißer nach oben fehlen ebenfalls, daher 4 Sterne.
Ich habe etwas gaaaanz anderes erwartet. Umso schöner, dass das auch sehr gut war.
znam poslednju pesmu, glory box, sa tiktoka hahah, ali stvarno je dobra! prijatno me je iznenadio žanr ovog albuma, nisam nikad čula ništa slično, kao da si pomešao cranberries i hip hop, veoma svež zvuk, za mene barem. produkcija, vokali, sve je super urađeno, prva pesma prosto odaje atmosferom početka nečega, a poslednja završetkom, ali taj završetak kao da opet označava početak nečeg novog. ako to ima smisla. jako sam uživala u ovom albumu!
I've loved this album for 20 years, which is simultaneously long enough and not long enough. "Sour Times" brought trip-hop to the masses, and this album cemented it more firmly. It's by no means perfect since it's a little one-dimensional at times, but still a good end-to-end listen.
Best - glorybox Worst - wandering stars
Cinematic hiphop & electric type beats with an indie singer…like if Alanis Morissette sang over RZA’s production, but not really. But seriously, I love the avant-garde, electronica, ambient and hiphop type music. The only knock for me is it’s a very dark album. Otherwise, magnificent work.
Definitely a great 90's futuristic/dystopian vibe. Nice.
I can definitely enjoy a well played bass line with my earbuds, but giving this a listen in the car so I could literally feel the bass on my body definitely elevated the experience. I think this effort shows the positive direction where layering samples with original work forms into a pretty unique experience, less cliché or harsh than a lot of earlier examples I've heard on this list. I hadn't heard this one in a while, I remember liking it more than I do now. Still, I'd keep a copy of this in the car. Really well produced. 4/5
Never really heard anything like this, but 100% would listen again
awesome and chill vibes. very consistent tone throughout, wandering star is personal fav
excellent
Really cool sound. Very British move to take American influences (hip hop, DJ scratching) and turn it into something moody and introspective. I don't always want to listen to this, but it's good to know it's out there.
Loved the vibes, especially the drums and samples
I was not familiar with the trip hop genre but if it's like this album, I'm a new fan. Take some mushrooms and put this on.
I haven't listened to Portishead in ages, but this album brings back memories. It's a very good album.
I have heard songs off this album before but very cohesive and stylistic trip hop that I love. Blessed album.
This album is a vibe! I love her voice and the mix of electronic music and jazz.
Girls I was attracted to in high school and university loved this album.
Pooled lood on siin super head. Ja olid juba mu Liked Songs nimekirjas. Selline kiiksuga muusika (ehk vist "trip hop"?) mulle meeldib. Mõni kahtlane lugu on siin küll, aga üldiselt on ta ikka tugev album.
Really cool album, felt sort of dark and dreamy. Not what I expected. “Glory Box” and “Mysterons” stood out to me. Would give a 7/10
TIRA TUDO, MENOS O TRIP HOP!!!
Banger
j'ai été transporté sur les routes de Portishead par la poésie et de l'émotion qui se dégagent de leur musique electro-jazzy- blues.
When it came out, I’d already heard Massive Attack and I’d also gone through the even more claustrophobic Music for the Jilted Generation. So Dummy didn’t hit me as hard as it should. That poisseuse slowness became a classic, ultra popular, everywhere at the end of my high school, played to death, almost to the point of nausea. And yet, the album never really loses its beauty. Still, it’s huge. Dark, tired, gloomy in exactly the way it’s supposed to be. Not a shock for me, but a landmark all the same.
I enjoyed this more than I thought
Gives me a female fronted gorillaz vibe in some spots that I really liked and some of those beats sounds like something you’d hear from wu tang or Jedi mind tricks
yeah its dummy time
This is a gorgeous slow morning/ slow day soundtrack. Especially enjoyed It Could Be Sweet, Pedestal, and Glory Box. Rating it 4 because this is going in my chill rotation.
this was wacky and fun!