Reviews (page 7 of 15)
I hit the number on Siamese Dream before I actually put in my review. That was dumb. So, of course, it was maybe the 5th time I've done it this week. Which makes me a giant dummy. Anyway, Siamese Dream is such a brilliant fucking album. There's not a single song on there that I can't listen to on repeat for hours which, I more or less did while painting a different room in my brother's new house. Gawd I love that album. And if I hadn't listened to Siamese Dream, which is maybe the one of the most 5 albums on this list (also, Gish better be on this list!), I would probably have ranked this album as a 5. But, I did. So, while I love Dummy and I love Beth Gibbons voice and I love the beats and sounds they generate on this album, it's still no Siamese Dream. So a 4 it gets.
4/5 - Compared to Third, this is way more my speed. Dummy has a singular, classic vibe to it that has aged pretty well. Very much a “sum is greater than the parts” style of music for me.
I enjoyed this a lot more than expected based on the Wikipedia blurb. It’s a little dark, a little sexy, and a little jazzy. I like the genre blending and femme fatale vibes
erg nice, om in te zinken, nieuwe muziek die in de afspeellijsten gaat!
It’s very good but damn is it depressing to listen to while trying to get work done
I think I'm more into UK trip hop now than I was when it came out, and this is a must-listen.
A very interesting album
At first I was only into these for the instrumentals but now I'm dialed. You can feel the influence of previous bodies of work they're inspired by and you can tell these will (and probably are) being copied well into today. I've since listened to their other work and yeah it bangs.
Fav tracks: mysterons, it could be sweet, it’s a fire Jazzy smooth vocals, introspective emo lyrics, snazzy breakdown.. a damn good album!!
Classic
Peaceful great tunes that have replaced my usual jazz listening sessions, which I use as a cool down for the day. My favorites would probably be It Could Be Sweet and Wandering Star.
Need to listen closer but I enjoyed
Dreamy
very good landmark album that doesn't do that much for me personally
Overall rating by me: 7/10 Songs added to the playlist: ,,Pedestal", ,,Biscuit", ,,Glory Box" Notes: Very classy, very rich but also insanely sensual. It's absolutely giving me the vibe of the music that plays at the dark-lit bar, in the nook of an alleyway. Also, ,,Glory Box" is the ultimate song I reach for when I want to feel powerful, therefore I'm glad I finally had a push to listen to the whole album.
It was hauntingly sexy. This album sounds sensual, chill, and eerie at the same time. It was very enjoyable and solid.
Svelte and spacey - epic sounds! Favourite tracks: Sour Times, Wandering Star, Roads, Glory Box
i totally understand why glory box is the most popular off of this album, given it is the only song that sounds different from the other songs. that being said, the sound is good, an album doesnt always need to be that varied. im also being harsh, mysterons also is pretty good and unique
Very chill sounding, almost reminds me of Fiona Apple. Great for studying (currently listening to it rn while doing my homework lol).
so sexy
The album cover looks like it's from a found-footage horror movie. I really liked the vibe of this album. It felt a little jazzy and sometimes the beats sounded like they could be for a rap song. It also like it was made in a cold basement. I've heard glory box before.
Chill jazzy vibes
I need to get back to this as I never gave it a fair shake. I liked what I heard
very sexy and cool
Pre-listen thoughts: okok, have had this one saved in my library for nearly five years. Very familiar, just never one I've found as easy to return to as most people seem to think. Mysterons, Strangers, and Wandering Star are most memorable to me. I'm excited to really think on this listen. After listen: wow. a real masterclass in production, never heard anything like this. I'd say no skips though it's not quite 5 stars for me. It could work up to it potentially.
Día 1 de one album a day. La electrónica en general no es mi estilo de música, pero me sorprendió gratamente. Muy chill, linda voz la de Beth Gibbons, hay algo interesante en el sonido. En líneas generales el tono del álbum es bastante plano, pero no me disgustó.
Great album, had a fun time listening. This album was pretty solid, i like the atmosphere and the vocals just adds to it's overall mood, just listened to it while staring at the ceiling. My favorite track is probably roads.
good vives
They exist at the intersection of every song sounding the same, and having a sound
Not exactly my type of music but the production on it is great. A quality made album.
molt fugees
Des del començament de la primera cançó que em van agradar molt les vibes d'aquest album. Si q potser prefereixo música amb més ritme però esta realment molt bé. És d'aquests que me'ls tornaré a escoltar i postser fins i tot busco més cançons d Portishead. La cantant té una veu q hi queda genial.
Love the vibes. As an album it's kinda samey but that's more on the artist's sound than anything else. Best albums are something you know you want to get enveloped by for a brief period of time and Portishead does this very well.
Music to wistfully gaze out of the window on a cold, rainy night to. Favourite tracks: Strangers, Roads, Biscuit
bro its so fcking cool wth lowkey weird but i love it sm all the sounds BRO WHAAAAT when it started i was like😮😮😮 like bro that sounds so good i cant im so glad that girl from tiktok wasnt gatekeeping this app omg i know the last song i had no idea its on this album
unusual
This one was nice more my wheel house like the bits of disc scratch and smooth operator vibes
Great from start to finish. Ahead of its time with the inclusion of hip hop elements.
This one has been hyped up quite a bit and I see why people like it. I don’t think it’s the best thing since sliced bread, but it’s good. Definitely liked this more than Third. The first three songs, especially Strangers are a great introduction to the style. Some of the bass work in the latter half especially on Pedestal are really good too. Favorite songs were Mysterons, Sour Times, Strangers, Wandering Star, and Glory Box.
Elegantly bleak. Like some of the songs on Victorialand only with a hip-hop beat.
Not necessarily the classic album it is often heralded as, but it does have some classic tracks. It loses it a bit in the middle but it is a highly impressive debut.
Really close to a 5 from me. It’s so evocative of a particular mood that is hard to get from many other albums. Gibbons’ voice is full of tenderness and fragility that I find it just draws you in. ‘Roads’ in particular has a vocal performance that is so understated whereas others might oversing it way too much. There are a few tracks later on that don’t have quite the same hook to them which I think is the only reason I can really give for not scoring it higher, just a slight lack of consistency throughout.
This was a nice surprise for me. She has an amazing voice. The instrumental accompaniment is sparse, but sophisticated. I can't describe it adequately, but it is powerful and moving. I'm anxious to listen to Beth Gibbons' contribution to Gorecki's Symphony No. 3.
bra bra
I really liked Sour Times and Glory Box
First Listen; 4; I really enjoyed this album and this is probably the first of the thirty or so in this project that I haven't heard before but will listen to again. The songs have a very lush sound and epitomize a chill, laid-back sound. The vocals are great and fit the music perfectly.
Incredible record. Beth Gibbons’ voice is outstanding.
Love this album. Smooth dark and sexy.
Amazing how much music I never heard of before. This was mellow and very nice.
++*: Sour Times, Glory Box ++: Strangers, It Could Be Sweet, Wandering Star, Numb, Roads, Pedestal, Biscuit +: Mysterons, It's a Fire 9,6/10
Extremely solid four, great stuff! I'd only known it for Roads so I was hoping it'd be a little more consistently on that level, but it's still full of good stuff. Ultimately it is just a bit subdued for my tastes.
Ethereal female vocals backed by some cool ass chill beats? Sign me up!
HOT
more my kind of music, favorite songs were sour times and glory box
Very good, one I've always heard of, but never listened all the way through before.
This one reminds me of a long walk when fall has shifted to winter. Everything is a varying shade of white. The world has slowed down…and the rhythm is a slow melodic beat of time passing.
Never something I would have listened to on my own. Really enjoyed the lo fiand the record scratching against the saxophone and the vocals. Will definitely listen to again.
Oh, wonderful Beth! Adrian Utley's light jazz touches and flawless production are instrumental in this album being a gem and a high point of 90's trip-hop.
I kind of remember these guys in the 90s, but never really listened to them much. It was before I started getting into electronic music. Starts off with an eery sounding track. I remember the second track. Didn't think much of it as a teenager, but now that I'm a little older I appreciate the eery sound of the singing, the James Bondish guitar riff. The guitar sample on the third track almost sounds like the riff from Curtis Mayfield's "Right on for the Darkness." I don't remember hearing Numb before but it's good. Roads I've definitely heard, and also a quiet groove. Glory Box a good one to finish off the album. Also definitely remember this one. 4/5
"Dummy" is probably best described as depressed hip-hop. It has elements of electronica, and hip hop techniques such as the use of loops, but also regular instruments and organs. Such elements seem to fill in a sense of silence or darkness present in the background of each track. The mood of the album is generally quite sombre, not quite "monotone" but some of the songs do sounds quite similar. An interesting album, probably not quite my taste, but listenable.
Liking the dark weirdness of Mysterons so far. Loving the vocals and darkness on Sour Times. Almost like understated jazz vocals, but with a great trip-hop beat. Can't believe it's taken me this long to listen to Portishead!
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It's very cinematic in sound, almost noir-ish. Mellow with a classic jazz edge. Highlights: "Wandering Star" and "Glory Box"
7.5/10 It's a mood Highlights: Roads Sour Times Wandering Star Glorybox It's a Fire
We’ve heard lots of albums of this type but this is the first I’ve seriously liked. There is a musicality and complexity here that I hadn’t noticed in the other trip hop albums we’ve heard. I hear Sade, indie rock, hip hop and other things too. The final track was the highlight for me.
Brilliant album.
If I could give this negative stars I would
Hell yeah
This is a super vibey album - what was in the air in the UK in the 90s??? Obviously very similar to massive attack and a trip hop classic. I really like the use of scratches and samples and oh my god Beth Gibbons’ voice fits so perfectly within. Also the incredible bass lines Standouts: Mysterons, Roads (shout out Rick and Morty), Wandering star!!!!
Merge between old-school hip-hop and intentional jazz with record scratching and saxophone solos. Romanticized, isolated vocals nice beats. Gives off drive through New York City at 8 PM in September..
hot
FUN VIBE
Innovative sound, mellow feel.
This is a good sound. It feels like a perfect album, maybe not perfect for me, but just a perfect MOOD, you know? This is one I've listened to several times when I'm not sure what to put on, and it's always enjoyable. The first track and 'Wandering Star' are the standouts to me.
Vibessss. Makes me wanna be a cool 90s gal. Really enjoyed this.
Think this album is pretty incredible not really like anything else I hear
4/5
Never listened to Portishead despite hearing about them through the 90's. Listening to this on Halloween and the first songs Mysterons and Sour Times feel perfect for today. This album helped pioneer the Trip Hop genre which I personally really like. I spent a lot of time listening to Glitch Hop and I really get the same vibes here. A lot of hip hop inspiration from looping, sampling and record scratches that are really cool. The deep bass and drum beats on the album are awesome. When coupled with the vocals of Beth Gibbons, it creates this almost ambient, haunting sound. Someone related to old spy movies, but I don't get that vibe at all. It's way too hip hop for that. It's like an avante-garde, blues hip hop album. Really unique.
That was really good. It's probably to do with the fact that I was young and cool when it came out and for sure someone put the album on back then. I wasn't a big fan then, but, with time, it has grown on me. 4.5 out of 5, but I'll give it a four.
A classic that I always love when it’s on, but often forget about. It makes me want to cruise in the backseat to a car cruising through the city at night.
Very enjoyable album. Particular favourites were Its a Fire and Glory Box. Vocals were great and sounded like it could have been inspiration for Massive Attack
Man, felt like a Pierce Brosnan 007 movie. Liked it.
As soon as I saw "electronic," I cringed but this was such a cool album. Vocals are so smooth and sexy and mixed with the smokey dark vibe, it's perfect.
I wish I would have heard this when it came out in 1994. I first heard this album in 2000 or so. By that time other (lesser) bands had adopted this style and this was passe in a way. Despite my late arrival to Portishead I am a big fan of both albums on this list. This album is a 5 if you account for how influential it was/is. On its own merits it is a 4. The singing is excellent and the rest of the music fills in around her voice very admirably. The samples are very common for hip hop music at the time. That is not to say they are common samples i.e. James Brown or Apache, but rather how they are used is as you would expect. This is not a detriment as DJ Premier did the same on the first Jeru the Damaja album, he even used much more common samples to equal success.
Glory Box is funky
Ett sound som inte går att ta miste på. Oerhört snyggt även om en större variation i låtarna inte skadat. Å andra sidan blir det nu ett sammanhållet album. Glory box är lika fin idag som när det en gång begav sig.
Jag har inte lyssnat ordentligt på Dummy de senaste 20 åren. Jag tycker det har åldrats väldigt väl. Jag vill minnas en intervju i Musikbyrån där Portishead med bestämdhet tog avstånd från genren trip-hop eftersom de fanns så många usla band då som Portishead inte ville bli förknippande med. Flera starka låtar, ett sound som verkligen sticker ut. Beth Gibbons röst är perfekt för låtarna. Möjligen blir låtarna för lika varandra när man lyssnar på albumet i sin helhet från början till slut. Men överlag ett mycket bra album.
I see why so many have called this the originator (or epitome) of trip-hop. But it's darker and slower than a lot of other trip-hop I've heard. For me, the vocals almost but don't quite work with the instrument sound. But this is groundbreaking and mesmerizing work, for sure.
love a weird 90s album
Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would
Trip-hop like Portishead's other album on this list. I can't imagine why - other than this band being British Portishead has two albums on the list. This one definitely should be here. 4/5
I dig Portishead and all their offshoots. This album in particular is tied to a specific era for me but I think it has aged well.
****A good easy listening album
They all kinda sound the same but I love the vibe so much.
Nice and chill album. classic.
Yummy
A good groove, would definitely listen again
Really funky stuff. Definitely a must listen, but some parts were notably more mind blowing than others.
Pretty interesting
Boring, but makes up for it by being cool. If I was in the right place, this is an easy 5; however, sitting in my office, this album doesn't cut it. It's not a "listen anywhere" type.
Did not expect them to sound like this. Pretty good for what for what it was.
Cool
LOVED, I only knew one song, the most famous one and I think I’m gonna listen to this album all together more now
8/10… trip hop/ melancholy
Yeeeeeah buddy
Dark and beautiful
Spooky
i liked this vibe but didn’t have time to finish. i’d go back and try this album again at some point
Still nobody that sounds like this.
A couple of albums on this list had got me thinking that trip-hop as a genre just hasn’t aged particularly well, but Dummy proved me wrong. It’s just so atmospheric and cinematic.
I didn't know what to expect going into this album. I like it more than I had anticipated and will check out their other stuff.
I was looking for reasons to not give it a 4, so I'm being generous
Great Songs: Sour Times, Strangers, Wandering Star, It's A Fire, Numb Good Songs: Mysterons, It Could Be Sweet, Roads, Pedestal, Biscuit, Glory Box Mid Songs: Bad Songs:
I'm so sorry to my teen self that I didn't listen to this then. I mean, I still dig it, but *man*....
I read "electronic music band" in the description and was prepared to hate this. It ended up being the opposite of what I was expecting. It was so calming. I liked all but one song. They do all sound very similar though
Ooh, this was a really cool album. The hip-hop elements and sampling was really cool along with the singers voice which sounded really nice. VERY solid album by Portishead.
Awesome sounds. I knew I was liked this record but it's been a very long time and I never had a huge relationship with it. It's definitely a beautiful mooving thing. I can't quite keep focus with every step of it personally.
A bit mellow and sounds the same. But got better as the album went on
First time I’ve been this surprised and really enjoyed it!
It’s practically perfect, what do you want from me??
Really interesting listen. One of the few things that sounds like Radiohead before Radiohead (Bjork & NIN are others). Had a couple famous songs and very cool trip-hop vibes.
Dark trippy and unique
If this would allow 4.5 stars I'd give it, but even though this album is a standout of the era and is so original and impressive, it is VERY cold, which stops me playing it often and giving it top marks
If I did not know better, I might think Portishead's Dummy falls into the soundtrack-to-non-existent-movie genre. Regardless, I am a sucker for trip hop. Thus, I am here for it.
This was interesting... I like a few of the songs at the end "Pedestal" and "Glory Box"
Está chulo pero creo que no lo escucharé mucho más
Zapomniałam o istnieniu tego zespołu! A szkoda, bo jest wybitny. Nie lubię trip hopu, ale ten klimat, ten leniwy wokal, ta senna, oniryczna atmosfera. Cudo! 8/10
Great album, have it on vinyl. Very cold and dark and super clear that it’s portishead. There’s really not much else like it. It’s great, but not all timer great.
Dummy was an instant classic when it came out, and it still holds up 20 years later. I knew of this album, and Portishead, but had never really sat down and listened to it. It's great.
One of the best trip hop albums of all time. High 4 very enjoyable
Enjoyed this album. Went into it expecting it to be quite depressing, but wasn't really that vibe. I knew i enjoyed sour times and glory box going into this album so am glad i came out of the album with a few more tracks.
Sublime. Low key electronica/pop. Reminds me of zero7.
still good
Insane production. Beautiful vocals. It's a classic for a reason.
I didn't know what to expect, but I love it
Honestly, the covers I have heard of Portishead songs seem better than the original thing, but it is still a 4.
Haunting and lovely
хорошо, качественно, чувственно, уникально. звучание интересное. но не цепляет
Liked this album a lot, and a lot of the music I enjoy is downwind of this album influence-wise. Just wish there was a little more variety.
Very close to a 5 star album. Great use of samples and original music with some great melodies over the top.
Terrific album, and innovative for its time.
Brings me back.. love the vibe of this
A true classic.But I have to be in the mood for it.
Aaahhhhhh😩 Quin album mes hot
040925 16:25 4
Love the sub-bass in some tracks (Pedestal). I'm intrigued enough by the music that I want to keep listening to see what else it has to offer. So far, haven't been disappointed. The genre is different from what I usually listen to, but I don't mind what I'm hearing at all. I like the sound of the female vocalist. Roads - Love the way it begins, hooked instantly. 5* I can see myself playing this one again.
Quite interesting; reminded me of Bjork in several songs. 8/10
Always a decent listen though a bit monotone and dreary
The vocals kinda remind me of Garbage. I'm not a huge fan of whispy female singers, but this album has some nice moments. 4* Highlights: sour times
kenn ich schon hihi ist stark aber nicht sooo brett
A perfect album for a rainy day. It's a particular vibe and I wouldn't be able to listen to this at any time. The jazzy electronica and great vocal lines sang by an incredibly beautiful voice make this one of the chillest albums I've listened to. 4/5
Great album. Great voice. Great sound of the 90s.
Easy listening at its finest.
In a nutshell: trip hop noir. One of the best debut albums of the 90s. A reviewer from NME mentioned "post-ambient" which checks out. It emits an enigmatic coolness without trying hard. In my opinion, a level up from their peers Massive Attack. Trip hop is one of those genres where you need to be in the mood for, so I can understand why it has detractors. If you dig this, listen to Roseland NYC Live. Portishead added a ten piece orchestral ensemble to the mix. Compared to Metallica's S&M, the ensemble and the Bristol trio bounce off each other. They compliment rather than being "the backing band". Overall: 8/10
It's chill, hiphoppy, I like it. Sounds great with headphones.
Absolutely classic. Very chilled. Great for background
Angry, Angry Johnny..... Such a mood and ambiance throughout. Sultry, aching, and quietly vicious.
This is really nice!
Strange but surprisingly enjoyable. Don't think I ever heard anything from Portishead a thing that needs to change.
electro, detente, pourrait passer sur fip
My sister (or brother) had a copy of this album when I was child. I vaguely remember the cover sitting in a CD stand during the 90s. So, I was eager to see what this was all about. A nice mix of electronic and contemporary music. What was surprising was each song started with a sad depressing and often quite strange melody. Only then to become something catchy and enjoyable as the song peaked. The ender had 'She's So Heavy' style arpeggios (love a bit of that!). And overally a pleasant listen.
For an album I thought i wouldn't like i was plesently surprised. Good use of actual samples, interesting vocal performance and nice arrangements. Hip hop pop vibe. An enjoyable listen.
Wish it was longer, so good such an art piece kinda reminds me of men I trust
the sound here is so precise it feels like its own portal you opened up, I love the feeling it gives off so much
I like it. Nothing crazy, but an interesting listen.
Trip hop
I really enjoyed this. Not sure if it is a regular listen but worth remembering.
Ik kende de naam wel, maar nooit echt naar geluisterd. Wat een verademing na een reeks min of meer matige albums. Hele relaxte muziek, maar wordt niet saai of gaat vervelen.
Dacht als jonge tiener dat bands altijd minder vet waren met een frontvrouw. Boy was I wrong, dit is een van de albums die me dat destijds in hebben laten zien :)
Super atmospheric and chill. Loved it anticipating a lot of low-key electronic while maintaining a very 90s aesthetic with the sampling, mixing, and record scratching
There's a lot to love here. From the atmospheric instrumentation to Beth Gibbons' unique and alluring vocal style. "Dummy" captures, swallows you whole and releases you back into the real world. Trippy, enchanting and wonderfully engineered. Keeps a consistent vibe and temperature throughout without ever feeling bland or repetitive. Definitely sets the bar high early and keeps delivering through to the end. 4.5/5
Спокойный альбом, навевающий грусть. 6,5 из 10.
This is the second Portishead album that I was assigned. The first one, "Third", sounded like an embodiment of every anxiety attack I've ever had. It was not good to me at all. "Dummy", on the other hand, left me pleasantly surprised. Beth's vocals are perfect over the background beats. The songs are a bit haunting and mellow, but remain cool. This album really shows the kind of beauty that can be made with simplicity.
Cool. Really liked the atmosphere, a bit magical
Quite enjoyed that
Really liked this one…nice to listen to while working
Portishead is one of those acts that I've been meaning to do a deep dive into for a while but for whatever reason never got around to it. This album is great, I love the way the gentle vocals and orchestration are pitted against relentless booming bass and drums. Big vibes on this one
I am a huge fan of Trip Hop so this was an easy listen. Love the vibe and her voicings. Each listen makes me want for more.
After finding out this was a trip-hop album I didn't think I'd like it. It sounded like it would be all the worst bits of genres I'm not particularly fond of. I also thought this will be difficult to review after only one listen, as the music does undeniably sound quite similar. I did enjoy it though. The delicate yet icy beats are great. It's sleek, chilled out, elegant, and those vocals are so good. They're cold yet lovely and they fit the stripped back, dark sounding music perfectly. I really like the eerie sound they manage to create, particularly on tracks like 'Numb', 'Biscuit' and 'Glory Box' which also had some cool distorted guitar soloing throughout. 'It Could Be So Sweet' sticks out as a vocal highlight.. This one also sounds slightly more optimistic sounding track. As I said before, the music does bleed together a bit, but this is one I will be coming back to with a good set of earphones to give a fairer chance, but for now, it's a four.
Pretty good stuff. I had not listened to this in more than 20 years and I had some nice moments of deja vu. “Dummy” was so different to anything coming out of the UK at the time. It was fresh, the music is technically proficient, the rhythms and beats are perfect and the mood is hypnotic. I understand even more why this was so influential. A few tracks on the second half of the album are a bit boring, but the highlights are excellent. Well worth a listen 👍
Gloomy triphop meets a beautifully haunting voice. Sour times, its a fire, ..roads and glory box are standout tracks that are all great on their own. And yet, i like this album even more because it works in its entirety with every song flowing smoothly into the next one. Mezzanine by massive attack could probably not exist without this lp. 4 stars because it is missing this one iconic single.
Still great.
This is the landmark trip-hop album for me. I don't think it's my favorite trip-hop album. But it's the one that got me liking trip-hop.
If you’re expecting a genre defining manifesto of an album then only a few tracks deliver. If you’re not it defines a genre.
Bought this for one song based on the video Sour Times. The rest of the album was a treat. Great vibe on this, and it is atypical of my taste overall.
Toujours aussi bon.
I really like their sound!! It is vibey and funky but sounds a little melancholy and haunted, if that makes sense. I would have never heard or listened to them without this, so very thankful for that.
Very good: consistent sound, sounds like an album
Perfect for concentration at work
I recognise a few of the songs off this album, think from adverts or tv shows. Think a few I know had been covers? Really enjoying it.
I like the super-intelligent shade of blue on the cover, which somehow does matter. Spooky, ethereal, mysterious. Trip-hop is cool to me but also can get a little tiring over the (not-so) long haul, but for the most part this one doesn't seem to drag on too long. Right length, a few classics of the genre which give a real film noir kind of feel to a lot of it. I like that the album works either as background and (occasional) active listening. Not sure how often I'd put the entire album on but I like everything here - a keeper and perfect encapsulation/sampler of trip-hop overall. 8/10 4 stars.
Very cool, chill sound. Just kind of one-note throughout. But amazing, trippy production.
Con razón todos le chupan el ojete. Muy bueno. Definitivamente para escuchar más del disco y la banda. Nota: 4.0
The music is atmospheric. This is a very low-key album, too low-key for me at times, and I have to be in the mood to listen to this album all the way through, otherwise it doesn't hold my attention. It's not go-to music for me. That said, Four stars. Would I listen to this album again? Yes. Would I buy this album? Yes, I did. 1 "Mysterons" - Great title. Mysterious noises (Theramin). - 4 Stars. 2 "Sour Times" - Sounds like a 1960s spy tv or film theme. Lovely mournful voice. - 5 Stars. 3 "Strangers" - 3 Stars. 4 "It Could Be Sweet" - 3 Stars. 5 "Wandering Star" 3 Stars. 6 "It's a Fire" - 3 Stars. 7 "Numb" - 4 Stars. 8 "Roads" - 3 Stars. 9 "Pedestal" - 3 Stars. 10 "Biscuit" - 4 Stars. 11 "Glory Box" - Saving the best until last! Excellent, gnarly guitar. - 5 Stars. Total - 40 Average - 3.64
Ah, Portishead. Very interesting album. Like a sexy jazzy sounding James Bond vibe combined with Hip-Hop. Glory Box will forever be one of my favourite songs.
♫ Listening to "Wandering Star" by Portishead (Dummy, 1994) ♫
The influence is undeniable. It's of its era but transcends it.
I didn’t think there could be a better record for travelling by train than Burial’s ‘Untrue’… this gives it a real run for its money.
Pretty good
Good n weird, raw n gritty. Production is all great, and lyrics take us on a fun journey. Gotta start being the dbag that won’t shut up about Portishead
Vibey
I got this on a nice rainy summer day. I love [sad 90s women sounds]
I wish this album had Glory Box on it three times but other than that it's really good
På sitt beste er stemningen og melodiene fem stjerner. Men det er for få virkelig sterke melodier til å forsvare en topp karakter.
Fantastic album. It’s a vibe all on its own even after all these years.
Æ tror faktisk aldri æ har hørt hele albumet før, men det va fint, sjøl om det hørtes ut som æ tenkte at det kom til å høres ut.
Love Beth's voice and the overall sound.Intriuing lyrics
Excellent chill ambient music.
Some tracks were duds, but I'd like to listen to many again. I liked the vocals and some of the 'trip hop' instrumentals/music itched my brain in a good way.
Amazing!
very mysterious trip hop music. it's like the music that echoes from a murky jazz club, hiding between all the other buildings with a neon light that's struggling to stay on. it's depressing, but it's a beautiful depressing, all wrapped in velvet. i like the atmosphere it sets for the listener. there's a few tracks here and there that really capture my interest, especially with some of the vocals paired with some really faint and eerie beats. there's a bit that lingers on here and there, but i mean... i think this one was pretty cool. if you're looking for something sensible and lo-fi, this one is a good pick.
Soo very chill. Has some massive attack vibes. Great song composition, appropriate vocals, great electronics
actually rather good! i enjoyed this album and have admittedly not listened to a lot of portishead in a while!
Good listen 🎶
Such a vibe. Really cool drums and sounds throughout. Love the western guitar on sour times Roads is cool, i like her singing, its fragile in a cool way.bass is cool on pedestal. Really dig the vibes and sounds, it does get a little repetitive though and maybe lacking a little depth or something. Not quite a 5
People always think I should like them and I only think they are ok. Good for this project
Oh yeah this is great. I'll listen to this again.
This album creates an atmosphere like no other piece of music I have heard. I find it hard to describe. Hypnotic, electronic, and hypnagogic.
4 5
Tää oli hyvä jumitus
Ended strong. I'm torn because some felt mediocre to my ears. Probably a 3.5
strong contender for the sexiest sounding album. gonna leave it at a 4 for now but im sure a few more listens and it will be up to a 5!
Favorite Songs: It Could Be Sweet
Straight out the motherfuckin dungeons of trip-hop. Shout out Portis and shout out Head. Those whites were on to something. Also, go listen to Beth Gibbon's solo LP from last year. 9/10 Favorite Songs: It's a Fire/Roads/Glory Box
Mildly Spooky
Plutôt bonne découverte, je kiffe la voix, l'album s'écoute tranquillou. Fun fact quand j'arrive enfin sur Glory Box et que je me dis "Aaaaaaaaaaaaah mais c'était eeeeuuuuuuuux ce morceau"
A mind-broadening approach to alternative. Quite reminicent of late-night 90’s and 2000’s
Ain’t no dummy here
Nice, haunting but relaxing somehow.
"Roads" is a fantastic song
Ah, nostalgic 90's trip hop. I LOVE IT! Sour Times is a classic, as is Wondering Star. Buscuit is the favorite for me. Such a dope album. 4.
Ultimate chill. Highlights: Sour Times, Wandering Star, Glory Box.
I really shouldn't like this. Not 'my type' of music at all.. but that's why I am playing this game. I really enjoyed this. Brilliant vocals. Atmospheric. Made me actually listen. 4/5.
3.9 This blew my mind when I first got into this at 12-13. So futuristic for 1994, sounds fresh even now. However, I think it's slightly let down by the weaker tracks. A few tracks float by without contributing much, which is a shame when other like Roads and Glory Box hit deep. It's a fire wasn't on my CD version back in the day, so it's jarring hearing it plonked right in the middle here, sounding so out of place. An unnecessary inclusion.
dreamy, idyllic, weirdly sexy - yes yes and yes
Cool beats very dark, clean, unique sound, put-together
I've had another Portishead album on this generator before (Third). This is one of those bands that surprised the hell out of me. Never heard of them before this generator. They are a trip hop band (hip hop crossed with electronica). These guys are like ....doom trip hop? It's got this dark brooding feel to it, but it has a super catchy beat. I really don't mind it at all. Pretty solid! Favorite songs: Wandering Star, Strangers, Sour Times, Mysterons, Glory Box Least favorite songs: It Could Be Sweet 4/5
interesting
Solid
Got Third yesterday and now Dummy today. Decided to just go ahead and listen to the second one as well to complete the journey. Spoiler alert they’re all great
A wonderful application of sampling and turntablism. I remembered this as being a lot more one-dimensional spy-film trip hop. There's definitely a lot of that stuff but the sampling is much more diverse than I remember. Mysterons opens with some turntablism before Beth Gibbons comes in sounding like Grace Slick when she's being sultry. Eerie theremins and and subtly impossible drum fills anchor the piece. Sour Times is pure Lalo Schiffrin. Makes me wonder how much of an influence this album was on east England's Photek et al in the later 90s rather than the Bristol crowd. Strangers has anxious dial tones anchoring 1920s jazz guitar and milquetoast hollywood numbers. Wandering Star keeps the dial tone concept going, this time with an anxious baseline. Its a Fire could be a modern pop song before the hammond organ comes in. I do have to admit that by the time I got to Numb the album had faded into the background a bit. Its cinematic quality is great but it doesn't necessarily grab you by the collar and force you to pay attention. The exception of course being the last single and the last track on the album, Glory Box, which slays. I think most of the band had been tangentially involved in music for a decade before they formed Portishead and they were in their late 30s. It feels really mature compared to most electronic music from that era. Doesn't feel like its trying to get into the future, but also isn't just retromania, really sounds like accomplished musicians creating something new.
Dreamy, lowkey alt
Nice vibes and love to listen to it while working Fav song - Glory Box 4/5
Very good and very soulful
Random thoughts: * Sadly, I did not get into trip hop in the 90s. My tastes were not refined enough or I just wasn't cool enough for it. I'm bummed that I missed this when it was new. * I'm glad I found this music recently. I'm a big fan. I actually discovered this through the podcast 60 songs that explain the 90s. I guess my tastes are more refined now because clearly I'm still not cool. * Beth Gibbons voice over that ominous music is a great mixture. * I listened to this on a rainy morning commute which is pretty good atmosphere for this album. Daylight is not the time for this album. This is late night listening material.
Another strong nostalgia flashback - still great
5 stars if you're having sex while listening.
Ciekawy album tworzący swój własny świat, ma bardzo melancholijny nastrój. Ton gitary jest świetny. Muszę przesłuchać jeszcze raz, bo trochę słabo pamiętam. Ulubiona piosenka: Glory box
Definitely preferred their eponymous one, but this shows the beginnings of their sound
Took me back to some junior year of high school MTV buzzbin memories. This has aged quite well. But not the most consistent throughout.
Great, love ‘em.
Запись хорошо, но был совсем не в настроении на музыку вчера.
I enjoyed this alot, very immersive and well-realized. Incredibly, this sounds like it could have come out in the last five years, both in terms of production quality (it is beautiful with good headphones) and style. It's undoubtedly plundering the best of what was going on in hip hop around this time, but equally there are significant elements of Dummy's intricate soundscape that have had major moments in recent popular music: the atmospheric, almost gothic aesthetic is all over the Lana Del Rey-Lorde-Billie Eilish pop lineage, and the vibe-heavy, emo-on-benzos production had a moment with a particularly shitty kind of rap coming out in the late 2010s, and lofi hip hop more generally. Who knows much direct influence Dummy had on those artists but at the very least it speaks to how ahead of its time this blend of sound was. There may be contemporary Portishead analogs that I find more interesting (that are hopefully on this list) and the vocalist wears thin by the end, but this is a high 4 for me.
I liked this album a whole lot when I first heard it over a decade ago, but admittedly it hasn’t had much play time for me over the years. Dummy is equal parts haunting, mysterious, spooky, and disquieting. The music is effective, and retains a distinct identity in the trip-hop genre 30 years after release. However, Portishead offers little breathing room for the listener over Dummy’s runtime. The band’s sound can leave the listener searching for diversity amid the onslaught of record scratches and blips. Thankfully, Glory Box is there to blow the lid off the building tension on the album’s close. (And what a finale it is). Dummy’s themes have always gone a bit over my head, but I feel the album does such an efficient job of marrying Beth Gibbons’ vocals with the cold and oppressive soundscapes that you kind of get the idea anyway. By no means a genre I’m comfortable with, but Dummy scratches by with 4/5
Pleasant enough trip hop likely sounds a lot better at a club slow dancing with someone you fancy.
Great album. Very well balanced between underground trip hop and mainstream appeal. This album definitely stands the test of time.
Lol
Probably one my most 'local' albums of the 1001, beats that still bang and a voice that is still beautiful. More importantly a stylistic and genre defining piece.
Have heard of but never listened to Portishead. I liked the vibes
It definitely scratches a specific itch in my brain Half way between a 3 and 4
Enjoyed the listen. 7.5/10
Great dark moody vibes to this one. Need a trenchcoat in the rain, like a blade runner city or something. Gives mystery feelings
I'd forgotten quite how good this is. Bit nonplussed to see it on the list but listening back, it's a perfectly cut gem of a record. One of those rarities perhaps, where the reality is actually better than its status. Barely a flat spot on it, a coherent and unique sound, brilliant musicianship. It's fantastic
I liked this album. The production was really cool and tight. Favorite songs were Roads and Wandering Star. Many songs on here could’ve been James Bond songs. The vocals weren’t very interesting or impressive. Some of the aspects of this album reminded me of the Gorrillaz.
Incredibly strong sample work highlight an album that would be damn near perfect if they found a lead singer who didn't sound like she was hiding from her parents at 11pm with how goddamn quiet and flat she was most of the time and how often the producers focused on "chill beats" before anyone even invented that term. The first section of this albums incredible, I love Sour Times to death and I was certain it would be one of my favorite albums. Unfortunately, the interesting sampledelia gave way to a neutered Ute Lemper doing Lofi Beats to Study/Relax to. Started this album in love with it, ended almost mad at it. Still a 4 out of 5, the great songs reverberate through my childhood taste in music. There ain't a MS MR without this I bet.
Good good.
This was a good choice for an Easter Sunday listen. Great sounds, nice sparse production. There are some fascinating notes on how they created their own samples on the Wikipedia article too. She has a great distinctive voice too.
Have listened to this before and didn't like it. This time I really sunk in and enjoyed the unique sound!
Chill album. Overall solid, most songs are nothing crazy, but there are a few great songs, and every track on here is solid in its own right.
Classic trip hop album.
My initial reaction to seeing this was another 90s electronic album was dismissal and dismay, but the first song is so far actually kinda cool. I wish it had a little more going on dynamically, but I like the sonic environment, it's mysterious, dangerous, and intriguing. So this turned into a cool vibing trip and I'm glad I was able to find it through this project.
nie posluchalem calego ale fajne bylo
A really cool and atmospheric record
With its revolutionary sound and timeless production, "Dummy" has been proclaimed "the best album of the 90s." While I think "Grace" by Jeff Buckley deserves that title, I will credit Portishead for popularizing the trip-hop genre. They has a distinctive, an eery, almost desolate sound: Whenever a Portishead song comes on Spotify, I always go "Aha! This is going to be a great listen." Although I prefer "Third"—which is more polished—"Dummy" is a fantastic debut in its own right.
Enjoyed this
I consider it to not be a regular album. The woman who sings is in a deep kind of pain, thoughts. Sometimes she's talking about the world problems, the human soul but also about relationships, probably inspired from her personal life. The melody of her songs are all monotone and slow which makes you feel more sad, we really have the impression it's not music but a sort of complaint, there's also many repeted words and expressions in many of album's songs to make the feelings reach deeper. In overall, it's not my genre at all, I'm more into Evanescence kind of stuff when it comes to society problems, and she really is fire, but other music also opens new point of views, which I consider important.
Classic album
it was an experience 8 out of 10
Deeper instrumentals, interesting lyrics that provide a certain depth to the songs
Music for uncomfortable, sleepless nights.
Oh no... it's the misery chick again... Actually, this one wasn't as bad as the last one... hooks are much tighter, and the vocals (while still not very strong) aren't quite as washed out... If I were going to throw a pity party, this is the album I'd choose... but I hate parties... of any kind... Seriously - this was pretty decent, though.
90s, fun. I could hear the sounds of Delirious and other such things
Apparently this was one of the first trip hop albums. So by influence alone it's a pretty big deal, and I do like the emotions it evokes.
Very calm and ethereal. Good for listening to during work.
Really like this
A fantastic album that fills in the spaces in the room, like warm soup on a cold, winter's day.
A defining 90s classic
really cool, enjoyed it and definitely unique
New one for me this and loved it
Refreshingly different
משוגע
Excellent album. Out of the several trip hop albums I've got so far, this might be the best. Vocalist Beth Gibbons is kind of the star of the show, and delivers performances that are really tuned to the songs. She manages to hit just the right spot the song calls for, whether it's a sort of desperation in her voice, a kind of wistfulness, smokiness, sexiness. And these tracks, the samples here, the beats, are incredible. It feels like a blend of hip hop and old film soundtracks that's absolutely seamless. This sounds fresh to me now, I can't imagine how fresh it did in 1994. Fav tracks: Mysterons, Sour Times, It Could Be Sweet, It's a Fire, Glory Box
Most every song sounds about the same but that’s alright. It’s lovely.
Really like the vibe, great band and inspired some of my favourite albums
The famous tracks are all time classics that make my hair stand on end from the start. The rest, however, don’t quite live up to the hype. To be fair it is an exceptionally high bar. My word, I feel like this thing is starting to make me more picky
Phenomenal album, and somewhat counter to when it was released. Still sounds fresh today.
Great Trip-Hop. Portishead has such a unique sound. Reading about some of the techniques they used to make this album made me like it even more. They were really going for something here. I could put this album on in the background and listen for hours. This is another album where I can understand why people might not like it, but I think it's just fantastic.
When I saw how I rated "Third", I thought I was in for another long listen. Thankfully, I enjoyed this album much more. The comparison that keeps crossing my mind is that it's Lofi but make it 90's and add a vocalist. The drum and bass goes hard too.
Creepy and dreamy - feels a little like a movie soundtrack for a psychological thriller.
Good stuff noir jazz Dark shit
Took a minute for the vibe to get to me. A unique noir sound that I haven't heard before blending jazz, RnB, and blues.