Dummy

It’s practically perfect, what do you want from me??

Lovely

Wow. I don't know what I expected when I saw that this was a more ambient album, but I was completely blindsided by what is one of my favourite albums to date. It's hauntingly beautiful, unsettling and intimate. One of my common criticisms of albums on here is that things sound boring or samey, but this has a simplicity that somehow defies that idea that simple or repetitive equals boring. It's so rich and full, even though a lot of the music involves just exploring one loop or idea. I cannot give this anything other than a 5, which it has earned completely.

Another no-skip, big trip-hop vibes

Am I missing something here, or is it considered edgy to hype this album? It sounds like the kind of music Radio 6 listeners force themselves to like. I just don’t get it. Someone reviewed this album and rated every song a 9 or a 10!! I wish I could say the same, but it all sounds so monotone and forgettable to me.

One of my top 100!

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

Great album. Listened to it more times than I can count as a teenager. Still slaps.

Glory Box natürlich n bekannter Song und war mir nicht klar das der von dieser Band ist. Ich fand das Album aber generell etwas "weinerlich", also klang so wie n dutzend Klagelieder :-/

Zwischen 2 und 4 sterne alles dabei, mal gut, mal lahm

je sais pas pourquoi je me disais que j’allais l’aimer, c’est de l’electronica :/ Glory Box est acceptable, mais c’est probablement juste parce que je l’ai déjà entendue

Impeccable. For a 90s metal kid this was mindblowing - dusty jazz samples, boom bap, and the most haunting, elegant voice. Sour Times and Glory Box are perfect, and there are no "bad" tracks. The only possible downside is that it deserves to be listened to properly, not as background music.

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

Damn, invisible ninjas be chopping onions again... Before talking about the record, I want to give a bit of personal background. About three years ago, I decided to check out 'Mezzanine' by Massive Attack, as I was getting into the trip hop scene. Once I got familiar with that album, I moved on to 'Dummy', as they are both regarded as the primal examples of Trip Hop. Nevertheless, I felt quite dissappointed with this one. What I love about 'Mezzanine' is how insanely good the production is. Listening to that album is a similar feeling to touching the smoothest material of the world. Meanwhile, Dummy's sound is more stripped back and rough when it comes to the beats. This is the reason why I've never really got into the album... until not so long ago. About a year ago, I started to listen to some of the songs of the album again, and its sound started to grow on me little by little, but still haven't returned to listen to the full project. Now, this list gave me the opportunity to give this album another try that I was waiting for. Conclusion? Absolutely worth it. This record may be one of the darkest, saddest and more emotional albums ever. I don't think I've ever heard this level of pain and sorrow being portrayed in a human voice. Makes me consider Beth Gibbons as one of, if not the greatest singer of all time. But is not all about her. The beats are also a crucial element to creat the dark atmosphere of the record. They can sound a bit rough at times, but they always do a great job accompanying the voice and adding a lot of character. So yes, this album may not be perfect, but it is incredible. My favourite songs are 'Sour Times', 'Wandering Star' and 'Roads', but every song here shines in their own way.

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.

Classic

This was interesting... I like a few of the songs at the end "Pedestal" and "Glory Box"

ha... is het album al voorbij? sorry, ergens halverwege tweede nummer in slaap gesukkeld... wel goeie muziek daarvoor

One of my favourite albums of all time

Favorite Track: Sour Times

One of my favorite albums of all time.

Está chulo pero creo que no lo escucharé mucho más

Strong 3 Was originally skeptical upon the first minute or so, but got more into it in time. Didn’t leave much of an impression beyond being a chill 90s vibe that I was cool. Fun to come across “Glory Box”, which I’ve been aware of/heard for a long time.

very weird and i liked it

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.

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

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.

Not impressed. Emo band that does not have a vibe and is not in the same league as The Cure. Not impressed.

At first I thought I would like it, at least a little but... well. There are a pair of good songs, but the album loses its interest really quickly. I went from "well!" (in a good sense) to "meh..." so fast. And, I think it's the thing with this album. Most songs are just the same thing all the time. They feel repetitive, as if there wasn't any kind of differentiation between them. And, so, it ends up being really boring (not to talk about how plain some songs are).

Pretty good, I prefer the jazzy/soulful side of trip hop that this shows - but the scooby doo keyboards and scratching doesn't do it

upea

Had the UK version on CD and listened to loads. Love listening whilst working and chilling out on my own.

One of the best trip hop albums of all time. High 4 very enjoyable

This is a very smart, refined record with a restrained spy thriller quality to it. I'd love to see a Portishead themed James Bond movie. I quite like trip hop as it turns out, but I don't love it as much as others. All the singles on this record are top drawer, but the album tracks leave me feeling a little fidgety. Something about the combination of dramatic, slow moving vocals and crispy, clicky production works better in some moments than it does in others.

Has grown into a low 5 for me over the years

Moody atmospheric electro-indie. Some eastern influences on Sour Times. Hints of later trap and dream pop? Female vocals quite soulful. Scratching/samples in Wandering Star Really not a fan, but I can't fault it technically. Best track - Biscuit, Glory Box 3 stars

rædsom. 1

Not for me

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.

Awesome. No skip album.

Super groovy, super clean production, and just overall a really interesting listen. I wasn’t really hooked until i listened to Roads early in the morning at an empty office and felt some kind of something.

Sublime. Low key electronica/pop. Reminds me of zero7.

I love this album. It's interesting musically, moody, & sexy.

still good

*Appreciate the musicianship, but it felt that it sounded the same by the end. *Sounds like a James Bond soundtrack

First album i tested my new car subwoofer with; uses low frequencies so well, really making them one of the main musical elements rather than just an afterthought

It was good

Insane production. Beautiful vocals. It's a classic for a reason.

I didn't know what to expect, but I love it

a foundational album that everyone needs to listen to at some point in their lives.

Honestly, the covers I have heard of Portishead songs seem better than the original thing, but it is still a 4.

There are particular tracks that I really love on this, but its a great example of how to do an album.The entire sound and presence of it takes me in, and I'm never bored.

One of my favourite albums of all time. It's nice and chill and interesting, always a nice listen. I don't have all of the songs already but I'm still happy listening to even the ones I don't have liked on Spotify. It's a very nice trip-hop album. It's also one of my go-to jogging albums so I might be a little biased. I especially like Roads - it's definitely one of my favourite songs of all time. 5/5 stars.

Pas mon try

Haunting and lovely

Absolutely adore this one.

I like the feel of this, but it's definitely not my go to. I remember when the album came out and it didn't really excite me then either. I can appreciate the influence though.

93/100. Dummy by Portishead is not only one of the best trip-hop albums ever made, but truly one of the best albums of all time. The atmosphere and tone are absolutely spectacular, drenched in moody textures and haunting vocals. It flows with a hypnotic consistency, pulling you into its world from the very first track.

An moody and atmospheric trip hop masterpiece

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.

Dummy might be my #1 album from this entire list. It's just so amazing. The mix of tortured vocals, strings, brass, interesting percussion, record scratching and other electronic stuff, bluesy guitar, everything. It really changed music for me when I first heard it, and it still holds up. Incredible album.

If this album doesn't remind you of the time you drew Santa named, from life, you are doing something wrong.

I think like the XX, I'm out on my own from the rest of the group on this one. It might be that I never listen to music in album form and this one altogether feels especially a bit much - hard to hear with fresh ears, hard to enjoy when I'm already hating the short days and cooler weather and am just not in the mood for music to slit my wrists to.

Confession: with that name I always envision screaming metal music. I was wrong. This was very good.

Terrific album, and innovative for its time.

I’m good with these speakeasy albums for a while.

My cousin has been trying to get me to like this band for 20 years and I still don’t really get it. It’s good fall asleep music though if you want to have a few bad dreams

Ehhh, not my favorite. It’s like if Fiona Apple got herself a synth and became even more depressed.

The quintessential trip-hop album? Goddamn these beats mixed with the vocals...this thing fucks.

Brings me back.. love the vibe of this

Best Trip Hop Album out there!

Great work. I was hungover this day, so very happy to see this album instead of something like The Cure (still can't get over the 2-day streak of that). AI helped me plan the full Irish breakfast for the lads and Portishead got me into the groove to execute.

A true classic.But I have to be in the mood for it.

Wandering Star is so GOATed it isnt even funny

Meh

Ok kinda chill but I couldn’t tell what was going on for most of it

A perfect album

Aaahhhhhh😩 Quin album mes hot

040925 16:25 4

4,5/10. Sin más, reconozco que tendrá valor musical para mucha gente, pero a mí me aburre y algunas canciones hasta me ponen nervioso. Solo conocía la de "Glory Box".

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.

Good but not their best

Enjoyed Glory Box and Sour Times

Definitely not the energy I needed today, a good album, loved the beats, but a bit snoozy in parts. Thought I would have loved this album from back to front but it just didn't really do it for me.

Quite interesting; reminded me of Bjork in several songs. 8/10

A lot of cool beats and seems like the predecessor to lofi. Not a huge fan of the lead singer's voice though. A few of the songs were catchy, but the album seems a bit repetitive. 6/10

Helt okej album, tycker musik är cool men inte så häftig. Vissa coola låtar men inte riktigt min smak.

I liked it. I can see the inspiration it had for Alessia Cara and other groups. A 2.75

Smooth production. At times, a spooky ethereal sound. Nice background electronic music. 3.5 stars, it's good but a little too chill to stand out.

Always a decent listen though a bit monotone and dreary

Not my thing. I get (I think) why it’s on the list - first trip-hop record, influential, etc. - it’s just not anything that I really enjoy listening to.

Female vocals over some decently produced, chill, slower, 90's hip hop beats, thought I would hate it, but wasn't hard to listen to. Still not really for me.

I heard about Portishead but never heard or remembered a song by them... Yeah, this must be one of those cult following band. No singing... only whispering. must be horrible for the sound technician that has to lower everything to match the low level. Do the band perform on a separate venue to not overpower her? Not for me

A masterpiece. Everything about this album is perfection.

Already had Glorybox saved as a fav song. The rest of the album was really good.

Cool feel to the album. Songs mesh together and almost feel repetitive. Pole girl shit for sure

2,2/5

Glory Box is sublime, rest not so much.

If 3 AM had a sound.

Trip hop you say... Atmospheric, but not in a good way. Mercury Prize, yeah right on, you have to be kidding me, it's terrible.

What an insanely good sound. Starts strong, finishes stronger.

Spooky ghost music for cool spooky teens

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

I get it. This sounds mostly like a slogging washing machine. =]. Can I stop here? So I need to justify a 5? Alright, I admit it, I'm biased. Imagine the scenario, a dark, pungent sub-human undergraduate scenario. Only newly knowing of the blackness, the darkness, forever. A joyless, self-absorbed, self-sampling trip-hop contrivance also captured a specific moment in my abyss. Every track on this record imprinted the details of the time and place I encountered it. I mean, it's in the same space in my imagination with my alien abductions and angelic visitations, and but what. I'm telling you man, my washing machine really speaks to me!

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

Pretty good

Great album. Great voice. Great sound of the 90s.

I can understand why people like this but not too hot on this. The entire production firstly was done great. A mix of typical hip hop beat but as well as it being overall very experimental. This album takes risks and overall is done well production wise. I wasn't expecting the female vocals on this but it was done well for what it is. Nothing really spoke to me individually but it does mix well together. An issue is I can't tell some tracks apart which is bad. The overall thing was done in a way that does make it normally a 5/5 like the more eerie feeling vibe and the sampling on this. But I cannot click entirely on it. I would say it's overrated but it isn't in that category and to some degree, there is lots of good. I would give it a try to get a 100% taste on it. Favorite Song: Glory Box

Not horrible but didn’t interest me.

I enjoyed listening to this. 3.5

not my style but ok listen

cool trip hop

Scratching, low-fi sounds, samples, repetitive loops, depressing… not for Me!

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

2,2

It's chill, hiphoppy, I like it. Sounds great with headphones.

A few absolute classics. Then some very mediocre ones. I blame mixing for most of the so so songs. Very 80s and 90s cheap drum machine sound.

nice. liked some of the songs

Some interesting grooves in this one but I’ve never really gotten into Portishead beyond some surface level enjoyment. I much prefer Beth Gibbons’ and Geoff Barrow’s more recent projects, but I appreciate where this is coming from and what a landmark album it is.

Pretty ok, has some strong moments, and a few moments where I needed to turn the volume down. Would listen to it again

Absolutely classic. Very chilled. Great for background

Not my style of music. Could only listen to the first 2 tracks

Not my brand

I wish there were more albums like this

Mysterons - 10/10 BRO THIS IS HIGHKEY ONE OF THE BEST SONGS I HAVE EVER HEARD Sour Times - 10/10 GOD I LOVE THIS ALBUM Strangers - 10/10 getting my clit rubbed would be less pleasant than listening to this song It could be sweet - 10/10 i love this woman wandering star - 10/10 beth gibbons im so drunk beth gibbons hiiiiii it's a fire - 8/10 (((( numb - 10/10 roads - 10/10 nghh papi im getting fingered to this song Pedestal - 9/10 let's do it mami im ready Biscuit - 10/10 this shit is fire gas idk what else ngggh rub my bellay Glory Box - insert that one beth gibbons smoking in the middle of performing this song performance

Flest lögin eru rosa flott ein og sér en öll saman eru þau svo þunglyndisleg að það er erfitt að fyllast ekki örvæntingu 2-3

Ég þarf aðeins meira oomphf. Hlustaði tvisvar á hana í vinnunni til að reyna að ná henni sem mestri en það var lítið að gerast.

Angry, Angry Johnny..... Such a mood and ambiance throughout. Sultry, aching, and quietly vicious.

So, this one I had to marinate with. I listened to it first thing yesterday morning, thought it was fine, four stars, and I went on with life. But, for whatever alchemical magic there is in this album, it stuck with me. Listened to it again at work, listened to it again after work. It didn’t explode itself into my consciousness, but it did creep its way inside.

Creepy, not my favorite.

trip hop is almost certainly the most accessible electronic music scene of the 1990s to the rockist magazine complex that this list comes out of. no thumping beat, extremely undanceable, and a lot less immediate. as someone that falls over 90s rave music, i have my biases against that. but that doesn't extend to the music itself! this has a thick atmosphere with a lot of almost hauntological interpretations of vocal jazz. one of the best albums of the 90s? no. but still a good listen worthy of revisiting ALSO i got this on the 31st anniversary of its release. neat! deserves to be one of the 1001? yea, even if i think trip hop is overrepresented, this is among the crown jewels of it

This is really nice!

I really enjoy the production on this, I think it is wonderfully sleazy and sluggish and any other adjective you've seen thrown at it for the last 30 years. Despite this I do not really care much for this album at all. Certainly it is worth listening to, but I don't feel like I've gained much by hearing it in its entirety for the first time. And I don't have the words to adequately explain why I don't like it, which adds to the mystique of the album I guess! I get the appeal

It is unique but not quite my jam.

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.

This album is like going out to a quiet cafe in London on a Sunday morning after having a massive Saturday night. You’re in that terrifying phase where you know you have some sins to wash away but you don’t yet know what. Your mind is still pretty scrambled and you need a calming environment to bring you back to earth.

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.

Every song sounds the same. Not a great album to mow the lawn to.

Perfection (100/100)

Заслужена класика. Вокал у Бет незаконно хороший. та й загальний продакшн тут теж дуже крутий.

Pretty dang good. Great samples. Vocalist has a unique pretty voice to collaborate alongside the trippy beats. Better than I thought it would be. 6.9

Overall…absolutely majestic. A special mention must go to Roads, one of the greatest songs ever!

Despite being a 90s music kid, this album remained in my blindspot until just these past few years. What a dummy, right? Once I finally gave it a proper listen, though, I quickly learned how fantastic this is. Every song is an absolute mood and it hits the spot so well. An incredible album start to finish.

not my cup of tea

Wish it was longer, so good such an art piece kinda reminds me of men I trust

1994, the dawn of Trip-Hop. This album, Massive Attack's Protection, and slightly later (Feb 95) Tricky's Maxinquaye. Hell of a trio to kick of a new genre. Love all three of them.

Well it's definitely better than 'Third' ... but still nothing too impressive or groundbreaking with this band for me.

3.5 stars. Downbeat chill trip hop. Nice voice that fits mood well. Standout is "Glory Box".

Аудиоэквивалент секса.

This album is some pretty interesting electronic music. The vocals are great, and the songs are very good chill music. Some songs have a definite hip hop influence to them, especially towards the end of the album. In short, this album has a nice vibe that I enjoy.

Sounds like a rainy day

reminds me a bit of gorrilaz

I didn't enjoy this album, but the banger final track and the cultural significance are enough to give it a middling rating.

this was out when I was in my 20s -- I didn't know it but wish i did hten bc i was angsty and dark enough to love it hahah. Now in my 50s it's a little too gloomy for my taste

Eh didn't love it. 2.1/10

one of my fav albums of all times: sad, sexy, desperate, existential, and the voice of Beth Gibbons!

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.

Such a great album. I bit overplayed in the tears after it came out, but that was for a reason. So good.

cool and chill

Trip hop

I really enjoyed this. Not sure if it is a regular listen but worth remembering.

Eerie vibe, fell into the rhythm as the album progressed, though no particular highs at first. Glory Box achieves that peak, perhaps too late. Worth another listen. 3.

An album that manages to be haunting, romantic and jazzy at the same time. It's such an interesting and enchanting blend, im in love with the direction of this album.

There's some great songs on here and the concept just needed to happen. It is a product of it's time in some ways and I'm really glad it exists. I would have gone for 4 stars and it's kind of painful to admit that I just kind of got tired of it during this listen after I was almost to the end.

Beautiful.

Some bangers in here, and I could get into it more if I was in the right mood I think. I like the slower songs

On the first song I knew that this wasn’t gonna be my cup of tea, but I can appreciate a good production

Sex

Lazy and tender. It's so relaxing to listen to this that I ought to listen to this at night instead of earlier in the day.

Classic in my mind. Almost a 4 star, but it’s more of a “listen to on occasion” album rather than an “on repeat” album.

Its fine but I am getting bored

Snelle inhaal review #22: Beste triphop album allertijden. Sinister en depressief van tijd tot tijd, om vervolgens weer best wel uplifting en relaxing te zijn, emotionele rollercoaster dus, hou ik van.

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.

Het triphop defining album.

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

10/10 I’m no stranger to this album, but ever time I come back to it, I love it more than before

Got this on LP, it's cool!

Well, yeah. Basically invented my musical alley.

One of my favorite atmospheric albums ever, it perfectly captures a sullen melancholy mood in a setting that feels like a dimly-lit smoke-filled cocktail lounge.

A 90s album is just what the doctor ordered after a rough stretch of 80s music for me. This album is close to flawless for me; my only hang-up is the lack of diversity of sound within the album, and I am bothered more broadly by how consistent Portishead's discography is. But they do the sound well. 5/5

I've loved Wandering Star for a while, so I'm excited to give the whole album a full trial! Looking it up, this is tied into Massive Attack's work a lot. That's nuts. This is so much more interesting. Listening notes: -Nice slow buildup in the first track -Sour Times-the dark melody and here are such pleasant creeping sound. But it's that dope rattle that really crushes this. (research indicates this is a hammered dulcimer and it's actually a sample) Review: Forgot to write more but this is a banger album. Easy 5 stars.

A few weeks ago, I described Massive Attack's "Protection" as perfectly good ambient music to edit a paper to. I would describe Portishead's Dummy as perfectly good ambient music to forget you're listening to. This is part of the goal of ambient music, so I guess that's good if what they were going for. But I refuse to believe that's what they wanted. I also had to make sure that I wasn't listening to the same song twice. Biscuit and Glory Box are the same song, right? All in all, this is a 2.5 star record for me. I'm rounding down to 2.

I understand lana a lot more after listening to this album, if that makes sense. I've never been a huge fan of trip hop, but credit where credit's due, this is good production which is what I assume the draw is.

Ngl I didn’t rate this it was soooo boring

By the 2nd song, I'd had enough.

No thanks

Trop langoureux, lent pour moi.

Not the worst thing I’ve ever listened to but not necessarily my favorite. It was pleasant and relaxing. I’ll give it that.

Day 2 and delighted to see this on my list. What a great record, and a truly unique sound. One of the best 10 albums of the 90s and sounds as innovative as it did in 1994, from the theremin sound and buzz roll of the drums on Mysterons right through to the tremelo effect and organ on Glory Box and the haunting vocals throughout. I was lucky enough to see Beth Gibbons live earlier this year. She encored with Roads which was spellbinding. What a treat - if I could give more than 5 stars I would.

Спокойный альбом, навевающий грусть. 6,5 из 10.

Tremendo, amo este disco.

That was a walk down memory lane. Did I need a reminder that my older sister listened to way better music than me when we were growing up? No, but I'm very glad I was reintroduced to Portishead. The fact that this was a debut album makes it even more impressive. I wonder when we are going to get to the Joe Satriani and Barstool Prophets...

First songs I have recognized this far! The singles from this album are really great and I would say have stood the test of time. The rest of the album is meh however the vocals are excellent and I know this was a unique sound they helped pioneer.

This was a great record, I can see where all the praise comes from. I can barely believe this is considered "electronic" since it's so sparse on instruments; these songs feel more like morose bedroom indie. Very enjoyable.

Hört sich irgendwie alle recht ähnlich an, ist nicht wirklich mein Musikgeschmack, aber man kann es sich gut anhören, viele interessante Geräusche

Pleasant but really the same song over and over again.

Fire album, never heard of this so I looked it up on spotify - turns out this genre is trip hop. It's very exciting, very tripppy indeed but very groovy, for me this album is very stimulating and a good listen. Have had a few songs on repeat.

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.

Don't get me wrong, Portishead is good, and Dummy is great, but it is not an album I feel like I can put on at any time. The downtempo/trip-hop grooves are moody things; perfect for nighttime or rainy day listening, but it's 9:30am, I've had coffee, I'm doing chores around the house, and I'm aching for something *more*. I really thought I could rate it higher, but the downer mood is pretty specific to certain listening environments and scenarios.

Cool. Really liked the atmosphere, a bit magical

Quite enjoyed that

This album was alright, I loved the low key feel it had but on a 2nd listen it was kind of boring and very monotonous. Wasn't awful though.

Really liked this one…nice to listen to while working

Quite simply a masterpiece

No es mi vibe.

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

Classic gloomy trip hop

I found this album to quite good, especially after back-to-back 1 star albums. Beth Gibbons has a gorgeous voice, and this album was overall incredibly unique. I'm not a tremendous fan of the music style, but if I was going to listen to a "trip hop" album this is the one I would reach for. It was quite pretty and an easy listen.

It's definitely an interesting listen. Vocals are good, music is very chill, good album to listen to while working.

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.

One of my top love making album’s.

I've heard this album several times, because it is such a highly acclaimed and lived album. I just don't get it. It is not bad by any means, it just is so average. The overall tones is very bland and repetitive, there is very little distinction between any tracks, they all sound so very similar. It is a good album to throw on a zone out if you have some work to get done, the is nothing that will distract you and the hour will be over in no time. 6.5/10 128/1001

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.

This sounds so elegant and sleek. Like sitting in a richly appointed room of velvet blues and blacks. And that voice...sublime.

Only tangentially familiar with Portishead so was excited to review this one. Just another 90s Alt Masterpiece, no big deal!!! Sour Times - instantly recognizable moody vibe, Roads, Glory Box. The whole album is a vibe. Kind of a mellower Tool vibe to this band. V Good

I don't like this kind of music. Reminds me of Burial and Massive Attack. I can't even describe what exactly it is, but it's not for me.

Genre: Trip Hop An album I was thinking I’d be more of a fan of (considering the internet’s undying love for it), it’s moody, it’s certainly an album that served to be incredibly influential (read: Damon Albarn’s entire Gorillaz career), but not one I feel like I’d personally come back to again and again. Fairly mild in terms of its overall presentation for me, and perhaps a little too sad and moody. Some nice moments here and there, but altogether not my favorite. 3/5

See my Massive Attack review from the other day and add a star. How Portishead never did a Bond theme is beyond me.

Dummy sounds as beautiful and innovative today as it did when it was released (and I still remember the first time I heard it: waiting tables at a late-night candlelit bar in SoHo where the bartender played it on cassette). Beth Gibbons’ voice conveys hauntingly rich emotion, while the production reinforces the inner gloom with chilling cinematic flair, sparse instrumentation, some turntable wizardry, and perfectly curated and executed hip-hop beats. I can’t not be utterly captivated listening to it; the saddest, slowest-tempo dance party imaginable.

Spooky and distant and the voice is a storyteller sure but it’s also an instrument and it’s such a part of the shape of this music. My sophomore-year college girlfriend liked the band enough to wear their t-shirt but somehow never played them for me, Sarah, what was up with that? Though maybe it's on me for never asking more than whether it was pronounced porti-shed or portis-head. Years later, after I finally found the band. I loved the violin sample on Glory Box so hard I tracked it down and bought the source, Isaac Hayes’ Black Moses album, because I wanted more of that.

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.

the mizzle in Brizzle falls mainly as drizzle

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.

Liked it more than I thought it would as I have it a second and third listen. Took a while to grow on my but music has a vibe to it.

Roads is worth the listen alone but give the whole album a play for context and you’ll understand how influential this album has become.

Wasn’t expecting this one to be so good

I adore this album it is lovely :)

First let's be fair: I really liked this album. It was great to listen and captured perfectly the vibe of the second half of the 90s. Being this one from 1994, this means that it was a cornerstone of a genre, which is remarkable. That said, was I was listening to it, I couldn't help but think that trip-hop may be the most depressing (mainstream) music of the latest years. It lacks the energy of the rock'n' roll, the rebellious spririt of rap (and variants) and you cannot even dance to it you would with the rest of pop music. This is the equivalent of a life full of Benzodiazepine. It's there, people use it a lot, but at the same time is flat and reflects that something's off. People of the late 90s didn't wanna rock like late 80s, they were sad. This led my generation (born between 85 and 90) grow with a permanent feel of apathy towards life, as our role model were digging trip-hop and boring indie rock instead of rocking out and enjoying life. I wonder how it was having Twisted Sister or Run DMC as role model instead of this "first-world issues" archetypical sound. Good album, though.

I wanted to like this more than I did. I've listened to it before and went through a phase of loving it. My biggest issue on this listen, however, was that the songs blend together a bit too much. It was tough to pick out a favorite track, not because there are too many good ones, but because none really stand out from the rest. But I suppose it would have to be between "Biscuit" and "Glory Box", with the latter taking the cake.

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.

Album is about a 3.5

Perfection. One of the greatest and most original albums of all time.

Very good: consistent sound, sounds like an album

weird, made me feel uneasy. not bad though

A special album for me. Immersing, charming, and suffocating at times, Dummy delivers an unforgettable experience. It’s amazing how this album does not age… still strong, still hypnotic. Like the first time

Las bases son buenas pero no es mi estilo de música. La voz de la cantante es muy plana, siendo las canciones un poco sosas. 2/10

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.

Veldig bra, min type musikk!

Album 843 of 1089 Portishead - Dummy (1994) Rating : 1.5 / 5 Electronica isn’t really my thing, and this one didn’t change that. That said, Dummy at least had some vocal presence and what felt like actual song structures, which puts it ahead of some of the other electronic albums I’ve encountered. It created a moody, noir-ish atmosphere that I can respect, even if it’s not something I’d ever return to by choice. A better experience than most in the genre for me, but still not a keeper.

I never really got into Portishead. This album ventures a little too far off center for me. Some of the songs remind me of Poe, whom I actually like better.

Lot of creativity musically. The vocals were not at the same level as the music.

Sounds like this could be music for a film noir or maybe that's just the clever used Lalo Schifrin sample on a stand out track, Sour Times. The album is a mix of pop, tech-hop, indie and electronica which grows with repeated listening. Beth Gibbons voice is really good too.

Not that much of a dummy....

A solid listen, but not quite as tremendous as the reviews were making it out to be. Found it quite dragging and dull at some moments. Enjoyable but wouldn’t listen many times again

Absolute classic from potentially the best trip-hop band of all time. Every track oozes a smoky charisma with Beth Gibbons heavenly vocals crooning like each word’s her last. There’s nothing quite like this!

Perfect from start to finish Came in only knowing Glory Box and Sour Times but Roads. Roads is amazing

179/1089 - What a cool album! Hip-hop and film noire make a pretty good combo. Amazing vocals and mysterious sounds through the repetitive ambiguous harmonies (while varying the instrumentation). One of my favorite albums for sure. While not on this list, Portishead self-titled and Massive Attack's Mezzanine are also great listens.

3 estrelas

Incredible, atmospheric, and transformative. Just a great album fron start to finish.

Trip hop is (often) my jam. Could listen to this alllllllll day.

Urghhhhh I don’t know. This was just lacking SOMETBING but I don’t know. It was satisfactory but not spectacular and ai was just passively listening.

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.

Doubtless a bit cheesy, but interesting. The album is pretty relaxed overall.

Couldn’t get into this one. Aside from the beats on some of the tracks, there was nothing I liked from this album. For some songs, it felt like the backing was unfit for the vocals.

Not much to say about this album that hasn't been said yet. One of the definitive 90s records and for me the peak of trip hop, a genre they, alongside Massive Attack, have pushed into the mainstream, blending hip hop beats with bleak, introspective lyrics, sprinkled with jazzy guitars and organs, creating a cinematic noir atmosphere that no other band has been able to capture in the same way these two did. What's crazy is that this was their debut, and to come out with something like this, with such a mature and refined sound, is pretty crazy to me. + Sour Times, Roads, Glory Box, Mysterions = Strangers, Wandering Star, Biscuit - N/A

Very weird, lots of instruments that doesn't fit

The songs sounded very similar

an interesting listen

I think this album is ok. It's good background music, but I don't think I'd put it on unless I just want something to fill the silence. Nothing too memorable for me. 2/5 Favorite song: It's A Fire Worst song: Wandering Star

Didn't listen to all of it abd can't say I remember much pf the songs I actually listened to. My broher says the band is good though.

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

Having only listened to Beth gibbons solo project. This is her among vocals with energetic hip hop beats. Fav: mysterons, it could be sweet

If a goal of music is to make you feel something, this one succeeds. I felt angry that I wasted my time listening to this boring Panda Express version of quiet and thoughtful songs. Thanks a lot, Dummy.

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.

What a stellar record. The production is fantastic. The cross of genres between hip-hop and psych-rock is executed with great effect. Each track is moody and emotional, which is emphasized in the distorted vocals and beats. I am pleasantly surprised with this one, and I enjoyed this album. Favourite Track(s): Glory Box, It Could Be Sweet Least Favourite Track(s): It's Fire

Portishead is torn, lost, lonely, tired, emotional, and mysterious on Dummy. And it works! Slow, emo electronica behind the shadowy vocals of a female temptress. Songs are all good but get pretty similar, strong finish with the Glory Box. (3.4*s)

Have heard of Portishead but never heard Portishead before. They produce some spooky, chill shit. Beth Gibbons is soothing and works well with trip-hop electronica. I like "Wandering Star" most of all the songs. If "Glory Box" sounds familiar, I think it's another song with a sample or same beat as Beta Band's "Squares." File this one with the other trip-hop albums that made the list but it's the best one thus far in my opinion...2.56 (wandering) stars.

Nice entry from Portishead. They bring something different than what we have seen elsewhere on the list. Wasn't sure exactly how to classify this as it felt like a mix of various genres but evidently it goes by trip hop which I guess describes the vibe of the album. Some slowed down trippy beats with some diverse production and female vocals worked well so I mostly enjoyed it 2.87 stars

Portishead’s Dummy isn’t here to start the party—it’s what plays long after the lights come up and the dancefloor clears out. The Bristol trio (Beth Gibbons' ghostly vocals, Geoff Barrow’s dusty loops, and Adrian Utley’s noir guitar lines) delivered a debut that defined trip hop’s brooding aesthetic, even if the mood occasionally lapses into monotony. Still, when it hits, it haunts: “Sour Times” shuffles like spy cinema reimagined by beat junkies, while “It Could Be Sweet,” “Roads,” and “Glory Box” are slow-burn torch songs steeped in smoke and sorrow. “It’s a Fire” even hints at the polished chill Madonna would chase on Ray of Light. Dummy may be sleepy, but it knows exactly what kind of dream it wants you in.

♫ Listening to "Wandering Star" by Portishead (Dummy, 1994) ♫

• 5/5 • The exemplar of trip-hop that excels in every component, beginning with the vocals and through to the beats, jazzy elements, fuzzy guitar, and mellow-yet-unsettling mood • A great listen all the way through, with a few fantastic tracks; Sour Times should have been the theme for a Bond film (in the best, Shirley Bassey way)

Another classic, what an incredible vibe this album sets and ending with Glory Box which is such an S tier song, what an album!

Front to back this album is perfect. This was one of my go to records when I was in dating mode and I knew a make out session was coming. Many, many, many sexy times to this record.

Oh my god how have I never heard this. This album is inspiring. From the needle drop, I was 100% invested. The textures build a whole different world and keep your ears satiated throughout. The emotion in every instrument really makes you FEEL something. What a listen. This album has changed me.

The influence is undeniable. It's of its era but transcends it.

Just so effortlessly cool

3.0 - Ok

For once an album that actually is unique enough to make it onto this list. The first one on here that I own on vinyl, and the 2nd five.

Beautifully produced and the vocals are sublime.

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