Reviews (page 13 of 14)
Endra ikkje livet mitt, men heilt ok.
6/10 not that big of a fan. The lyrics are alright i just dont like the genre
I want to like this album. But just does not hit for me. I like Glory Box, but the rest of the songs are very monotone and don’t do a lot for me. I have a similar experience as another reviewer where I’ll revisit this album every couple of years or so because I’ve heard how good and influential it is. But I find myself not finding anything that makes it amazing.
Overrated
Not my fave, especially during a workout. 90’s grunge pop, soft rock. I can see how people would be into this tho.
Ok
Not my jam but easy listen
Not really my jam
Not terrible by any means, just way too soft and mellow for my taste, as is with most trip hop stuff, they lean too much into the lo-fi side of things
This was ok. I remember when they surfaced and lots of folk unnecessarily creaming over them. There were some good moments, but nothing that would stick with me if I’m honest. Listening to it, I constantly wanted them to go deeper and stretch out more but they never did. Resulting in a very safe and ultimately unimpressive experience.
Somewhat painful to get through honestly.
Monotone.
Not the biggest fan
Vahvat ysärivibat, ei voi erehtyä, miltä vuosikymmeneltä tai mistä päin maailmaa yhtye on. Nostalgiaa. Ei ole mun genreäni joten albumin hienous ei aukea. Varmasti ollut genressään ihan uudenlaista tai jopa luonut uutta genreä mutta ei ole mun juttuni kuin korkeintaan biisi silloin, toinen tällöin. Ei kuitenkaan silmitöntä kuraa vaan ihan oikeaa musiikkia joten 2/5.
I don't like their style. Too obscure, but above all too industrial.
Very smelly bit of album, making me remember why I stopped this
Ikkje så fan
Not for me sorry 2.5/5
Dark slow lyrically not my cup of tea currently, struggled to get through it
Atmospheric pop
Not a big fan. Didn’t really like any song from the album. Except the last one. Glory box is a fucking banger and will never die.
It’s fine but also no. In the 90s when I was at a party or a club that played this music the vibe was always gross. Everyone in their own world instead of being together.
I wouldn’t mind listening to this album again, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to it. Definitely, not my thing. Favorite Songs: It’s A Fire - I like the lyrics of this song, it ends nice with the organ as well. Glory Box - Sensual, great guitar in this one.
Not for me; felt like the same song the whole album
Synes der har været et tema de seneste tre dage ?? denne gang endnu mere emo og melankolsk på en meget kold måde der kun gør mig depressed, og af den grund tror jeg desværre ik jeg vender tilbage. Men glory box er fed
While this was interesting as background music, it was pretty boring as a forefront focus. This is my second Portishead album on here, and I have a similar opinion for both. They just don't really do enough for me to say they're any more than OK. It's probably more an issue of the genre for me. Trip hop seems to be more interested in subtlety in sampling and spinning, keeping it lo-fi instead of over the top, in-your-face production. The rest of the mix follows that lead, causing the vocals and music just kind of weave their way along while hoping you'll come along for the ride. I prefer something a little more aggressive, or at least for it to change up the tone a couple times as it goes. That never really happened here in the 49+ minute runtime. I did think there were some good tracks on the album. Sour Times and Glory Box were probably my favorites, as I found them more engaging than the rest of the songs. Unfortunately there was a lot of space between them that didn't really do much for me. I probably wouldn't listen to the whole album again just to hear those tracks. I can't really remember Third now, four months later. That doesn't speak well for it, and probably reinforces me saying it was just OK at the time I reviewed it. I feel similarly about Dummy here, though I do think I'll remember a couple of the tracks I mentioned. As a result I'll rank it slightly higher. It's still just OK, though. Overall: 2.4/5
Meh 6/10 I like 2 songs after first listen
I saw the vision but JFC the vocals were bad
You know, I had higher hopes, purely because I know Portishead by name. I expected a bit of a trip, but mix-wise this is just too disjoint to suck me in. Needs more vocal processing to leave behind the indie-pop aesthetic and really commit to something unique.
"The Vice" was a cracking TV show, and Sour Times was the perfect theme song for it. But that's about all this album has for me.
not my vibe, did not know songs, but I get why people like it. From a sound standpoint this album is amazing though.
Too samey.
Moody beats and electronic music with soft vocals. Not as bad as I would've expected. Still not good.
Great album
Never heard this album. But I did own Portishead's first album (which is better than this one). That album is also on this list. Not bad experimental music but didn't resonate enough with me to pull me in. Not sure Portishead needs to be on this list at all, much less with 2 albums.
It is interesting but this just isn’t for me. A few moody songs here and there is ok but a whole album is too much for me.
This album felt very slow and plodding. I don’t mind slow, haunting songs…but if the entire album is like that it just feels like it drags on.
I got sorta bored. I like the synth in It's A Fire
Det vokser på mig… størstedelen af sangene var lidt for flippede til min smag. Dog var der nogle ind imellem jeg synes var fede.
Most enjoyable songs ------- ------- not my vibe You need to have a specific time in your life to enjoy this album.
Interesting. I should try again some time
Definitely not my favorite - but nonetheless, I think it had a great production. I felt the bass, it seemed to be the heartbeat of every song off the album. Felt very ominous and often felt like I was waiting for something to drop, added to the suspense of the listening experience. My favorite song is definitely Glory Box, also seems to be the most popular. Glad to give it a listen though, something outside my typical genre for sure.
Not my music
I came to this album with a fundamentally positive bias, largely because of “Glory Box.” That track was played endlessly during my Studio Brussel years, and for good reason: it’s genuinely strong, and it explains perfectly why Portishead broke through with it. The band’s formula—languid electronic beats, sparse atmospheric guitar lines, and Beth Gibbons’ voice floating on top—works there exactly as intended. Call it trip-hop, call it post-club comedown music; either way, it makes sense, and as a hit it’s fully deserved. But that formula really only works once. My first and biggest problem with this album is Beth Gibbons. I simply cannot stand her singing. Partly because she spends far too much time in an absurdly high register, producing sounds that are physically unpleasant at higher volumes, and partly because she almost never seems to sing properly at all—mostly she mumbles into the microphone. Ironically, “Glory Box” works precisely because she finally sings with some force. I would genuinely be curious to hear this album with a different singer—someone with an actual alto voice, singing cleanly. The second problem is the production. Too often this album turns into a parade of “quirky” studio tricks and random noises. Scratching, sound effects, odd textures—it’s everywhere, and it almost never helps. In early hip-hop, scratching made sense; here it just sounds misplaced, sometimes bordering on self-parody. At its worst, it feels like the producers were throwing every strange noise they could think of into the mix, regardless of whether it served the song. Which is frustrating, because when the band chooses a more restrained palette, the music suddenly comes alive. “Sour Times” benefits enormously from its Morricone-style guitar line. “It’s a Fire” is lifted by a simple organ part. “Roads” has a beautiful electronic piano sound, though it’s again undermined by Gibbons’ glass-shattering vocals. Along with “Glory Box,” these form the album’s stronger core—four tracks where the potential is obvious. There are flashes of brilliance elsewhere, too. The muted trumpet in “Pedestal” is inspired—Miles Davis knew exactly why that sound works—but even there, the song is eventually sabotaged by unnecessary sonic clutter. “Wandering Star” is the low point: the gimmicks completely derail it. Interestingly, my appreciation increased significantly when listening on headphones. Over speakers, the album mostly irritated me; on headphones, its atmosphere and textural ambition come through more clearly. It also highlights what trip-hop does well in general: tension, mood, and the occasional use of heavily processed guitars as color rather than force. You can almost hear different strands of early-’90s British music colliding here—shoegaze textures, dance culture, and post-rave introspection. That’s what makes Dummy so frustrating. Somewhere in its DNA is a genuinely strong album. With a different singer and far stricter production choices, this could have been something remarkable. As it stands, it’s intermittently compelling, often irritating, and ultimately hard to digest.
Generally a bit boring. Some great instrumentation, but a bit slow and samey for my liking.
Mysterons - I probably wont listen to this again Sour times - very repetitive again, likely won’t listen again Strangers - less repetitive, still not my vibe though It could be sweet - liking this a little more, sade vibes but still don’t see myself listening further Wandering star - just find myself a bit bored by it It’s a fire - I actually like this one Numb - bored again sorry Roads - I like this Pedestal - back to being bored Biscuit - still bored Glory box - obviously a banger
Glory Box is a masterpiece per se, but this genre is not my cup of tea on the overall scale, not something I would play and listen in my free time, that is, definitely not my #1 choice :)
give me a reasonnn to love you
eu juro como tiveram umas 3 músicas que eu fiquei "ué, essa já não passou??".
4 - BAD
I give this a two more just from listening to it. When I looked into the "why" behind why this album has acclaim I did not know much about trip hop. The album is very understated but when I understand the influence it does become more interesting. But still I don't really enjoy it, its more academic.
Not a fan of the whiny ninety girl rock
I previously knew one tune and thought I'd like this more. It wasn't so.
Ich bin eingeschlafen
I can see how people like this, but not my cup of tea.
він дуже легкий, але я втомлений його слухав і через це під нього додатково засипаєш
electronic 'music'
not my style but their voices are really good and comfortable
I've listened to this before and it just doesn't leave a strong impression then or now
Maybe you have to be in the mood for it, but I found it very draining and very repetitive
I've tried to get into portishead, I just can't.
Made it 1/2 way
Vraiment pas convaincue…
It's unusual but it doesn't really do anything. Could be just one song and you wouldn't know the difference
First sound so good, last sound so bad. Shoulda stayed on film and in 2024. SOLD!
Ehhh not my tempo
Not vibing with this
Weird album. Strangers and Biscuit were my favorite jams. Loved the bass, groove and faded guitar sounds Controversial, I think the record scratch is actually cool here All that said, I think trip hop has come a LONG way since then. Id much rather put on Pretty Lights when im in the mood
ok, kinda just background music? wasn't the most interesting but there were some decent tracks
Yawn. Actively painful. I mean yeah, you can really produce an album which is a _vibe_, it's just that that vibe is like nails on a chalkboard 85% of the time
not for me
I really don't think this was bad at all, and I thought it ended on it's strongest track with Glory Box, which is an excellent song, but this just wasn't for me. I couldn't connect with it. 2 Stars.
Decent background music. Couple heavy hitters.
I’m feeling pressure to like this. I don’t.
Pole mulle veel see
Yawn
Synths didn’t really draw me in. Felt dark and depressing so I mostly skipped.
Not really my vibe.
This album was weird for me, because on paper I should have loved it - downtempo, reverb heavy, grungy, dramatic ballads with tons of excellent nighttime vibes. But for whatever reason, I just did not enjoy myself here. That said, the previous Portishead album I had on this list was one of the worst things I heard on here so far, so I'll take this over the previous any day
2.5 - ok album. A little monotone. Reminds me of ps2
This album never achieves the haunting atmosphere it seems to be going for, instead settling for a kind of monotonous darkness. Every track follows a similar formula: take a drum beat, add one or two elements over it, and repeat until the end. A few of the tracks add new elements (the guitar during the chorus of "Glory Box" is the most effective example), the drums sound nice, and the occasionally jazzy elements are welcome. But it's not enough for the tracks to feel like they're progressing, and this becomes more obvious the longer the album goes on. The vocals also don't help - they feel detached and uninterested, rarely communicating the emotions of the lyrics. The chorus of "Sour Times" is one of the exceptions. This was definitely meant to be a drag, but I find it to be a drag for a different reason than intended.
Some of the boring music I’ve ever listened to.
Liked some, disliked others
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.
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
ha... is het album al voorbij? sorry, ergens halverwege tweede nummer in slaap gesukkeld... wel goeie muziek daarvoor
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).
Pas mon try
I’m good with these speakeasy albums for a while.
Ehhh, not my favorite. It’s like if Fiona Apple got herself a synth and became even more depressed.
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".
Enjoyed Glory Box and Sour Times
I liked it. I can see the inspiration it had for Alessia Cara and other groups. A 2.75
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.
2,2/5
Spooky ghost music for cool spooky teens
Not horrible but didn’t interest me.
2,2
Not my brand
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.
Creepy, not my favorite.
Every song sounds the same. Not a great album to mow the lawn to.
Well it's definitely better than 'Third' ... but still nothing too impressive or groundbreaking with this band for me.
reminds me a bit of gorrilaz
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
On the first song I knew that this wasn’t gonna be my cup of tea, but I can appreciate a good production
Its fine but I am getting bored
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.
Ngl I didn’t rate this it was soooo boring
Not the worst thing I’ve ever listened to but not necessarily my favorite. It was pleasant and relaxing. I’ll give it that.
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.
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.
Not that much of a dummy....
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 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.
Slightly better than Third which I did not like. But still not my cup of tea Repetitive and boring. Only good song was Glory Box which I never knew was sung by them 2 ⭐️
Really interesting, a few familiar sounding songs (feels like drama/action movie soundtrack picks). Overall super cool sounds, chill working music. Feels slightly experimental. Not a fave, but glad to have experienced it and know who provides such a familiar movie genre
Вообще не зацепило. Ожидал жесткого рока в стиле Нирваны, а по итогу какая-то баба поет. Кароче лучше пойду послушаю Тома Петти и Хертбрейкеров, хуй знает
Glory box rocks, I've had that song on a playlist for a bit now. The rest is cool but it seems like something meant for small doses. It sounds like one long droning song. There's definitely a good amount of creativity and talent, but it just never came together for me.
No me encanta
Noise. I don't feel it.
Another previously-listened-to-er. Been getting a lot of these lately despite the sheer unlikelihood of it happening. I listened to Dummy a year or two ago after a brief stint of trying to get into trip-hop - I'm a fan of both Gorillaz' debut album and Cibo Matto. Through my explorations of the genre I concluded that while trip-hop is a difficult genre to get wrong, it's also a difficult genre to get right. There's a simple pleasure to this music. I'm a big fan of the Silent Hill games (of which Portishead had a big influence), so in some respects this album is right up my alley. "Sour" is a very good song - the chorus flashes through my mind on occasion. Among the best displays of songwriting on the album, with an instrumental that is resoundingly Silent Hill. "It's a Fire" is another song that I sometimes think about, though my opinions on it are more mild. It has a good chorus while the rest of the music kinda falters. The thundering atmosphere on "Strangers" is pretty good. I also like "Biscuit". The pensive atmosphere on that song is pretty solid. "Glory Box" is a great tune, though you didn't need me to tell ya that. It has the best vocal performance on the album with some gripping strings and nice guitar embellishments. While I appreciate this album for what it is, something about it just filters me. It's undeniably competent as far as the music and performances go, though I can't help but come away with a mild impression. It's probably due to the generally minimal compositions and repetitious song structure. The album also loses me quite a bit in the later stretch. I can't say I cared about "Roads" or "Pedestal". In any case, this album has a lot under it's belt as far as influence and success goes, so it's a solid pick for the list. Can't fault it.
Meh I dont know what to think about this
never was a big fan of portishead
This was an alright album. It was enjoyable to listen to but nothing really stood out, it may take another listen to really appreciate it. I liked the vibe but I would give this a 2.5 if half ratings were possible.
Actually enjoyed this more than I thought. 2.46
Just nahh from me. 2/5.
not for me! a little slow and i’m not in love with any of the songs
I am sad to report I did not make it through this album. This is fun music to play in the background during nocturnal adventures but I can't imagine just listening to this by itself so I was fucking floored to see two of their top ten songs on Spotify were live renditions of their songs. 2.5/5
Weird witchy vibes. Not irritating but not something I want to listen to either
49 minutes de génériques non retenus de James Bond
Is this … the absolute rompiche ?
C'est un peu comme le tour de france: je sais qu'il s'y passe des choses intéressantes mais je peux pas m'empêcher de dormir...
Zzzzzzzzzzzz
I listened to this thinking I would really be enjoying it as I remember loving it but I wasn’t as intrigued, mostly just bored.
It might not be an exaggeration to say that literally everyone likes this band more than I do. Still better than Radiohead though.
A little too dreamy for me. Essences of Bjork rise over the beats. In its day, this would have been the antidote for BritPop rock. Led the trip-hop movement but this is not an album to be played during daylight. A true 2 AM record.
Love a lot of the beats on these tracks, but man the vocals are grating
So sad! Not my vibe right now. So I’m biased but she had a nice voice.
Too whispery
J'aime pas la voix sorry
Yeah boring as batshit
2/5 not interesting
Can appreciate the craft, but that voice is fucking annoying four tracks in.
4/10 - I don’t like portishead. I think if I can imagine a camera zooming out from a destroyed city or a dead main character while the song is playing I will not like. Portishead has managed to nail that sound.
vibey
I love music that makes me feel like I'm waitin' at the bus stop late on a rainy night with a woman standing across the street under a flickering streetlight. Bitch, if you don't stop contortin’ your body like that
I don't mind the music, but I would not seek it out. The singer's voice is very grating to me, though. I would not listen to this again.
I enjoyed the singer, I think she has a nice voice. Other than that i found this album pretty boring overall.
Channel 4’s Lost promo iykyk
Unpopular opinion but this album lowkey put me in a bad mood and im not entirely sure why. I think this album feels like it blends together too much. Like yeah glory box is good but still.
2.8 star that still gets 2 stars from me It's nice but overall I enjoyed it less than I didn't care for it. Also lightheaded headache music (this is not a negative thing)
I can tell this is good but it's very much not for me.
So boring, didn’t seem unique or catchy at all. Consistent beat with some woman whisper-singing over it. 1.5
I...just can't with this band.
Fine, chill. Didn't really do much for me and it sounded like one long song. Again I must ask: why does this band that nobody talks about have more than album on this list, but Daft Punk's Discovery was missing? IT MAKES NO SENSE.
Desperately dull, 2nd time giving it a chance and somehow worse than I remembered. I’m clearly missing something here. Yawn 2/5
Not feeling melancholy 90s today
“Sour Times” and “Glory Box” remain the only two songs I truly love from this album.
It's giving 007 title theme
This album is just not my cup of tea. I had heard the song Glory Box before, but beyond that I had no idea what this album or artist were about. It's not technically bad, but it's just not something I would ever listen to. I would reach for something else, and if I heard it (and was able to control the music wherever I heard it) I'd change it to listen to something I liked more. Neither the music nor lyrics resonated with me and I was just looking forward to it being over. 2/5
חמוד לפעמים אבל הרוב משעמם
I’ve attempted to like Porisehead many times through years, but nothing I heard pulled in. It’s electronic trip hop which I typically enjoy , but this album is a bit too gloomy, or downbeat, for my tastes. I suppose the biggest sin it’s its boring. As a huge fan of Bjork, the opener, Mysterons, is a favorite but not enough to keep this Dummy in rotation.
This is sexy jam music for sad people. I'm neither sexy nor sad enough for this, but I do have a story. Years ago, I worked in a hospital pharmacy. It was like 2011 so streaming wasn't taking off yet, but we had XM radio. Usually the senior pharmacist made a pick, and usually that pick was the Grateful Dead station, so we'd hear 3 songs in an 8-hour shift, but sometimes they'd give the reins over. One night, a resident pharmacist put it on some 90's channel and Portishead came up. They got VERY excited. They were the same age as me and so they asked if I was also excited, or, rather noticing, why I wasn't as excited. "I don't know them?" "We're the same age and you don't know Portishead?" "Do you know Slayer?" "...No." I'm going to put on Slayer after this.
I don't really understand what made this band very influential. There were several other bands from around the same time or that came before that were doing similar stuff but way more interesting. This album is kind of boring. I didn't really enjoy it at all.
It's an album full of james bond songs but none are THE bond songs
Nope. Achingly, painfully overrated. Nothing revolutionary about it. Damn, these high reviews really give me no hope for humans.
As far as 90s electronica goes, this is better, but I'm not sure if it warrants the relatively high score this album got, especially given other albums that were way better. This was tolerable as I've been a big hater of bygone era of electronica. 4/10.
It wasn’t too bad, I can’t really see the hype that the reviews seem to give it. Nothing special to me but maybe just because it’s not for me.
Reading about the album and how it is considered the spearheading of "trip hop" is kind of cool. Also as someone who enjoys lofi from time to time, I can see why people like this album. However this one just wasn't for me.
That's not my taste in music
Think I would have enjoyed it more in the right context. Glad the only Portishead song I know finally came in at the end. Best track too.
Felt very repetitive. Some good ideas throughout
I think I need to be in a certain mood to appreciate this and I was not when listening today
Was almost torture to listen to the vocals. Yearning, sorrowful or whatever they were.
Eh, kinda boring after awhile. I liked the opener, "Mysterons", but then it's just more of the same but not as appealing. Not for me.
2/5 - not my thing
Very chill, smooth. I did not dislike it, but it's not for me either.
"we have Bjork at home" is what I felt this whole listen, and I really gave it a shot. Nothing clicked, its not objectively bad, but there is just very little to nothing here.
Not for me. Wanted to like it but didn’t.
Mood music
Interesting Roads Glory Box
Maybe I'm just in a good mood, but I hated this less than I thought I would.
Irritating acid house trip hop. Reading about the production of this album was more interesting than actually listening to it. I see the Wikipedia article about this says that this album was popular as background music in cafes and as bedding tracks on TV and radio, a nightmarish time which brought back memories.
Apparently this is one of Apple’s Top 100 albums of all time. I ain’t buying it. High 2 because it’s mellow
Kinda felt like the intro to a James Bond movie. Which was cool but also just not something I want to hear a whole album of.
I didn't really like this. There were too many record-scratching sound effects, and her voice was a bit drony. it was also a bit slow for me, which made 50 minutes feel like about 500.
This is what the opera that senator palpatine was seeing in Star Wars sounded like.
The Good: The title of the album already points out the fact that I am a … The Bad: If the band knew that I am a dummy, then why did they even bother publishing this album? The Ugly: the fact that I actually listened to it twice in the hopes that I would be less dummy, and more yummy… So, they like Ennio Morriconi’s work, so do I, but not in the sense of “hey, let’s just create an entire album that has way to slow compositions, use drum machines to create an annoying beat, and make sure we uppppppp the bass on all channels! Trip Hop, or Indie Rock, or any of the other labels that has been thrown around to explain which genre this album should belong to, should tell you enough that if it isn’t clear to the publishers, or trade journalists, then what are we supposed to think about it? So, here’s me, mr Dummy, enjoying the fact that I don’t have to listen to the album a third time, as I’m smart enough to realize my opinion on this album won’t change… 2* for effort...
Listened to Portishead 5-6 years ago on recommendation from my foreman at work who was definitely a hard drug enjoyer. Didn't like it then, don't really like it now. I think I understand trip hop as a genre a bit better today than I did 5-6 years ago, but this still just isn't for me. Too slow with decent but boring grooves. Singer being monotone is also a minus. Maybe on ketamine.
Not for me
This is not interesting. Why is it here? Some songs had nice parts but I don’t need it.
More substance than the others English 90s electronic, which isn’t exactly saying much, but still,
Bit monotonous
The equivalent of turning on a fan at night so you have a bit of noise to fall asleep to. Really boring, basically the same thing all the way through
Groupe connu de nom uniquement. En fait non, j'avais déjà entendu 'Glory Box', sans l'associer à ce groupe. Belle voix, mais je trouve les morceaux monotones (à part justement 'Glory Box' très réussi), et 10/11 morceaux monotones font un album ennuyeux. Il n'est cependant pas désagréable à entendre (+1). =>2/5
Eh
Meh
Vieläkin musta vähän tylsää tää Portishead. 2/5
Meh.
Mysterons - Man if all the vocals are like this, I'm in for a long one...Not for me 1min in. I don't mind the instrumentation, but overall pretty boring. Sour Times - I don't think I'm gonna like a single song on this album. Vocals are just not for me. Instrumentation isn't interesting enough. Random thoughts: Ok so just found out Portishead is considered "trip hop" dont think i know anyone else in that genre. I can definitely see why this album was critically acclaimed, but boy is it not for me Strangers - So much of this album sounds the same. Putting me to sleep. Like do SOMETHING WITH THE VOCALS. BE INTERESTING! Sorry, just not a fan. It Could Be Sweet - Ok this one is starting off a bit different, kinda fun so far. Ope and then Beth comes in with the most uninspired vocals. The production literally sounds like elevator music now... Like I just can't imagine seeing this band live, you'd fall asleep. Not that live shows are the end all be all for judging bands, but... Wandering Star - This production kinda reminds me of a Splinter Cell soundtrack. It's just that little bass line or whatever it is. Kinda fun. Beth's vocals just aren't for me. Sorry I keep repeating that. It's A Fire - It's just not very entertaining. Nothing grabs my attention Numb - Sounds like Griselda is gonna come rap on this. Roads - This one has a lot of streams, lets see if it lives up to the hype. I like the moody intro. Ope and then Beth comes in.....fuck. Yeah I didn't like it Pedestal - I kinda like the production on this one, sounds very modern. Almost reminds me of Badbadnotgood. This might be my favorite song, but still not a big fan. Biscuit - I think the production on this album is actually pretty sweet. This is another good example. I can definitely tell that this was pretty revolutionary at the time of release. Or if not revolutionary, I can see why it was praised by critics. Seems pretty modern tbh. But Beth's vocals are not my cup of tea at all Glory Box - Ok, most streams on the album, better be good. Yeah it's gonna be more of the same. Production/instrumentation kinda cool, but not something I'd go back to. Might be Beth's best performance though Overall thoughts - You can reference my thoughts from Biscuit. I get why this was critically acclaimed, but I have no desire to listen to it again.
un meh muy mehazo
Some good songs but not my favorite voice
Dark lofi
Yeah sorry just not hearing the greatness here.
Had kinda a skewed view of them before listening to this. The rip was the only other song I knew by them and this album was v different than that. I like the weirdness though just not my fav
I really liked the music but wasn’t into the vocals
The 90s were, in my opinion, the best era to grow up in musically. That opinion is not based on Portishead being active, as they are the dreariest bunch of bastards.
Alright album, not by any stretch something I'd ordinarily listen to. Genre was almost lo-fi but not quite. Would maybe listen to the first two songs, again but not in a rush. Don't actively hate it but definitely not the most enjoyable listen I've had.
Not for me this one. Too slow and felt repeative. Would have to be in a very specific sort of mood to enjoy this.
Reminds me of how music was influenced but still not my taste. Fist half of the album was good, lost interest in the middle
Not good.
очень мрачно и музыка с болот, не могу долго слушать
Did not leave a lasting impression
This was a 1 star album until Glory Box added the second star. 2 stars or D+.
While I think that this is one of the most interesting albums I've listened to so far, it didn't really leave much more of an impression on me. I enjoy the vibe of it for the most part, though.
Not hugely into it. Could honestly have given it a one but a few tracks on the back end of the album kinda saved it.
Kinda gave me evanescence vibes. I didn’t think it was particularly great though. I also need to write my review on Friday.
An interesting album. Not much that I can really compare it to. I appreciate it's place on this list, but I wasn't crazy about it.
Not my type of music. Nondescript.
2,5
It is true I find this listenable. Can I differentiate between songs? No.
Not for me. Not enough gusto for my taste.
Bad. Rambly and simplistic.
I wanted to like this. But after a while it just felt like a slog. 2.5 but rounding down bc I’ve been giving too many generic 3s. Sorry Portishead.
Bleak and depressing. Felt like I should put on a turtleneck and drink coffee in a dark room all day.
I had heard of Portishead, but never heard their music. I didn’t mind it. More trip than hop, in my opinion. I did really like Beth’s voice. Lots of mid tempo songs that I enjoyed. I felt the beginning of the album kept my attention better than the second half. So…..now I can say I heard of Portishead and have listened to their entire album.
Mom please come pick me up I’m scared
Definitely James Bond credit worthy material. But it didn’t hold up through the whole album. It faded into simple background music halfway through. High 2+.
Ehh, it was aight.
Very slow electronica. Not bad for background music, but Portishead continues not to be something I can connect with. 2/5
Not as trip hop as I wanted.
I like TripHop in general, but never got the hype about Portishead. It's music to die to for me.
Not my kind of music
I just don't get it....I tried and I don't get it.
ganz nett
Not my style of music
jag vill gilla detta och det börjar ganska bra, andra låten är faktiskt jättebra. men sen ser man igenom det och det blir bara sämre.
meh
Es klingt alles so ein bisschen gleich. Im Hintergrund in einer Bar wohl ganz okay.
Not really my style of music and songs drag a bit. A couple are interesting though.
Gloomy, slow and somewhat repetitive. It builds an interesting atmosphere. Favorite track: Roads
I liked it more than I expected to but overall probably won’t listen again
Know nothing about this other than I think I’ve heard the band name before. I want to like this, and it’s not BAD just…boring. I could see this being okay driving around at night, or playing in the background of a Borders books circa 2002, but I don’t think I’d ever actively search this one out. 2/5
Excellent music for a movie to use to indicate a character's declining mental health. As music for me to listen to, not really into it.
2.5
In my early days of sexual relations with the ladies, I’d always put slow burning songs on to make the mood right. This album would do it. It won’t make you stop mid thrust and say “Ooooo I like this song” but you’d still think it. Aside from Glory Box, that’s a stop thrusting track Choice Cut: Glory Box
Not my cup of tea
Started skipping when I realized I had no idea if I was listening to a new track or not.
could i write poetry to this? n
This album has never clicked with me. It's not bad, there's just nothing that makes me want to come back for more.
Groovy and moody, I like it as a background brain food type sound.
Boring
I really don't like her voice.
Different. A couple catchy songs. Not my favorite
Eh.
It didn't fetch me or I didn't get it. Maybe both. At first it felt a bit like old Evanescence stuff in a different way. They had many good ideas but didn't think them through. Felt like waiting for something that wouldn't happen. Like stopping every time you're about to orgasm.
I didn’t buy this album in 1994 and I never have been that into it. I understand why it’s important, but just not my jam.
triphop er ikke for mig tror jeg :/ begyndte ret hurtigt at kede mig
Worth another listen. But basically not my kind of thing.
OK but not a favourite
On paper I should really like this. Hip hop beats mixed with electronic and ambient. This should be my number one album from that description, but it's just not hitting. Maybe it's the vocals. Yeah, those are really bringing it down. And the dark and creepy edge the music has is unsettling, and not enjoyable.
While I respect the astute production, it seems despite all the intricate production the songs aren't all that memorable as individuals tracks. The lyrics and vocal performance seem disjointed from the instrumentals completely, and perhaps that is the point artistically, but who knows? I am brought back to memories of brooding people in booths puffing away on clove cigarettes while high on Molly. Personally, of the Bristol sound, I am a bigger fan of Massive Attack's soundscape. Being an adult in 90s, when this album came out, every decade or so I have tried to get into Portishead and their album DUMMY, in particular, but never quite managed to feel anything from their album. If you have also come away with this feeling, I recommend instead, the far lesser known British band of the time, 12 Rounds "My Big Hero" which creates grooves that support the vocals rather than feeling like an endless come down room at a rave. They are also more fearless about exploring other genres. Atticus Ross, a founding member of 12 Rounds with his wife Claudia Sarne, would eventually become the second permanent member of Nine Inch Nails. Perhaps this would have been more interesting as an instrumental only album. I sometimes feel the intent of this album was meant for DJs and not for individuals to listen to as an album. Over the years people have told me they get Bond-esque vibes from this album, but I just don't hear it. This lacks the big bold vocal and instrumental arrangements of the best Bond tracks like "Goldfinger", "You Only Live Twice", "Nobody Does It Better", and "Goldeneye", all tracks released prior to this album. And quite frankly Gibbons doesn't feel like she has the pipes for that kind of performance. If you did not grow up in the 90s and wonder why there were so many rock/electronica albums in the 90s, it was because recording and mixing electronica became far more affordable, with advances of personal computers and the rise of the Internet in the 90s, than it had been prior to the boom in audio DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), such as Digidesign Pro Tools.
Never heard before. think, I'm not missing a lot.
Kinda like if Cranberries and a Baz Luhrmann had a baby
Fjortishövve.
Chilly electronics
way too much cymbal/etc. in the drums for me
Another meh album. This sounded a bit like Fiona Apple, but not as good.
Not horrible but definitely not for me. Don't like electronics and don't care for the vocals.
An odd mixture of cheesy movie soundtrack themes with James Bond-type vocals.
Just not really a Portishead fan, don't think I ever will be, whole album is just meh
If it was just music, it might be listenable. Don’t care for the lyrics, not my style.
Kinda weird and unique. Makes me think of a movie album.
Pretty boring. The songs are not very distinguishable from each other. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Definitely 90's club music
J'aime bien Sour Time, sinon j'ai pas détesté mais j'ai pas accroché. La dernière chanson impossible de l'apprécier elle est trop teintée par la pub Nina ricci 2.5
Je connaissais que Glory Box. Je comprends pourquoi, c'est la seule bien...
I’m sorry, but listening to the vocalist, Nadja from What We Do In the Shadows came to mind, and then I couldn’t get that out. I remember the release of Glory Box and their performance on TOTP was a massive thing (because they were from the sameish county as it from), but honestly I didn’t and still don’t get the hype. Trip-Hop? Dance act? I don’t even know what it is but I know it’s up its own arse.
Music brought my spirits down.
Pretty Boring
this is not usually the type of music that is in my wheelhouse. and also today I am road tripping, so I think this album did not land for me twice over. I don't think it was bad, but I found it to be a little dull, and it does not make for good road trip music. not my thing!
Day5 - not my cup of tea. Sour Times and Glory Box are good but the rest no thanks
Didn’t care for the vocals, music was good. 2/5
Not my preference but ight
Some interesting soundscapes, a few really good grooves, and interesting hip-hop influence. Can tell this was influential on some later music, my mind went immediately to the song in the waiting line by Zero 7. Ultimately just didn’t enjoy that many tracks, way more misses than hits.
How is this so acclaimed? I find it really boring. Reminds me of Bjork.
Kind of boring.
I haven't uncovered why this album has been heaped with so much praise and I'm left feeling empty. After listening several times, I experienced a continual disconnect like I'm missing a puzzle piece leading me each time with increased frustration. Part of the problem was my own faulty perception to hear something more driving and upbeat. But the other element I picked up on, though perhaps I'm being a bit jaded, save for Beth Gibbons, is how lifeless this feels in places or even forced. It seems as though Portishead is so reliant on samples and setting a mood that the elements of memorable song writing/craft suffer. This isn't bad. There are interesting things happening with the music, but I hoped and expected more and found myself feeling exhausted trying to enjoy it.
Very cool. It sounded cool. I'd put this on if I owned a record shop and had to run inventory while opening the store and warming up the espresso machine. Enjoyable, but mainly for the vibes.
Geht so
Honestly, a bit mopey. Not for me
2/5 - not my cuppa
I remember in the mid 90s, as a student, you were expected to like dirge like this but it just never appealed to me
Probably hugely influential for loads of artists I like. Also slightly unreal this was 1994. Glory Box is a classic. Wouldn’t listen again but appreciate it for what it is.
Sad android music.
Quite fun and varied album. I still zooned out though when sitting in a plane on my way to London only listening to that... Hope you guys enjoyed work ;)