Dummy Review: Cinematic Trip-Hop Noir

Madison Clarke
AlbumsElectronicSoul
Portishead - Dummy (1994)

9.5/10 — Portishead - Dummy (1994)

Pros

  • Beth Gibbons's voice
  • Atmospheric, cinematic production
  • 'Glory Box'

Cons

  • Unrelentingly moody

Dummy was Portishead’s debut, built by producer Geoff Barrow and guitarist Adrian Utley around Beth Gibbons’s aching vocals. It combines crackling samples and film-score atmosphere.

What works

‘Glory Box’, ‘Sour Times’ and ‘Roads’ are stunning, with Gibbons’s voice full of longing. The production, with turntable scratches, old samples and spy-film guitar, is rich and distinctive, and the mood is cohesive.

Where it falters

The tone is mournful throughout, and a couple of tracks blend together.

Verdict

A beautiful, haunting classic of the 1990s.

Madison ClarkeBy Madison Clarke