A few weeks ago, the shortlist was decided for the Mercury Music Prize. It will inevitably be Mike Skinner (aka 'The Streets') who will pick up the coveted title that has been previously won by PJ Harvey, Badly Drawn Boy and Roni Size. Portishead won the award in 1995 for their debut 'Dummy', a genre-defining collection of beats and sounds. Fronted by the enigmatic Beth Gibbons, Portishead were founded by Geoff Barrow (who had previously worked with Massive Attack) and also featured the multi-instrumentalist Adrian Utley. Portishead emerged out of the Bristolian scene at roughly the same time as Tricky (whose 'Maxinequaye' ...  Read the complete review

I was first introduced to this album a couple of years ago when I was shopping with a friend, and he urged me to buy this. I buckled under the pressure and gave in, and oh boy am I glad I did. This album has became an essential soundtrack in my life now, and I don't know how I survived without it before. Portishead originate from Bristol in the UK, and were formed in 1991. They came together through band members Adrian Utley and Geoff Barrow's love of beats and samples, and Beth Gibbons' passion for songwriting. The album Dummy arrived in 1994 and made waves on the music scene in a big way, establishing themselves as a big player in the ...  Read the complete review

Portishead's first album is a magical experience. Ingeniously orchestrated, conceived and performed, all of the songs of the album stand alone as great individual pieces of music, while when played in the order of the album create one of the most electryfing while at the same time somber and relaxed of atmospheres. Music mainly for the night, to be enjoyed in silence and with proper lighting, can be found somewhat depressing by some, especially if you are in the "right", or "wrong" for that matter, mood. Give time to this album. You will find that the more you listen to it the more you will love it, talking ...  Read the complete review

Dummy was Portishead's debut album and I find it hard to believe that it was way back in 1994 that it was first released. The album gained much acclaim at the time and won the Mercury Music Prize in 1995. I've only recently purchased the CD and I'm hooked. Its trip-hop 'Bristol sound' is generally regarded as benchmark of the 1990s music scene. Trip-hop is generally defined as a fusion of hip-hop, chillout and psychedelic rock that has also often been be associated with drug taking. The band have since released two further albums: Portishead in 1997 and Third in 2008. Lead vocalist Beth Gibbons also made the 'Out of Season' album in 2002 with Rustin ...  Read the complete review

This is not a CD for the faint hearted. Portishead's post-grunge mood has only recently bewitched me. But, I can now say without doubt, that 'Dummy' is one of the finest albums of the last decade, an epic which perfectly encapsulates all the required elements of a classic album and then some. The opening 'Mysterons' sets the Theremin flavoured scene, enticing the listener with irrestible guitars. The most bombastic track is 'Sour Times', impossibly groovy and sad at the same time. Yet, Beth never sounds morose and it is this which buoys the album, as there is a hint that her depression may just pass (as it indeed does as 'Glory ...  Read the complete review