Portishead Dummy (vinyl LP )

Release date 30-04-2004(Originally released in 1994)

2004 EU reissue standard vinyl LP( 1995 Mercury Music Prize )

Including the singles "Numb," " Sour Times "and "Glory Box". Portisheads 1994 debut Dummy is a timeless album that swings from mood to moodfrom heartbreakingly dark to teary eyed to slightly optimistic.  And implies many styles rock, jazz, soul, hip hop, gospel, classical,  while keeping it consistent and gaspingly beautiful. Dummy doesn't even sound like it was recorded in ANY era. Its ahead of its time while keeping a effective filmnoir quality. Sealed in picture sleeve.

Tracks
A1 Mysterons
A2 Sour Times
A3 Strangers
A4 It Could Be Sweet
A5 Wandering Star

B1 Numb
B2 Roads
B3 Pedestal
B4 Biscuit
B5 Glory Box

Portishead's album debut is a brilliant, surprisingly natural synthesis of claustrophobic spy soundtracks, dark breakbeats inspired by frontman Geoff Barrow's love of hip-hop, and a vocalist (Beth Gibbons) in the classic confessional singer/songwriter mold. Beginning with the otherworldly theremin and martial beats of "Mysterons," Dummy hits an early high with "Sour Times," a post-modern torch song driven by a Lalo Schifrin sample. The chilling atmospheres conjured by Adrian Utley's excellent guitar work and Barrow's turntables and keyboards prove the perfect foil for Gibbons, who balances sultriness and melancholia in equal measure. Occasionally reminiscent of a torchier version of Sade, Gibbons provides a clear focus for these songs, with Barrow and company behind her laying down one of the best full-length productions ever heard in the dance world. Where previous acts like Massive Attack had attracted dance heads in the main, Portishead crossed over to an American, alternative audience, connecting with the legion of angst-ridden indie fans as well. Better than any album before it, Dummy merged the pinpoint-precise productions of the dance world with pop hallmarks like great songwriting and excellent vocal performances.= ALLMUSIC=