Along with Massive Attack and DJ Shadow, Portishead's debut album popularized the trip-hop genre. The mix between organic instrumentation (drum beats that flirt with hip-hop, bass) and electronic sound (loops, scratches and sampling) provides a particular atmosphere in which you can sink in right from the first track, Mysterons.
But the most distinctive element to this LP is Beth Gibbons' presence. The eerie, almost ghostly sound of her voice holds the record together. Even if the band does not hesitate to make heavier tracks like Numb or Wandering Star, Dummy manages to stay emotional without ever stepping into the cheesy side.
It is also worth mentioning some of the various samples used in the album : the decidedly famous Glory Box uses Isaac Hayes' Ike's Rap III and Lalo Schifrin's The Danube Incident in Sour Times.
To this day, Dummy is still considered as one of the best albums from the 90s. It holds surprisingly well from a production standpoint, probably thanks to its careful and minimalist design.
Also worth listening to : Massive Attack's Mezzanine, DJ Shadow's Endtroducing.
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