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. ~ John Bush