Despite its sheer brilliance, 'Dummy' is more of a necessary debut which sounds a bit calculated. Which is mostly due to its predominantly slow pace - although the 'noir' effect in the sound is all Portishead's signing. At the time, Tricky and Massive Attack largely dominated and informed the trip-hop forum (personally I always hated the 'trip-hop' tag), including this timeless classic.

From the point where she might be a female Thom Yorke, weeping out of depression, Beth Gibbons' is actually one the most unique voices in the music business. White singers sing with a passion all of their own, however, it is quite rare to have a talent of a black singer - which Gibbons makes quite a match (especially in the group's most astonishing (or popular) moment of 'Glory Box' - which sadly seems to have one of the most stupid fade outs to a song).

'Dummy' is a deserved act of cool but the group's next two albums are far more diverse and dynamic, despite the morbid aspects or their ever-present monotony.

"trip-hop"? "downtempo"? although it is a dark record, between beth gibbons' tortured voice, geoff barrows' beats, scratches and samples, and adrian utleys' jazzy guitar: this album is pure sex.

don't believe me? try it.