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Tracklist
Mysterons | 4:56 | ||
Sour Times | 4:05 | ||
Strangers | 3:49 | ||
It Could Be Sweet | 4:10 | ||
Wandering Star | 4:46 | ||
Numb | 3:43 | ||
Roads | 4:56 | ||
Pedestal | 3:30 | ||
Biscuit | 4:34 | ||
Glory Box | 4:49 |
Credits (13)
- Adrian UtleyBass
- Clive DeamerDrums
- Geoff BarrowElectric Piano [Rhodes]
- Dave Mc Donald*Engineer
- Adrian UtleyGuitar
- Fruit (8)Management
Notes
Winner of the 1995 Mercury Music Prize.
Following the initial issue, there were Australian, American & Euro releases with an additional track "It's A Fire" inserted between "Wandering Star" & "Numb" [e.g. 828 553 vs the earlier 828 522 issues]. On vinyl, "It's A Fire" is listed as an additional track only on the Greek edition of the album. Some later issues also include the remix "Sour Sour Times" plus the "To Kill A Dead Man" track (from the film which led to Portishead's record contract and the cover image used on "Dummy").
For "Glory Box", most booklets claim Isaac Hayes' "Ikes Rap III" as sample source, but actually it's a sample from "Ikes Rap II" that is used (the same sample Tricky used on "Hell Is Round the Corner").
Track 2 contains samples from Lalo Schifrin's "Danube Incident" a percussion sample from Smokey Brooks' "Spin-It Jig".
Track 3 contains samples Weather Report's "Elegant People".
Track 5 contains samples from Eric Burdon & War's "Magic Mountain"
Track 9 contains samples from Johnnie Ray's "I'll Never Fall In Love Again"
Track 10 contains samples from Isaac Hayes' "Ike's Rap II".
Following the initial issue, there were Australian, American & Euro releases with an additional track "It's A Fire" inserted between "Wandering Star" & "Numb" [e.g. 828 553 vs the earlier 828 522 issues]. On vinyl, "It's A Fire" is listed as an additional track only on the Greek edition of the album. Some later issues also include the remix "Sour Sour Times" plus the "To Kill A Dead Man" track (from the film which led to Portishead's record contract and the cover image used on "Dummy").
For "Glory Box", most booklets claim Isaac Hayes' "Ikes Rap III" as sample source, but actually it's a sample from "Ikes Rap II" that is used (the same sample Tricky used on "Hell Is Round the Corner").
Track 2 contains samples from Lalo Schifrin's "Danube Incident" a percussion sample from Smokey Brooks' "Spin-It Jig".
Track 3 contains samples Weather Report's "Elegant People".
Track 5 contains samples from Eric Burdon & War's "Magic Mountain"
Track 9 contains samples from Johnnie Ray's "I'll Never Fall In Love Again"
Track 10 contains samples from Isaac Hayes' "Ike's Rap II".
Versions
Filter by
131 versions
, | – | ||||||||
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![]() | Dummy LP, Album | Go! Beat – 828 522-1 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | ||||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Beat – 828 522-2 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album, Stereo | Go! Beat – 828 553 - 2, Go! Beat – 828 553-2 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | ||||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album | Go! Beat – 828 553-4 | India | 1994 | India — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album | Go! Beat – 828 522-4 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Beat – 828 553-2, Polydor – 828 553-2 | Australasia | 1994 | Australasia — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album Digipak | Go! Beat – 828 553-2 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | ||||
![]() | Dummy LP, Album | Go! Beat – 828 522-1, Go! Beat – 828522-1 | Greece | 1994 | Greece — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Beat – POCD-1153 | Japan | 1994 | Japan — 1994 | ||||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album, Promo | Go! Discs – PRCD 6871-2, London Records – PRCD 6871-2, Go! Beat – PRCD 6871-2 +1 more label... | US | 1994 | US — 1994 | ||||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album | Go! Beat – 422 828 553 4, Go! Discs – 422 828 553 4 | Canada | 1994 | Canada — 1994 | Needs Changes | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album, Unofficial Release | Go! Beat – 828 55 -2 | Bulgaria | 1994 | Bulgaria — 1994 | Needs Changes | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album, Club Edition | Go! Discs – P2 28553, Go! Beat – 422 828 553-2 | Canada | 1994 | Canada — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Beat – 828 522-2 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album, Stereo | Go! Beat – 828 522-2, Go! Beat – 828 522-1 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | ||||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album Dolby System | London Records – 422 828 553 4, Go! Discs – 422 828 553 4 | US | 1994 | US — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Beat – 828 522-2, Go! Beat – 828 522-1 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Beat – 828 553 - 2, Go! Beat – 828 553-2 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | ||||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album, Promo 35, CrO₂, Dolby HX Pro, B NR | London Records – 422 828 553 4, Go! Discs – 422 828 553 4 | US | 1994 | US — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album, Stereo | Go! Beat – 828 553-2 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy LP, Album, Test Pressing, Promo, White Label | Go! Beat – 828 522-1 | Greece | 1994 | Greece — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album | Go! Beat – 422 828 600-4, Go! Discs – 422 828 600-4 | Canada | 1994 | Canada — 1994 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album PMDC, USA Pressing | Go! Discs – 422-828 553-2, London Records – 422-828 553-2, Go! Beat – 422-828 553-2 +1 more label... | US | 1994 | US — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
Dummy CD, Album, Unofficial Release | Go! Beat (2) – 828 553 - 2, Go! Beat – CD-234 | China | 1994 | China — 1994 | New Submission | ||||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album, Unofficial Release | Poker Sound by Roton – 1829 | Romania | 1994 | Romania — 1994 | ||||
Dummy CD, Album, Unofficial Release | Go! Discs (2) – 422-828 553-2, Go! Beat (2) – 422-828 553-2, London Records (3) – 422-828 553-2 +1 more label... | US | 1994 | US — 1994 | Recently Edited | ||||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album | Go! Beat – 828 522-4 | Thailand | 1994 | Thailand — 1994 | ||||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album Pitman Pressing | Go! Discs – 422-828 553-2, London Records – 422-828 553-2, Go! Beat – 422-828 553-2 +1 more label... | US | 1994 | US — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Beat – 828 553 - 2, Go! Beat – 828 553-2, Go! Beat – 422-828 553-2, London Records – 422-828 553-2 +2 more labels... | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Beat – 828 522-2 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album | Go! Beat – 828 553-4 | Malaysia | 1994 | Malaysia — 1994 | ||||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Discs – 422-828 553-2, London Records – 422-828 553-2, Go! Beat – 422-828 553-2 +1 more label... | US | 1994 | US — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Beat – 828 522 - 2 | UK | 1994 | UK — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album | Go! Beat – 828 553 - 2, Go! Beat – 828 553-2 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album | Go! Beat – 828553-4 | Thailand | 1994 | Thailand — 1994 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Dummy LP, Album, Misprint First Press | Go! Beat – 828 522-1 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy Cassette, Album, Stereo Clear Shell | London Records – 828553 | Chile | 1994 | Chile — 1994 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album PMDC Pressing | Go! Discs – 422-828 553-2, London Records – 422-828 553-2, Go! Beat – 422-828 553-2 +1 more label... | US | 1994 | US — 1994 | Recently Edited | |||
![]() | Dummy CD, Album, Club Edition | Go! Discs – P2 28553, Go! Beat – 422 828 553-2 | Canada | 1994 | Canada — 1994 | New Submission | |||
![]() | Dummy LP, Album, Test Pressing | Go! Beat – 828522 | Europe | 1994 | Europe — 1994 | New Submission |
Recommendations
Reviews
Show All 107 ReviewsMy version is very similar but does not have anything etched on the run outs. Anyone seen this or is it maybe a bootleg? I haven't seen anything about bootlegs for this release though???
referencing Dummy (LP, Album, Reissue, 180 gram) 828 522-1
Sound is good value for the price point. At least it sounds mastered for vinyl. However, I'm sure there are (or will be) more audiophile pressings.

referencing Dummy (LP, Album, Reissue, 180 gram) 828 522-1
Good dynamic bass recording. There are a few clicks, but it's even for the best with such a Bristol sound. I recommend it

referencing Dummy (LP, Album, Reissue, 180 gram) 828 522-1
This pressing far exceeded my expectations for the price point. Beautifully manufactured, I experienced no pops or crackles, and it sounds phenomenal. If you are a fan of Portishead, this is a great re-press to add to your collection.

referencing Dummy (LP, Album, Reissue, 180 gram) 828 522-1
The album is a masterpiece! But I’m so disapointed by my copy (variant 1 of the 2017 release). It is just terrible… awful… it’s flat, muffled… no relief. I have the CD from the original release and a quality AAC from the itune store to compare, on the same hifi system.

referencing Dummy (LP, Album, Reissue, 180 gram) 828 522-1
Lovely sound on mine. Quiet and full, with just the right amount of bass, mids and treble. Had this on CD for years but I much prefer this on vinyl. I’m not normally fussed about format as long as the end product sounds good, but this one feels right on record. Recommended.
Plus I’ve now got all their other albums on the way.
Plus I’ve now got all their other albums on the way.

referencing Dummy (LP, Album, Reissue, 180 gram) 828 522-1
From the “Dummy” Wikipedia page:
“In order to create a vintage sound, Barrow said that they distressed the vinyl records they had recorded by "putting them on the studio floor and walking across them and using them like skateboard", and they also recorded the sound through a broken amplifier.”
I notice the most crackle on “Glory Box”. It’s on the digital version as well.
“In order to create a vintage sound, Barrow said that they distressed the vinyl records they had recorded by "putting them on the studio floor and walking across them and using them like skateboard", and they also recorded the sound through a broken amplifier.”
I notice the most crackle on “Glory Box”. It’s on the digital version as well.

referencing Dummy (LP, Album) 828 522-1
Please contact me if you have a copy to sell. Thanks!
referencing Dummy (LP, Album, Reissue, 180 gram) 828 522-1
There are two versions of this reissue - 2008 and 2017. I can’t figure out which mine is as the notes for both versions claim they have identical speech marks around Dummy on the label. However, mine has all the same characteristics as both versions except the speech marks around DUMMY on mine are of the the “66” “99” variety and NOT identical. Can we get some clarification? I don’t want to open the record to read the matrix. Thanks
PS I’ve just looked up the original pressing of this record which has the ‘66’ ‘99’ speech marks around DUMMY so I’m going to assume that the earlier 2008 release (this version) is correct for anyone with the ‘66’ and ‘99’ and the later 2017 reissue must be the version with identical speech marks. I hope this makes sense!
PS I’ve just looked up the original pressing of this record which has the ‘66’ ‘99’ speech marks around DUMMY so I’m going to assume that the earlier 2008 release (this version) is correct for anyone with the ‘66’ and ‘99’ and the later 2017 reissue must be the version with identical speech marks. I hope this makes sense!

referencing Dummy (LP, Album, Reissue, 180 gram) 828 522-1
Bought from Ebay for about $21, the sleeve seemed flismy and the vinyl doesn't seem 180gram to me but after checking the matrix runouts this is definitely the pressing. It was quite dirty and required a wet cleaning. The overall mastering is very quiet with a lot of low end. However the mids and highs are lacking in clarity and detail, I had to adjust my EQ on my system. Not unhappy for the price but definitely expected a better package and mastering. 7/10 for me