Dummy (album)

Dummy, released in 1994, was the debut album of the Bristol-based group Portishead. Building on the promise of their earlier EP, "Numb", it helped to cement the reputation of Bristol as the capital of "trip hop", a nascent genre which was then often referred to simply as "the Bristol sound". Fellow travellers along this experimental path included Massive Attack, Tricky and the record label, A Cup of Tea, who were exploring the margins of hip-hop, soundtracks and jazz just as their fellow Bristolians Smith and Mighty, Rip, Rig and Panic (featuring Neneh Cherry) and The Pop Group had pushed the boundaries of dub, funk and punk before them.

Now considered to be something of a classic, and regarded by many critics as one of the most influential albums of the 1990s, Dummy is arguably darker in tone than much of the music it later inspired.

In addition to the already released "Numb", the album spawned two further singles: "Sour Times" and "Glory Box".

In 1998 Q magazine readers voted Dummy the 16th greatest album of all time.

Track Listing

1. "Mysterons" [5:06]
2. "Sour Times" [4:14]
3. "Strangers" [3:58]
4. "It Could Be Sweet" [4:20]
5. "Wandering Star" [4:56]
6. "It's A Fire" [3:48]*
7. "Numb" [3:58]
8. "Roads" [5:10]
9. "Pedestal" [3:41]
10. "Biscuit" [5:04]
11. "Glory Box" [5:06]

* American and Australian versions of the CD have an extra track, entitled "It's a Fire", between "Wandering Star" and "Numb".

Total Album Time

• Total album time (American and Australian release, including "It's a Fire") [49:24]

• Total album time (not including "It's a Fire") [45:29]

External Links

• Geoff Barrow Interview
• Tracks of Their Tears
• The Bristol Sound
• Portishead Discography