I’ve checked out the PortisheadDummy CD from my library several times, but I’ve never bought a copy. After checking out yesterday, I’m really not sure why I never purchased it… because it really is worth it.
Mysterons, the opening song, is very “mysterious,” and tells the listener immediately that this music is not the norm. The frequent, short drum rolls add to the tension the vocalist induces with her syrupy, light voice.
Sour Times is one of my favorites on the CD. The beginning almost sends shivers up my spine. Throughout the song, there is a repeated bass chord that holds the song all together. Despite the lyrics “Nobody loves me its true/ Not like you do,” the song is fairly sad-sounding. This song displays the vocalist’s almost R&B-ish voice really well.
Strangers right from the start this song makes me want to dance… but the song is so slow, it almost seems impossible. The sudden quiet, old record-sounding lyrics contrast really well with the rest of the upbeat (in comparison to the rest of the album) song. I really get a kick out of the cliché beat that is heard a few times throughout the song. You’ll know it when you hear it… it almost sounds out of place in this song, but I think it adds an almost comical feeling.
It Could Be Sweet this song starts out with an R&B-ish beat, and the vocals in this song are very R&B as well. The double-beats in the bass drum are imperative to making this song sound almost upbeat, but not quiet. There is a small section where the drums are taken out (but not the soft symbol-swishes) and it is obvious when you listen to the rest of the song. This is a beautiful song.
Wandering Star is a fairly scary sounding song in the beginning. This is another of my favorites on the album. The repetitive bass strumming and subtle scratching make this song really fantastic. This is a really laid back song that again has me feeling an urge to sway along with the music. You’ll again hear a subtle, cliché record scratch, adding another almost comical piece. Great song.
It’s a Fire sounds similar in the beginning to other songs on this album, but this song is very different. It displays the vocalist’s skills very beautifully. This song isn’t as “creepy” as other songs on the album; instead it fills the listener with a hopeful feeling. I really like the organ in the background of this song. “So breathe on, sister/ Breathe on.” Beautiful.
Numb is fairly slow, and sounds similar to many other songs on this album. The vocalist’s voice takes on a different, almost kid-ish quality, adding an almost-happy feeling to this song. Well, in comparison. There is more slow scratching in this song.
Roads begins with a vibrato effect in it, adding suspense; making you want to know what’s to come in the rest of the song. The vocalist sings in a higher range in this song than she does in other songs. “How can it feel this wrong/ From this moment/ How can it feel this wrong.” I think the vocalist really displays her emotions in this song. It’s almost painful to listen to.
Pedestal makes me want to dance right from the start. The vocalist’s voice reminds me of the theme song to “Are You Being Served?” though I’m not sure why. I think it’s because she takes on an almost spoken quality for this song. I really like the trumpet feature in this song.
Biscuit… such an odd name for a song. I thought at first that there was some malfunction with the disc, because it takes awhile for the song to actually start, but when it does, I find myself wanting to almost-dance again. That seems to be a common feeling… “Can’t make myself heard/ No matter how hard I scream,” I think, are beautiful lyrics. All in all, though, I’m not a huge fan of this song.
Glory Box has an awesome slow, bass intro with a touch of strings. Beautiful. The vocalist’s voice is a bit lower than in the other songs, and I really like it. This song is a great song to exit with; it makes me want to check out other Portishead CDs.
Portishead invokes so many feelings when I listen to them. It’s emotional, beautiful, depressing, jazzy, R&B, old, and many more adjectives I can’t think of. This music is so different from lots of things I’ve heard, and I just love it. The mix of bluesy R&B with the eerie tone this album holds draws the listener in. Even if you hate this CD, you will still listen to the whole things, because it’s so addicting; you have to at least try it.
The only thing I don’t like about this album is that many of the songs are repetitive. I liked the chance they took with It’s a Fire. I’d like to see more of that. Also, I wish there were more songs on this album. Some people also may find this music too dreary.
This music makes me want to dance and sleep at the same time. It’s relaxing and beautiful. Perfect for this bleak season, in my epinion.
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