Band: Portishead
Record Label: London Records
Release Date: September 30, 1997

Our Review:
Three years ago, this British trip-hop group's debut
album, Dummy, set the world's ears aflame with its
seductive mix of orchestral samples, hip-hop beats, and the eerily melancholy voice
of Beth Gibbons. Since then, several other ensembles have drawn inspiration from
(copied, some might say) Portishead's sound, and now the originators are back with a
CD that extends the innovations of their first effort without surpassing them. "Over"
comes closest to capturing the feel of Dummy's arresting single "Sour Times," but it's
"Humming" that makes the strongest impact this time around, with its clever
juxtaposition of what sounds like a dentist's drill within an aching melody and slinky
groove. Unfortunately, the band's predilection for downcast moods is wearing thin, as
is Gibbons' excessively mannered and occasionally shrill voice. Still, Portishead
remains an original and highly ambitious group who can rip your heart out when
you're not looking.