Portishead "Dummy" (1994) - got it
The words that spring to mind with this one are moody, cinematic and a mix of old and new.
"Cinematic", not necessarily meaning grandiose, it's just that the music
creates atmospheres and visuals in my mind. This sense of the
cinematic is emphasised by Beth Gibbons changing her singing voice to
suit each track, almost like a vocal 'actor'.
"Old and new" because they're mixing old jazz, soul and torch-song sounds
with modern production. Organs, strings and moody trumpet with hip hop
beats and scratches.
Opening track "Mysteron" is appropriately titled as it sounds like an old sci-fi b-movie score with a beat. "Glory Box" speaks of sultry noir, and was used as the backing track for MTV's Superrock show, hosted by the glamorous Julia Valet.
Though Portishead didn't invent triphop, this album's sound came to be what many would associate the with the genre.
Sadly, the band's output (though superlative) has been fairly small.
Two albums, then a fantastic live album with the NY orchestra. After
that there was a 10 year wait before their third and (to date) final
album.
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