Written by Anthony Nguyen
December 23, 2005

While other groups may have invented the sub-genre "trip-hop", which composes of hip hop beats, samples, and organic instruments in a fancy mesh, none was more apparent in bringing it into the spotlight than Portishead. Their 1995 debut, Dummy, was an enriching look into the depths of a new style of music.

The dark and mellowdramatic "Mysterons" led the decent into the Portishead world as the opening track on Dummy. "Mysteron's" key element was its incredible use of the theremin, which gave a haunting wail throughout the track. The tight beat and snare-fetish made the song attractive and only added to the atmosphere of mystery and dispair.

Alot has to be said for Beth Gibbons, the voice that leads the way in Portishead music. There are few better selections for this type of music than her voice, and honestly I can't think of any off the top of my head right now. The combination of Gibbons' vocals and Adrian Utley's guitar and the outstanding production of Geoff Barrow make songs like "Mysterons" an instant hit.

And it doesn't hurt that the use of sampling and table scratches are almost flawless. And it doesn't hurt that the bass is cranked so high that it's deaf-defying at times. And it doesn't hurt that it's a great segway into the rest of the album's core.