Dummy

#56

[2022, PART 1 - ALBUM 4]

By all means, I should like this album a lot more than I do. Not only is it a Trip Hop album, it's supposedly the greatest Trip Hop album of all time. So it's a surprise even to myself that I find it strangely elusive.

I've spent years racking my brain to try and work out why this is the case. I know it's not the production - the beats are phenomenal. I know it's not the genre - that's a given. So it must just be the vocals. Although it is in all sense a 'me problem', Gibbon's voice just does nothing for me. It's not bad by any means but... I don't know. It's a lacklustre reasoning for so big of a dislike, but it's unfortunately the only one I've got.

But there are praises to sing, certainly. As I mentioned before, the production is incredibly good; the weaving of just so many musical ideas into a coherent beat is possibly unmatched. The catchiness of each track is also worth pointing out; each song has it's own identity, and even the weakest ones has passages that you can't help but hum (or sing) along too. It's an absolute masterpiece of an album - so believe me, the disappointment I feel from not being able to fully connect with it is immeasurable.

Track list breakdown:

Mysterons - Not the strongest opener imo, but still a classic. (6/10)

Sour Times - Even more of a classic (7/10)

Strangers - Flip flops from greatness to disaster throughout (6/10)

It Could Be Sweet - A bit dull (5/10)

Wandering Star - I like this one (7/10)

(It's a Fire - Why is this not listed on the track list? It's actually one of my favourites on the album. Feels like a Lamb song (more about them soon). However, it's also one of the biggest signifiers to me that my main problem lies with the vocalist. Because if Lou Rhodes was on this track I would definitely prefer it. (8/10))

Numb - (6/10)

Roads - No notes here. Love this one. Even on my first listen - back when I didn't like this album at all - I really thought of this as something special. It's just so simple and excellent, with a (get your Sobasically bingo cards ready) stellar build that launches into an incredible bass solo. It's just ugh. Trip Hop classic, one of the undisputed greats. (9/10)

Pedestal - (6/10)

Biscuit - (6/10)

Glory Box - The effects of this beat on the Trip Hop community must be studied. I hope you like it, because it pops up at least two more times in my listening career. I sure do. (8/10)

Ranked:
1. Roads
(It's a Fire)
2. Glory Box
3. Sour Times
4.Wandering Star
5. Mysterons
6. Biscuit
7. Pedestal
8. Numb
9. Strangers
10. It Could Be Sweet

I'm not going to let my skill issue overly downgrade this album, so for now, it's getting a (7/10)