Portishead

Portishead are one of the central groups of trip-hop, along with fellow Bristolians Massive Attack and Tricky. Their debut album Dummy (1994) was a seminal example of the genre, while Portishead (1997) was also highly regarded. In 2008 they returned from a lengthy hiatus with arguably their best album yet, Third.

Portishead were formed in Bristol, England, in 1991 by multi-instrumentalist Geoff Barrow, singer Beth Gibbons and jazz guitarist Adrian Utley. Following on from their first release, an EP Numb, Portishead released their debut full-length album Dummy in 1994 to massive critical acclaim. Now considered by many to be a modern day classic, Dummy spawned three hit singles, the previously released "Numb", "Sour Times" and "Glory Box", and won the 1995 Mercury Music Prize. It also cemented Bristol's reputation as the capital of the trip-hop sound - so much so that it is frequently referred to as 'the Bristol sound'.

Portishead released a self-titled second album in 1997. Portishead was not quite as well received as Dummy, and some critics alleged it was too similar to the debut. However, many others were impressed by its cinematic scope and creepy atmospherics. After Portishead, the band took a long break, only releasing a live album in 1998, Live: Roseland NYC. In 2005, they made an appearance at the Tsunami Benefit Concert in Bristol - their first live gig in more than seven years.

In spring 2008, Portishead returned with their first studio album in 11 years, the imaginatively titled Third. The album was another big hit with critics and fans, who appreciated its progression from Portishead's archetypal trip-hop sound towards a more modern krautrock-influenced vibe.