The self-titled album from Portishead has really cool production. Unfortunately, the majority of the beats and rhythms are exactly the fuckin’ same and can’t carry the brutally drawn-out song lengths. The monotone nature of this album hurts it.

Sure, it’s consistently dark—as a matter of fact, it’s all dark. But it’s not an evolving journey like their contemporary, Massive Attack, can deliver. Vague torch-song musings also lack the color of Massive Attack’s psychological lyrics. Once the album peaks early on, it’s just weaker variations on the same tricks. Dummy wasn’t much different but still did a bit better in that regard.

Yeah, I always bring up Massive Attack, but fuck it. Bring ’em up in the rankings.