What makes Glory Times by Portishead notable?

This album is significant for its representation of the burgeoning trip hop genre and its influence on subsequent artists in electronic and alternative music. Critics have noted its critical reception, with many highlighting how it expanded the boundaries of downtempo music and contributed to the band's lasting legacy. In 1995, Portishead was solidifying its place in the music scene following the success of their debut album, Dummy. Glory Times came as a compilation of remixes and B-sides, showcasing their distinctive sound while bridging their early work with future explorations.

Who is Glory Times for?

Glory Times works well if you're into steady pacing for reflective moments, haunting melodies for late nights and consistent flow for focused listening.

How many songs are on Glory Times?

Glory Times has 10 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Glory Times

Portishead · 1995

46 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock

A haunting blend of melancholic melodies and atmospheric soundscapes that encapsulates the essence of trip hop.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Sour Sour Times — This track exemplifies Portishead's signature sound with its somber lyrics and a hypnotic blend of samples and live instrumentation, setting the tone for the album.
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Glory Box (edit) — The song features a powerful vocal delivery paired with lush orchestration, making it one of Portishead's most recognized tracks that blends emotional depth with experimental production.
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Theme From To Kill a Dead Man — This track's eerie atmosphere and cinematic quality showcase the band's ability to create tension and mood through minimalistic arrangements, enhancing the overall immersive experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album's remixes and B-sides maintain Portishead's signature sound while exploring new textures.

What we noticed

The sequencing maintains a consistent atmospheric tone, with transitions that blend seamlessly between tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady pacing for reflective moments
haunting melodies for late nights
consistent flow for focused listening
melancholic soundscapes for introspection

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat, fast tempos
need instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: In 1995, Portishead was solidifying its place in the music scene following the success of their debut album, Dummy. Glory Times came as a compilation of remixes and B-sides, showcasing their distinctive sound while bridging their early work with future explorations.
Stylistic neighbors: Massive Attack· Tricky· FKA twigs

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Sour Sour Times

The narrative voice reflects on betrayal while invoking vivid imagery of despair.

This choice to intertwine personal pain with rich descriptive language deepens the emotional impact, drawing listeners into a shared sense of vulnerability.