"Pioneers of the Trip Hop movement, Portishead were the most unconventional "band" of the 90s -- a shyness of gigs, long distance recording techniques

[Beth Gibbons often recorded vocals in a studio in the countryside and mailed the tapes back to the band] and intense emotion all played a part in creating some of the most beautiful and ethereal music of that time.

"Their initial reluctance to do interviews or perform live meant their first album was marketed by leaving mannequins around London."