Cooooooool. Deep moody lounging. An overcast afternoon in Ibiza. The soundtrack that plays over a moody montage of parallel characters in an ensemble drama. Closing credits to a 2000s James Bond movie. I think I love this because its trip hop (whatever that is) without the chaos. It's smooth as hell, a bit disorienting (I really like the lyric "I know everyone I meet"), and sucks you into the vibe. It's a place I enjoyed spending an hour - introspective, somber, plenty of space, but also upbeat. The last track is the only thing that breaks their very serious dedication to maintaining this mood. Maybe a little more cosmic humor would make it perfect. Cooooooool A-
Tatsächlich gerade der Gewinner über Blue Lines. Protection kann mich in schwachen Momenten jederzeit zu Tränen rühren, im Grunde ist jeder Song danach gewagt und Karmacoma auch deshalb so eine gute Wahl, weil Tricky halt diese verschleppte Raubtiernummer mit genau der richtigen Dosis Schulterzucken abliefert die man DA DRAUSSEN als Rüstung drinnen braucht. Auch danach: tolle Atmosphäre zwischen Flug durch wolkigen Nieselsommer (Three), unbilligen Lounge-Sounds (Weather Storm) und dem direkten Anschluss an Unfinished Sympathy (Euro Child und Sly). Am schwierigsten waren für mich immer die beiden Horace-Andy-Nummern, hab ich bis heute auch nicht komplett verstanden, nehme die aber gern mit und der kleine Gag mit Light My Fire amüsiert auf jeden Fall! 4,5
Sounds like music that I would listen to while too high to do anything besides stare forward and think about my life
Puh, da sprach ich vor knapp einer Woche von Teufel und schon ist er da, aus dem Karmacoma erwacht und erinnert daran, welch krasses Tier sich dort reckt und streckt. Hier sitzt jeder Beat, der Bass rollt, wie Gorillaz ihn immer rollen lassen wollte, Elemente klassischer Musik ohne jeglichen Kitsch trotz unverhohlenen Pathos; es hat Kontemplation und es hat Pop, aber noch dieser sympathischen Art, die dich auch an seine Ernsthaftigkeit glauben lässt, ehe es auf „Mezzanine“ zum Headliner Pop wird und es sich für Massive Attack zunehmend schwieriger gestaltet, zu entscheiden: machen wir nun eine für uns typische oder eine von uns erwartete Platte. „Protection“ war da grad kurz vorm Brechen der Welle, wunderschön, groß, abgründig groß, warm aber auch etwas schauderhaft. Und auch wenn man vieles auswendig kennt, so bleibt es mir frisch und keineswegs ausgehöhlt und über-hört wie es so manchen Hits’ Schicksal geworden ist. Aus der Tiefe einer ehrlichen Verbeugung 5.0
Really like this record. It was fresh and interesting at the time, and still sounds great today. However, it should have ended after 'Heat Miser', as that would have felt like a pleasing and natural conclusion - the addition of the live version of 'Light My Fire' at the end disrupts the cohesiveness and doesn't sit well with the rest of the album.
A huge mix of a lot of different styles with no two songs sounding even remotely the same. The album starts so strong with ‘Protection’ having a bass that you can physically feel hitting your ears. This is the first Massive Attack album that I’ve listened to fully & I really enjoyed it
Maybe I’ve heard the first couple of tracks too many times, because they didn’t do much for me. But after that I sat back and enjoyed the rest. The songs are well-written and I like the different vocalists – I even went to see Nicolette in a club having only heard her on this album. Tricky is even ok for a track or two. MA are definitely at the top of the heap in terms of those who led electronic downtempo/trip hop movement. I would give them a 5 if not for the Horace Andy cover of Light My Fire. And the fact that when we saw them live the only singer they brought along was Horace Andy, we got Tracey & Nicolette on vinyl. I concluded that seeing DJ/Producers wasn’t worth it – but then I saw Thievery Corporation with 5 vocalists and Groove Armada with a full band and changed my mind.
Le parti migliori del disco sono quelle dove si sente l’influenza jamaicana ma comunque mi arriva ancora come acerbo il suono. Apparte karmacoma molti pezzi non hanno un’identità sufficientemente interessante però si sentono alcune trovate che porteranno ai più bei dischi successivi.
ЧТО: Второй студийный альбом бристольского трио пионеров трип-хопа. Важный релиз с точки зрения творческого пути Massive Attack, ознаменовавший начало перехода от чистой электроники к живым инструментам. Альбом на перепутье. Дебютный Blue lines - уверенный электронный проект, а великий (без преувеличения) третий альбом Mezzanine - построен на живом звуке. Protection - это перевалочный пункт, своеобразная запятая. Не слишком популярный альбом, хотя и принципиально важный в дискографии MA, как звено в цепи. КАКОЙ: Музыка Massive Attack не определяется жанровыми рамками. Все, что мы можем услышать, - звуковой коллаж из разнообразных сэмплов, живых инструментальных партий, вокала разных исполнителей и элементов если не всех, то уж точно половины жанров музыки на планете. Многие песни, включая титульную, обладают относительно медленным темпом и сообщают спокойствие и сдержанность, характерные в принципе для трип-хопа. Темп композиций в целом упал по сравнению с Blue lines. Интересные, но местами грубоватые сочетания электроники с акустикой. Фортепианные мелодии на Heat Miser, например. На Mezzanine это смешение достигнет апогея, идея будет доведена до необходимого выражения. Песня Karmacoma потягивает на шедевр. Такой наэлектризованный рэгги. Очень занятно. Кроме того, коллега MA по изобретению трип-хопа - Трики появляется на этой песне с речитативом. Вообще на альбоме крайне заметно регги-даб влияние. Стоит только вспомнить об альбоме ремиксов на Protection от Mad Professor (одного из самых больших даб-продюсеров не только Британии, но и мира). Однако не обходится здесь, конечно, и без трип-хопа (куда без него), и звучит он мощно, не даром Massive Attack - признанные пионеры жанра. Поразительно кинематографичная музыка. Sly могла бы легко стать саундтреком к фильму про Джеймса Бонда. Даже духовая секция на четвёртой минуте как у Джона Барри. Про скрипку я вообще молчу. Сильная песня. Эти ребята мастера саундтреков. В целом ощущение от музыки приятное, даже во рту сладкий привкус. И все-таки не могу не придраться. Надо признать, что иногда Protection звучит не слишком уверенно и убедительно из-за метания между электроникой и акустикой. Стыки выходят грубоватыми. Но трое отличных музыкантов способны отшлифовать все неровности и сгладить переходы, что они и доказали на следующем альбоме. О ЧЕМ: Текстовая составляющая не выступает здесь движущей силой песен; она ставит акценты, подчеркивает мысль. В случае Karmacoma текст - также наследие регги. Тема духовной свободы от границ и стереотипов вписывается в любовную историю: «Нам будет плохо вместе. Ты не торопись, иди погуляй и выдохни, потом поговорим спокойно» - говорит лирический герой. Основная тема - душевные проблемы в различных вариациях. Важную роль играет тема незащищенности, возникающей вследствие отчуждения и обособления от общества. Об этом свидетельствует даже название. ИТОГ: Такой альбом - всегда показатель упорной работы исполнителя: эмоциональной, умственной, физической в конце концов. Крепкий и интересный, важный для самих Massive Attack, начинающий робко использовать живые инструменты вместе сэмплов. Такая музыка должна выпускаться и жить, потому что заставляет отвлечься от самокопаний и задуматься о чем-то, помечтать, справиться со всем, что навалилось, и побыть в кои-то веки собой. ЛУЧШИЕ ПЕСНИ: Protection, Sly, Karmacoma
Two '94 trip hop albums in a row. Much preferred portishead out of the two and it was no where near as good as Blue Lines. I do like how the album artwork is a burnt out version of the flammable sign on the first album cover.
Pretty dope. Pared down. Unpolished. I’ve always preferred Pink Floyd without Sid Barrett but solo I like him. He’s got a psych-folk-proto-punk thing going. I hear Donovan, The Iggy and the Stooges, Brian Eno. “No good trying” is some proto punk with thrumming guitar and great drumming. A couple of the more proto-punk songs were real bangers but nothing else stood out, kind of faded into hypnotic, cool background music. Better than expected. B-
I’m not sure how I feel about morisseys voice, but this album was perfectly fine. I don’t have much to say about it other than that it was completely acceptable in terms of sound and lyrics
Loved it, not heard this album before but really like Massive Attack., so wasn’t surprised.
has a unique sound, if i had to put it in a playlist itd probably be with gorilaz songs. some songs kinda remind me of indian songs ive heard? all in all its a good album.
Fabulous chilled album that makes me wish I'd been old enough to go to Ibiza when it came out.
Never listened to these guys before. I always assumed they were kind of metal-adjacent because of their name. Turns out they're actually Thievery Corporation-adjacent. Also turns out that I'm a Massive Massive Attack Fan. Adding to all my groove playlists.
perfect combination of samples and a great voice. drop the light my fire cover, but otherwise perfect
funky, trippy, and above all cool. a very good consistent album with a great sound and vibe
Classic lo fi moody grooves with some stellar tracks and vocals (Tracey Thorn in particular) Still wonderful after almost 30 years.
I hesitated over giving this album 5 stars - but not for too long. If an album is perfection then it's worth ranking it to the highest level. Protection was such a defining record when it was first released. It still tells us a lot about the mid 90's, without losing the edge over the pst 25 years or so. Sometimes I think it's the production that makes this album stand out; then I think it's the songs. Or maybe the vocals of Tracey Thorn alone? It's probably all three. Right place, right time. Still banging.
This was a really nice one. I enjoyed it more than the other Massive Attack album we've had (which I rated 4 stars). Much more of the mellow goodness and less of the hip-hop or reggae elements I don't much (and better executed when it was present). A great listen.
If it didnt have the cover of light my fire, this could potentially round up to a 5. As it stands, its still a really good album that builds a strong mood.
More of a 3.5. The instrumentals are great throughout but occasionally I dislike the vocalists (the "Light My Fire" cover is particularly bad). Love the Tracey Thorne cut, and didn't realize a band I liked had sampled from "Sly" (Does It Offend You, Yeah?'s "Wondering"). Favorite tracks: "Protection", "Weather Storm"
Enjoyed this, good ambient music for working; good beats/vocals/instrumental juxtaposition. Enjoyed Weather Storm, Sly, Euro Child... Not House music tho.
First 1001 album so nothing to compare. In its own right nice easy listening. Think it would be nice on driving somewhere on a winter's night.
good listen with some jams but overall the production value to Mezzanine is just so much better and that means alot to a band like this. Will listen again
Pretty solid album. Has different sounds with each song. I really enjoyed the song Karmacoma. Very relaxing and funky sounds which I enjoyed.
interactive buddy album very chill and atmospheric, I can see why people think very highly of this favorite tracks: protection, spying glass, sly
Not my usual fare but I enjoyed it for what it was. It is un-categorizable in genre, but still feels unified.
Great album overall, standouts for me are protection, heatmiser, better things. Not a fan of spying glass or light my fire though so 4 stars.
It's got a vibe. Good music for when you're unsure how you're feeling and want to cover all the bases.
Sono sempre stato un po' un fan dei Massive Attack e questo album, che non avevo mai sentito, non mi ha deluso. Su questo disco c'è la loro firma inconfondibile, il giusto equilibrio di atmosfera, raffinatezza e senso artistico del pezzo. Le interpretazioni vocali sono tutte molto particolari come sempre. La produzione è forse una delle cose che mi ha sempre impressionato di più dei loro dischi e pensare che questo disco sia stato prodotto nel 1994 mi sembra incredibile. Diciamo che come lati negativi forse è difficile non confrontarli con i Massive Attack successivi e notare che mancano di un livello di raffinatezza superiore che svilupperanno più avanti, certi pezzi sono anche forse non sviluppati al meglio e l'album forse fa sentire lievemente la sua durata. Comunque un po' meno di 4 ma merita il 4.
3.5 pero sube | Me vuelve a pasar con Massive Attack que el disco en general me es agradable y puedo disfrutar de sus detalles, pero me cansa el tema triphopero o electrónico y de pronto ya no le estoy prestando toda mi atención. Creo que este disco me gustó incluso más que el anterior que oímos de ellos por la fusión con otros ritmos y géneros que son lo que le da un poco más de variedad.
3.5 | Después de el disco flojo y soso de Gotan Project este album cayó como un agradable refresco de memoria de la forma en que se puede hacer música electrónica, que puede ser suave, no bailable y no por eso aburrida. Un disco que no hay mucha forma de ponerle nombre, las canciones a pesar de que se pueden sentir de un estilo todas muy distintas, todas creativas, está ese trip hop en algo como Karmacoma, canciones medio ambientales que podrían sentirse influencia del vaporware como Weather Storm o una especie de reggae pop extraño con Spying Glass. Creo lo que me ha agradado mucho de este grupo siempre es que uno no sabe qué esperar, no hacen muchas canciones que se parezcan entre sí (como por ejemplo pudiera uno decir que Daft Punk siempre suena muy similar) y aunque sí obviamente se escuchan metidos en su estilo siempre se siente fresco incluso dentro de un mismo disco. Quizá lo único que me preocupa ahora es si esta lista va a tener demasiado Massive Attack, me puede gustar bastante pero en realidad van dos discos y todavía falta el que creo es el mejor de ellos. A veces siento que abusan de poner casi discografía completa de algunos artistas que no era necesario. En este caso incluso a pesar de mi gusto por el grupo yo no hubiera puesto en la lista ni el debut ni este, solo hubiera puesto Mezzanine... que en teoría todavía falta (o que quizá no venga y simplemente me quede confundido en cómo eligen esos dos sobre el otro).
Perfect ambient work music. I ended up listening to the 'recommended songs' playlist afterwards for hours.
I have to be in the right mood, but this is just so deliciously smooth. Just lie back and let it wash over you.
This album gave me Porcupine Tree vibes. Each song felt like it was performed by a completely different band. While I didn't always care for the lyrics, the tunes were very chill.
I really like Massive Attack so this doesn't come as a surprise to me! A strong 4, not a 5
Love me some Massive Attack, if Mezzanine isn't on this list somewhere down the line I riot. Protection is a good record, though front loaded quite heavily with a drop from Spying Glass onward but those first 4 tracks do a lot of heavy lifting.
Massive Attack can be a little hit or miss for me, especially later on but Protection and Mezzanine are great albums
Þetta var eiginlega allt öðruvísi en ég hafði ímyndað mér Massive Attack. Guð hvað það er gaman að prufa eitthvað nýtt!
This album is low key and groovy, and while it has lost a little luster for me, I still think it is a great album when I'm feeling extra moody.
Moody, groovy, and surprisingly varied. Definitely a solid entry in the trip-hop genre; it's man flaw is that it lacks any real "stand-out" tracks for me.
Thoroughly enjoyable - not quiet as good their first outing "Blue Line's". The Mad Professors remix of the album "No Protection" which used to do it back in the day would probably get 4.5 stars....
My 3rd favourite MA album which still makes for an excellent listen. Overall a quieter affair than either Blue Lines or Mezzanine that can languish a little at times. The vocals are a particularly strong point and it is a very consistent listen front to back with moments of brilliance. The title track is one of those moments; absolutely gorgeous the show stolen by Tracy Thorn's vocals. Eurochild and Better Things are other examples of Massive Attack at the top of their game. Not as brilliant as Blue Lines but hardly the disappointment that some say. 4 🌟
Listened Before? N Pros: This was a great surprise! I've never listened to these people before at all. I'm usually not a fan of all electronic stuff, but they use the vocals so well over the top that it pulls it together very nicely. I think this is the best electronic music I've heard. Cons: Some songs drag a bit. Added to Library? N Songs Added to Playlist: Protection, Three
I loved loved loved the production and instrumentals here. If you want a chill, cool, yet moody atmosphere, this is it.
i really, really liked the intro, i thought that it was very groovy. it’s giving off a very jazzy aura which i don’t listen to, too often but i enjoyed nevertheless ! solid 7/10😊😊
I can’t believe I never noticed that the title track is 8 minutes long. Just goes to show how DAMN smooth it is. Passes like a river, and it could go longer and I wouldn’t mind. This is even better than Blue Lines- better choices, more mature. I love it so. Still not perfect, end to end, though… if Mezzanine doesn’t come up on this list at some point, I’m going to freak out!
It took me a *very* long time to warm to this album. On the balance, though, it is the most ... authentic? organic? ... of MA's first three albums. (Mezzanine, which is my favourite, has Del Naja's bleakness hanging over it; Blue Lines is a great album, but a little bumpy win places.) Anyway...
As with Massive Attack generally, I love about half of this album. Most notably their work with ‘guest’ vocalists Tracy Thorne and Horace Andy. Some great grooves and samples in there. The album in parts sounds very much of its time, production wise, but the songs that work really work. Spying Glass has always been the standout track here for me.
‘Protection’ does its thing quietly and assuredly, with little fuss. It’s warm and intimate, thick and heavy, blunted and moody. File under ‘late night listening’.
This was fun, reminded me of early Archive - I guess it should be the other way round, but nevermind. Anyway, chill beats, somewhat heavy, but not overwhelming. Light My Fire was a nice addition, but was it necessary? Highlight: Protection
Not really an album I would have listened to by myself, but I really liked it. Sonically, I thought it was a bit disjointed but the themes all did come together. Some of the songs are also unnecessarily long, I believe.
Most songs were mid for me. I did like a lot of the production on the album but they could have done a better job with the rest of it. 6,5/10 but it might change after some more listens
Dub, reggae, electronic, even kinda r&b vibes. Not previously familiar with this album, and I don't like it as much as Mezzanine or Blue Lines. Not a huge fan of the Everything but the Girl singer's voice. Do like the reggae/dub tracks. Sound great with good headphones, feel stoned just listening.
1994, Trip hop, reggae, sehr experimentell, Instrumentals aus: Hip Hop, electronica, Jazz/Blues?; Gesang: Rap, flows, Soul Gesang, Instrumentals; männlich und weiblich, geht gut, starke 3
It was nice to revisit Massive Attack. Also ended up revisiting Tricky. What does it say about me that I want to give everything a 3 4 or 5?
On paper I should love Massive Attack. I haven't heard this album, but their other albums underwhelm. Not "bad" just not worth the hype.
"Don't want to be on top of your list... Phenomenally and properly kissed..." (Karmacoma) Me esperaba un poco más de caña para un grupo con ese nombre.
Sooooo ambient it was pretty boring. I like their later album, despite it also being super ambient, but this was just a bit long n slow for me
Pretty okay. I like the first track quite a bit. I have only listened to a little Massive Attack, but I think I might check out more. Didn't know they were this old either.
An album from Massive Attack that's not Mezzanine? Okay, this is gonna be something. Has a few really interesting tracks on it. But a few of them are very strange and eclectic.
Good listen. I appreciate the diversity in styles, and generally liked them all. I preferred the tracks with the female vocals. Better Things was a standout. Some of the tracks ran unnecessarily long.
Personally I'm not really a Massive Attack fan, though I do appreciate that it was a part of the early downtempo/chillwave sort of sound.
My biggest complaint is that it was a little boring. Sounds good, but I don't think I will come back to anything other than the title track. I'm not sure I'm the biggest fan of this kind of music either. Highlight: 1.
It's a very cinematic album. It sounds like it could be in the background of a heist or spy movie. For a soundtrack, it's pretty enjoyable; however as a regular listening album, I think it's not something I can vibe out to or to sing along to. Favorite track: Heat Miser
Un album electro special qui ne se demarque pas trop mais qui est las mal dans le genre. 3.40
Adoro i Massive Attack degli album successivi (non capisco perché Mezzanine non è nella lista), qui sono ancora un po' acerbi ma si sente che stavano percorrendo la strada giusta. I pezzi che mi piacciono di più sono Protection, Karmacoma e Eurochild. Concludendo, quest'album già lo conoscevo, loro secondo me già spaccavano, ma dovevano ancora sbocciare. Direi che è stato un piacevole ascolto. 3
Certainly not what I expected. I have a techno-jazz vibe with this one. Would be a great slightly buzzed drivetime track
A nice enough dance album with one amazing standout track (Protection). One point deducted for an appalling love track tacked on for no apparent reason.
Second Listen. Gave it a 3/5 on first listen. Love the sound and vibe of this album. Very mellow and cool. Still a strong 3/5.
This is a great album to chill out to, or to have on in the background whilst studying or working or doing something you need to focus on. Best: Protection Worst: Spying Glass 2.5 Stars
Me cuesta mucho trabajo calificar este disco. Me gusta mucho Massive Attack pero me cuesta mucho trabajo ponerle atención a este disco. Seguramente para su época fue un adelantado y todo está perfectamente balanceado. Tan todo perfecto que si lo ponen en un elevador no tengo broncas.
The Massive Attack albums I have owned are Blue Lines and Mezzanine. Personally, I prefer the exquisite bleakness of Mezzanine to Blue Lines too-cool-for-skool eclecticism, but both are rather fine albums. So, I was not unprepared for Protection. And, as someone who has enjoyed plenty of Massive Attack in the past, it's slightly disappointing. Don't misunderstand me, the music is of Massive Attack's high standard, but that's the problem. It feels safe, tentative. You hope for the band to evolve, for the album to take far more risks, but they seem to have been stymied by the success of Blue Lines, and as such we have a classic example of second album syndrome. I acknowledge that I sound overly negative, but that's because I know the group did better before and after. With this album, I wish they'd been more daring, and used less protection (thank you and goodnight!).
I like Massive Attack, but I like their later albums much better when they introduce a bit of an edge to the music (e.g., Mezzanine and 100th Window). Without that edge this is nice background music but has few moments that make me go "wow." Unfortunately, only this album and Blue Lines are included in the 1001 albums so it looks like we won't be getting any of the later albums. Oh, well. To each their own.
Nah. I remember when Massive Attack was all the rage and I didn't get it. Still don't. I don't need music to have sex to. Not interested in it so I can have a trippy experience or to hypnotize myself. What else is it good for? Decent beats but the music is better paired with female singers (too bad Tracey Thorn had her own stuff to keep her busy) than male ones (or the male ones chosen). Mezzanine was a better album. Next!
I don't know, there was nothing here that really stood out. With a name like \"Massive Attack,\" I was expecting something... harder. Something that was bigger, more MASSIVE. Instead it just seemed very... minor. There was a live track at the end of them covering \"Light My Fire,\" and it was very much how I felt about the album. It was... just unimpressive.
I'm not sure what this is really. Like electronic Amy Grant? I liked Spying Glass and Karmacoma. This album sort of reminded me of Portishead as well, which is a band I do like. I think this type of music is best suited for background music and even music to focus attention on tasks. It is mostly surface level to me, which is not a bad thing, but not something I can fully engage with.
I'd not listened to Massive Attack before this and I went in with absolutely no expectations. I quite enjoyed the album and would happily give it a 3.5 if I could.
Protection is a pretty good song w cool guitars and haunting vocals. I would have bet a lot of money that the second song wasn’t the same band. It’s also a fun song. The rest of the album continues its genre surfing. It’s one of those cases that genre surfing works.
Not an album of theirs I knew particularly but enjoyed. Will listen more. Might even have been a 4.
97. Protection - Massive Attack - 10 tracks. I love Massive Attack, (or thought I did), but with the exception of the 2 tracks with Tracey Thorn vocals, this was just completely uninspiring and didn't even sound like them. I had been really looking forward to this.😖 3/5 😮
Torn about this one. I quite like electronic music. I hate hip hop with a passion. So many of these tracks get a hard pass from me. Heat Miser is nice, though. 2.5/5, which I'll round up.
Ik ben groot fan van Unfinished Sympathy en dit album past in die stijl, maar mist toch net dat extra gevoel. Het is een relaxt album met leuke elektronische geluidjes, maar voelt een beetje langdradig waardoor het soms gaat vervelen. ***
Album escuchado en el trayecto Alicante-Madrid, a través de la meseta. Lo definiría como bastante agradable aunque sin llegar a tocar mis botones musicales. Curiosamente mis tracks favoritos son en los que no se rapea: Weather Sorm (directa a mi playlist de instrumentals), el track medio reggae Spying Glass y Better Things son mis highlights. Nada me ha volado la cabeza pero la forma de programar los drums y la "to study and relax to" energy que me dio me gustan. Diría que los versos (no he prestado mucha atención al contenido lirico, pero presiento que son un factor secundario) han sido sin más. Me gusta la vibe instrumental, curiosos drums, algunos temas. Pero lo que viene a ser la atmósfera musical del disco no me capturó del todo. Y Light My Fire como outro por los loleiros, un toque. La puntuación real seria algo asi como 3,25/5 para ser pedantemente especifico.
Hay tres o dos canciones que destacan sobre el resto en un disco que está lleno de música para ponerse de fondo al trabajar.
Ihan lepposa pläjäys. Meni vähän ohi kun joutu tekemään ajatustyötä vaativaa työtä samaan aikaan.
I really liked the first track and was disappointed when the rest wasn't all in that vein. It wasn't until near the end with Heat Miser that I became interested again. It's gonna be a 3 for me here. || The best tracks could be part of a killer soundtrack to a sci fi video game, the worst sound like diddles of electronic synth fiddling.
I crept onto this album a few times, mostly because it didn’t get my attention too much and it was over before I realized. Very relaxing
Задатки будущих шедевральных альбомов уже чувствуются. Не могу сказать, что этот альбом целиком рекомендую, но несколько сильных треков есть. Вообще, трип-хоп как жанр интересное явление и надеюсь, что все главные альбомы жанра будут в списке.
This was pretty interesting but nothing gripped me. It was a cool fusion of styles and well executed but I don’t feel like I ever need to hear this again
Not sure what to make of this record. I do like a lot of it, but what is it? Rap, reggae, jazz, hip hop, electronics? All of the above? I really liked Tracy Thorn’s vocals but she’s only on a couple of tracks. Most unusual version of a Doors song I’ve ever heard to close the record. While I like it, I think it’s music to play in the “quiet room” at a party, not the main event. Doesn’t make me want to see them live.
I want to like Massive Attack so much, and I totally dug the start of this album, but I ultimately got bored.
I expected to like this one a lot more than I did. Could have been my mood on that particular day or could be some missing magic in the album.
Не мой альбом. Красивый, спокойный, но не зацепил. Певица свои партии исполнила здорово :)
Massive Attack znam i bardzo lubię. Ba, uważam że Mezzanine jest jednym z moich ulubionych albumów i jest po prostu solidnie 10/10. Niestety, na tym krążku nie złapali jeszcze tego charakterystycznego brzmienia. Niektóre kawałki są mega klimatyczne i carry'ują album. Niektóre z kolei tak nudne, że aż męczące. Nie widać tu też takiego motywu przewodniego, jaki ich cechował w innej twórczości. Wiem, że stać ich na więcej. Dałbym 3.5, nie mogę, więc dam 3 - jeszcze jakieś ich albumy będą, to się zobaczy.
Super chillowe nuty, ale nic nadzwyczajnego. Każdy utwór próbował celować w trochę inny styl. Idealne do słuchania w tle. Light my fire na końcu totalnie z dupy.
2/5 couple of good songs in it, not their best stuff overall. Couple bits really drag the album down.
Started off enjoying the first few tracks, but it just seemed to get worse and worse. Not a Massive fan! 🤣🤣🤣
I do not like Better things. The lines in that song are terrible. "Say the sparks are gone. Well get an electrician." cheese
Nope. I can recognize the talent and the good songwriting, but long instrumental breaks and songs longer than 6 minutes aren’t for me. The really slow electronic sound doesn’t work for me either. I will say that the lyrics in Protection (title track) and Better Things stick out, but I only saved the latter because the song Protection is just. way. too. long.
July 22, 2021 I liked one or two tracks on here (Karmacoma) but wasn't really into the rest. OK background music but not sure I'd just listen to it for its own sake. I think I'd prefer a little more upbeat. I really, really dislike the last track. Why did they include that?
There’s nothing worse than hearing clear talent dish out something boring and dull. I remember hating this in the 90s and whilst I can appreciate it’s well put together it’s boring as hell. So much better was to come
Very dull, nothing stands out to me and then they stick a live version of a dreadful cover on the end
Liked the balance in going back and forth between the female and male singer. A bit ambient for my tastes - liked the Doors cover bonus track.
I read somewhere in the comments under one Talking Heads song that this is how MA would sound if they existed back then. Because of that I was looking forward to this album. Now I am looking forward to listening to the next one as soon as possible.
Decent 90s electronica/trip hop. Good downtempo beats and solid female vocals. Nice range of genres. Checked out and preferred both mezzanine and blue lines after.
Hearing we'd listen to an album by Massive Attack I was hoping to hear an album in the style of mezzanine -- only song I'm really familiar with is Teardrop (sorry for the stereotype). And with those expectations I was severely let down. It was a decent album, sure, but I was bored for a large portion of it.
This was an interesting one - an album that I bought as a teen and absolutely hated! Adult me has slightly more time for it, but I still think the title track is whiny as hell, and a lot of the songs are barely better than background music. It gets slightly better from there, with a few good beats and nice raps (highlights for me are karmacoma and heat miser), but due to my entirely arbitrary rating system and the fact I think I'd feel disappointed if you gave me this as a gift, it gets a 2.
In not a 'Massive' fan of them on the whole and I think this album is really boring. The albums before and after it were miles better in my opinion
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Protection, Sly Cutting Edge: Euro Child Overall Notes: "Naw this shis reeul mewshick!!!"- the British people who heard Massive Attack put laid back hip-hop beats underneath soul/R&B tracks. British mfs will not survive the rapture. (this is a bit. the music isn't actually bad but it's kinda boring and I don't see what the hype is about. it reminded me of fever ray but less sonically unique. yes I understand they came 15 years earlier and were probably one of the first to do this kind of music. doesn't make it nothing but mildly interesting background music.)
It's cool, it's fine, idk man I just didn't really get it all that much. No two songs sound the same but that's not necessarily a good thing just like how every song on an album sounding alike isn't necessarily a bad thing, eh. It's a good album, 2.5/5
Kolejny wyspiarski albumik wjechal, tym razem massive attack z ich drugim studyjnym krazkiem protection, ktory kontynulujac tradycje z blue linesow blenduje style i gatunki zeby wypluc z nich czilujace downtempowe traczki, ktore najlatwiej zaklasyfikowac jako trip-hop, wiec kolejny dzien z elektronika, ale tym razem 49 minut odsluchu to czilera, dziesiec kawalkow, a mozna naliczyc z 6 roznych wokali, to wlasnie co najbardziej mi przeszkadzalo podczas odsluchu, bo o ile beaty sa ciekawe, to wokalnie loteria, lirycznie szczepy ktore ciezko nawet oceniac, ciezko sie polapac w tym kolektywie massivo attackowym, ale o wiele bardziej bym wolal plyte jako czysty instrumental, jak na trakach heat miser i weather storm, ktore leca na plejke, bo szlagiery plyty, czyli otwierajacy protection czy karmacoma ze swoimi wokalami, to dla mnie bardziej missy niz hity, no ale i tak zdecydowanie lepiej sie tego sluchalo niz wczorajszego picka lub podobnego gatunkowo muzyka wyspiarskiego, ktory juz przewinal sie przez liste z podobnym materialem, choc o wiele bardziej bardziej popowym
7th February 2022 Listened throughout the day, went to see scream 5 in the evening at streatham odeon with noisy girls behind us. I can appreciate massive attack but not sure I’d listen again and again. 2.5 if I could.
Muddy beats, smooth vocals, easy listening for the mid 90s. Best Tracks: Protection, Karmacoma; Heat Miser
This isn’t that good. Again! - Why is this on the list? I want to punish the person who thought we needed another Massive Atrack album - at least the last album had one good song - this is mediocre throughout. 😕
I found this album to be mid. It was vibey but never really took off for me. Parts of sounded like cinema score and I mean that in a bad way. Parts were sonically interesting but it never coalesced for me in the way that every great album does. The light my fire cover was the best track, if the album had more like that I would have liked it.
Je comprends qu’il annonce la mise en place d’un nouveau courant, mais c’est loin d’être le meilleur.
Because of my last experience with Massive Attack, I was expecting a 1-star album with annoying electronic music that just takes too long to be enjoyable. I'm happily surprised that this was not exactly the case. It's still far from my preference for music, but I didn't hate these 45 minutes as I expected before. I believe that the hip-hop and reggae influence in some songs helped a lot to be an almost enjoyable album.
Massive attack on my eardrums This is the worst album Boring or boring and shite Repetitive
It was okay, but not my type. None of this project was that memorable to me. I think Heat Miser was my favorite song, but I don't really understand this kind of music. 3/8.
The "Light My Fire" live version was pretty dope at the end but the rest is just not for me. Unless it's Dilla or someone along those lines the instrumental/trip-hop thing is not for me.
Reggae, synth, hip-hop. Didn’t mind Protection but didn’t like any others, especially not Karmacoma, Eurochild or Heat Miser.
I remember Massive Attack being cool, but it's sounding pretty boring to me now. Don't really have anything else to say about it.
Oof, this album was not for me. The constant beat drove me crazy, and the breathing on the Heat Miser track was so unbearable I actually cried out "Make it stop!" even though I know I could have made it stop- I didn't want to because I haven't not completed an album on this list so far and didn't want to start.
I got 2 mins into the first song and already wanted to go back to bed. Not something i'd listen to.
Didn't finish, none of the tracks felt like they ever got going within the first minute or so
I couldn't finish this. I was totally bored. Not sure why I didn't like this one verse the last Massive album.
Ikkje nåke for meg. Plaga meg at alle vokalistane hørtes ut som Dido og ho fra Goldfrapp, uten å vær da. Like at siste sangen e et frampeik på bedre album me har i vente