Thu Apr 07 2022
2
This sounded not at all Massive, nor Attacking. Not for me.
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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Protection
Massive Attack
1994
- Album Summary
Protection is the second studio album by English electronic music group Massive Attack, released on 26 September 1994 by Wild Bunch Records and Circa. DJ Mad Professor remixed the album in 1995 under the name No Protection.
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Thu Dec 03 2020
4
Baby making music.
Thu Jun 10 2021
4
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.
Mon Feb 08 2021
4
Sounds like music that I would listen to while too high to do anything besides stare forward and think about my life
Thu Mar 18 2021
4
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-
Tue Jul 13 2021
5
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
Thu Mar 17 2022
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
Thu Mar 18 2021
1
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.
Mon Dec 06 2021
1
Was listening to this while working in the hot sun and wanted to fall asleep.
Tue Jul 13 2021
5
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
Thu May 13 2021
4
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
Tue Oct 05 2021
4
It's kind of groovy, meditative, and a bit trance-like.
Sun Dec 12 2021
4
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.
Mon Aug 23 2021
3
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.
Thu Sep 16 2021
3
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
Sat Jul 10 2021
2
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.
Tue Mar 15 2022
2
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. 😕
Thu Mar 18 2021
1
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-
Tue Nov 09 2021
1
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
Mon Dec 06 2021
1
I got 2 mins into the first song and already wanted to go back to bed. Not something i'd listen to.
Fri Jan 22 2021
5
Excellent.
Fri Jan 29 2021
5
Amazing chill album
Fri Jan 29 2021
5
Loved it, not heard this album before but really like Massive Attack., so wasn’t surprised.
Mon May 10 2021
5
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.
Fri May 14 2021
5
Didn't know this Massive Attack album yet. Good.
Fri Jun 18 2021
5
Great instrumentals
Tue Aug 10 2021
5
A favourite, era defining for me.
Mon Oct 25 2021
5
Fabulous chilled album that makes me wish I'd been old enough to go to Ibiza when it came out.
Wed Nov 10 2021
5
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.
Sat Nov 13 2021
5
Heat Miser is fantastic. Loved every second of it. The album was overall good.
Tue Nov 16 2021
5
Great, did not know what to expect but was great.
Thu Dec 16 2021
5
perfect combination of samples and a great voice. drop the light my fire cover, but otherwise perfect
Mon Feb 28 2022
5
Massive attack is always very cool
Mon Feb 28 2022
5
Amazing album
Mon Feb 28 2022
5
Fucking classic
Thu Mar 03 2022
5
amazing
Sat Mar 12 2022
5
Massive Protect
Wed Mar 30 2022
5
funky, trippy, and above all cool. a very good consistent album with a great sound and vibe
Tue Apr 05 2022
5
Genre creating masterpiece.
Fri Apr 08 2022
5
Classic lo fi moody grooves with some stellar tracks and vocals (Tracey Thorn in particular) Still wonderful after almost 30 years.
Wed Apr 27 2022
5
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.
Fri May 06 2022
5
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.
Sat May 21 2022
5
Perfect album. Defies definition.
Sat Jun 18 2022
5
Songs I knew but didn't know were MA. So glad I was introduced to this.
Tue Jun 21 2022
5
Very good listen in car drive home
Tue Jun 28 2022
5
Protection e Better Things tem belos vocais. Banda bem interessante.
Sat Aug 20 2022
5
Their best album, with the brillant Tricky still on board and with Travey Thorn. Maximquaye and Dummy in same year. Bliss.
Sat Aug 20 2022
5
6/10, 60%
Sat Aug 20 2022
5
I really like Massive Attack. This album is not on Mezzanine's level but it's close.
Mon Aug 29 2022
5
Yes, yes, yes. Fantastic album by Incredible band, not listened to this in a very long time and reminded how great it was
Mon Aug 29 2022
5
so good, brings back many vague memories of when it came out! Both Tricky and Tracey Thorn are incredible here, such a great set of tunes throughout. I think it's their best by far
Fri Sep 02 2022
5
Absolutely love this one.
Fri Sep 02 2022
5
Quality sounds from the Bristol boys, doesn't quite have the rawness of blue lines or the menace of mezzanine. Still songs like karmacoma and spy glass make it a triumph
Mon Sep 05 2022
5
Delicia
Tue Oct 04 2022
5
I loved it then. I love it now. That is all.
Mon Oct 24 2022
5
I don't know how to put it, but in simple terms: Massive Attack gets it. Even Protection, one of their lesser known albums (at least compared to other parts in discography) is full of that specific, slightly melancholic atmosphere. Every song takes you to a different place, like by pressing play, you are teleported to a land of chill and rhythm. The melodies and beats are always fascinating to get lost in it, and every track could have easily be 5 minutes longer with the main beat going over and over again. The selftitled, opening song is the greatest example. Its already almost 8 minutes long, but it's never boring, it just drills its attention deeper and deeper into your mind. It's just a great album and my only wish is that their other record will be on this list as well.
Tue Oct 25 2022
5
I loved every single music. Went to my favourites!
Sun Oct 30 2022
5
Masterfully crafted beats, songs emote feeling that gives you a sense of relaxing contemplation, must listen
Fri Nov 18 2022
5
I LOVED this album from the moment it began all the way to the end.
Sun Nov 20 2022
5
This album is Massive Attack at their finest, it does not suffer from second album syndrome.
Mon Jan 02 2023
5
This was my gateway album into Massive Attack. At the time it was especially the two tracks featuring Tracey Thorn that I kept playing. Although it may not be my favourite from them anymore, this is still a great album.
Mon Jan 02 2023
5
The ultimate triphop album? It is excellent throughout in every aspect, with nice samples, except for the Light My Fire cover at the end (ending with Heat Miser would have been perfect).
Mon Jan 09 2023
5
Love this bandd
Fri Jan 20 2023
5
Absolutely stunning album.
Mon Jan 23 2023
5
Brings back fond memories of early version chill out music, this is such a good album. The only negative is the inclusion of the live version of Light My Fire, kinda spoils the end of an awesome album.
Mon Jan 23 2023
5
Great album. To nit pic the final track a live cover of Light my Fire should of been left off.
Thu Feb 02 2023
5
Un clásico
Fri Feb 03 2023
5
Massive Attack. The music of my High School years.
Fri Feb 03 2023
5
Heat Miser is fantastic and Euro Child seems like it could have some inspiration for Gorillaz
Fri Feb 10 2023
5
In my head this was always considered a "lesser" Massive Attack album at the time (possibly misremembering...), but it's an exceptional album really. The Tracey Thorn features are the best for me, but it's all good. 5*
Wed Feb 15 2023
5
I just love this triphop stuff.
Sat Mar 04 2023
5
The birth of lo-fi?
Mon Mar 06 2023
5
Samo prve dvi vride ocjene
Tue Mar 14 2023
5
Best of their albums? Maybe. Hard to beat Safe from Harm. But maybe. Tracy Thorn - great.
Sat Mar 18 2023
5
Wow, I friggin love this. I'm familiar with massive attack by way of mezzanine and blue lines, and it's been at least 5 years since those were in my rotation, and I don't remember liking them as much as I like this right now. Every song is a fucking jam and beautifully recorded.
Wed Apr 12 2023
5
Smooth
Fri Apr 14 2023
5
What an opening. The warm hug of Protection, followed by the cold chill of Karmacoma. It carries on strong too. Weather Storm is one of the best instrumentals ever, a kind of gorgeous dub piano jazz. The back half struggles to live up to this start, but is still very good, especially if you like dub or have had a toke. It's brilliant, ultimately.
Thu May 04 2023
5
I really like "Protection"! It has really, really good vibes. "Karmacoma" is also really neat, "Weather Storm" has immense vaporwave vibes, and "Three" is actually genuinely so good! I didn't know much about Massive Attack, but this is a great and really diverse album.
Sun Jun 11 2023
5
Really enjoyed this one
Mon Sep 11 2023
5
Loved the album, but the last track really sucks you out of the experience. Still, would listen to again.
Wed Sep 13 2023
5
Kaikki genret tähditetään asteikko 1-5 tähteö tåmä on objektija... suus.. Trip hop kuitenkin tähditetään hiphopn skaalassa ajoten ei haittaa trip hop ei ikinä tule saamana 1 tai 2 tähteä heh (nimittäin shitty ass-nontriphop pophop albumit keräävät alhaiswt tähdet.. Noni ja aloitetaan albumi kuuntelu tietäen 3-5 skaala heh Vittu tätä ku kuuntelee tiskatessa herkkä hetki... Hifistelly aina kaikessa ja albumi hifistelyssä nyt sanotaan vaan sen verran ettö vtiuttaa jos popitusta mianstream yleisölle mukaidetuaan.. aluks tässä tuntu olevan.. mutta tiedä sitten.. Ollut niin hyvää musiikkia haluis sanoa tälläsestä että tämmönen on hyvä albumi nöin tehdään hyvä albumi tässä ladies and gentleman hyvää paskaa.. Ja sen teen.. kuunnelkaa jos haluatte vuoden 1994 parasta mianstream hip triphop paska.a.. olka ahyvä pöytä on katettu.. 49 min 10 kappelatta... 5 tähteä ti 12. syyskuuta.. kitään ja kuittaan ensipäivään..
Thu Sep 14 2023
5
A lovely record through and through - maybe it’s easy to mock Trip Hop but I can’t deny I love the big records that came out of the genre - and this is definitely THE trip hop album. I grew up with Mezzanine and I always kind of dismissed this one but it’s gorgeous - moody, groovy, sexy and theatrical.
Fri Sep 15 2023
5
Trip-Hop/Hip-Hop at its finest. This album is a smooth listen from start to end.
Mon Jun 14 2021
4
Blue Lines, Protection, Mezzanine. One of the greatest run of albums ever!
Thu May 06 2021
4
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.
Thu Sep 17 2020
4
classic, slow rock
Mon Nov 09 2020
4
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"
Thu Jun 24 2021
4
Very, very, very good.
Thu Feb 18 2021
4
Bit of a late night record. Not as good as Mezzanine but pretty close.
Fri Jan 22 2021
4
Great album
Tue Feb 09 2021
4
Enjoyed this, good ambient music for working; good beats/vocals/instrumental juxtaposition. Enjoyed Weather Storm, Sly, Euro Child... Not House music tho.
Mon Apr 12 2021
4
Knew more songs than I thought, great background album
Mon May 24 2021
4
Trip hop
Tue Apr 06 2021
4
LOVE
Sat Jul 03 2021
4
Great album! So much variety. Each track sounds like a different band.
Fri Feb 05 2021
4
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.
Fri Jul 16 2021
4
Not my vote for best Massive Attack album, but an excellent album nevertheless.
Tue Apr 27 2021
4
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
Wed Mar 31 2021
4
decent
Wed Jun 30 2021
4
Pretty solid album. Has different sounds with each song. I really enjoyed the song Karmacoma. Very relaxing and funky sounds which I enjoyed.