Reviews (page 6 of 9)
Really didn’t like
Disjointed
Trance Music at a premium here…meditative and full of energy at once.
Solid chill dj ish album
Trip-hop isn't really my go to so I can't say I was particularly moved by Protection, but I can respect it for its quality (except for their god awful version of Light My Fire). It's in the middle of the 2's somewhere so let's be kind and round it up to 3.
Never heard of them. When I hear Tracey Thorn (EBTG is a favorite) on the first song, I was intrigued. This is an interesting mix of styles and it works well.
This album has great grooves and really sets a mood. I couldn’t help but wishing every song were an instrumental. The vocals are the least inspired part of this album, and not just the playful light my fire outro.
Didn't finish this one, not a classic from Massive Attack, very disappointing.
loved it.
I was not familiar with Massive Attack before they popped up preciously and now I have enjoyed both albums.
Surprisingly good music to work to. Some of the vocals weren't my favorites. I did like the Doors cover as the final track.
Moody, sexy background music
Triphop has been a surprisingly pleasant listen for me at times. Describing it as “hit or miss” might be accurate, as I’ve generally loved or hated what I’ve heard. However, today’s album seems to land closer to the middle for me, leaving me with a feeling of indifference. Nothing really leaped out as great here, but likewise there was nothing awful either. I wanted to like this a lot more than I did, if I’m being honest. Perhaps I just wasn’t in the mood for this genre today.
It's fine. Clean production, very competent performances, a distinctive voice, though with a slightly off-puttingly juvenile quality, the flash of an edge here and there. Nothing remarkable, but totally listenable.
Massive Attack shows up for round 2 and brings Tracy Thorn with them for this one. That's like playing with Game Genie, it just ain't fair how good this is
Didn't do much for me. It's a fine record, but I'm not sure why this is on the list. In spots, I think the list is more like 1,001 hours you'll never get back. Altogether, that's nearly 42 days.
Too slow for my taste.
Vibe-y grooves that occasionally transcend the chill to be very enjoyable. I liked it but probably would only listen to a track or two at a time in the future.
4/5. Massive Attack hits again for another album of experimental but more accessible electronic beats. Each song is enjoyable on its own, most of them including vocals, which act more as the primary instrument than for the lyrics. Not many notes, just not a perfect album, some songs not as enjoyable as others but good either way. Kinda wasn't feeling the Doors cover. Best Song: Sly, Protection, Three
90s electronic isn't usually my most favoritist thing but Massive Attack is in that vein of trip-hop electronic that I can get into.
Good ambient music, I think I like trip-hop?
Okay. Kind of forgettable.
This was bland. The beats were there but it’s like they just didn’t want to add a little bit more flavor to shake the walls of whatever establishment you are listening to it in. I’ve moved on
I would like it a lot more if it was just an instrumental beats album or it was paired with something more engaging.
I find this great but somehow it drifts into the background at the same time
Some great songs, some far too long thought bubbles.
I have already documented in a previous posting for Massive Attack that I was massively betrayed when the track "Heat Miser" had nothing to do with a 1974 Christmas TV special. "Previous posting for Massive Attack"? I wondered. Surely there are lots of artists that I haven't heard from in over 1000 albums so far, and do we need another from this group? No. No is the correct answer. It's true. That said, I think I liked this more than the last Massive Attack album and so here we go.
I found most of the album fairly enjoyable. The last two tracks were an absolute no-go for me though…so much so that it lost a star at that moment.
I've been sick with a cold for a couple days and have started this several times only to fall asleep during the third track. It's a nice loopy soundtrack for a fever dream. I finally made it through awake and it's good for that, too
Well, I like Massive Attack I guess. I wasn’t excited about this but it was quite nice to listen to and defied my increasingly jaded initial reactions. Especially that Rankin & Bass favorite “Heat Miser.” Also an interesting take on “Light My Fire.”
different
First track is really really good. Album closer super strange, probably should have picked Mezzanine.
Gran producción y la colaboración especial en la voz de Tracey Horn. Muy interesante.
I used to always just be right on the edge of grasping the appeal of Massive Attack, and in some ways I still am. But I think it helped that I listened to this at 5:30 am while I buttered the forklift around the warehouse at the beginning of a quiet work day. Massive Attack isn’t meant to be grasped super hard, and this album helped me realize that. Great background music, great weed smoking music
Album 437 of 1001 Massive Attack - Protection Rating : 1 / 5 Electronica crap that doesn't appeal to me. They attempted some partial melodies but just doesn't cut it, for me.
Love them but this isn’t quite up there with their best for me. Gets a bit samey. Still better than most though
Haven't listened to this album by Massive Attack before. I mostly enjoyed it but I definitely prefer the vibe of their next album, Mezzanine. I just wanted this to go a bit harder.
Boooring
Dated, but musically interesting enough to sit through. British rap is tough.
Qué recuerdos!!! Un recuerdo random de ellos es que la BBC los "baneó" por tener ese nombre durante la Primera Guerra de Golfo. Empieza bien pero no brilla. Protection, Karmacoma y el cierre con Light my fire es lo mejor en mi opinión.
Meh
Nothing special here at all.
Not my favourite.
Boring
better than the other one
I can't give this a rating based on any science, historical, or cultural significance or any logical reasoning. Why? Because for whatever reason, I have a pure love for Massive Attack, the genre, the groove, the vibe... This is not their best album (in a way) but it still falls under that "Oh, you didn't really like this? Welp... That's too bad because to me it is awesome and needs no defending." Most of the time when listening to an album of the day there is a distinct change between "my" playlist and whatever it was I was listening to and I have two common reactions: "Oh, it is over already" or "thank goodness that is finally done." This album is among the few where I didn't even notice when it ended and my playlist began.
Protection is echt een prachtig nummer, super trippy, super moody en gewoon een en al schoonheid. Als het album zo aftrapt dan heb ik op zn zachts gezegd ontzettend hoge verwachtingen! Mijn god, het is echt een ontzettend trippy heavy album. Niet heel gezellig, maar ook echt niet vervelend! Veel nummers die echt nice zijn, maar ook een hoop wat maar een beetje voortkabbelt en zelfs lichtelijk saai is. Jammer, maar he, niets aan te doen! Het album is wel echt prima te doen, maar het ontstijgt prima helaas niet. Wat overblijft is vooral het titelnummer en Spying Glass, die zijn geweldig! Ik ben wel steeds meer ervan overtuigd dat voor ene goed triphop nummer je een vrouwenstem nodig hebt, dat scheelt echt zoooooveel! FAVO: Protection, Three, Spying glass, Sly, Heat Miser
This is one of those albums that has stood the test of time pretty well. But if you could have heard it back in the ‘90s, it was so ahead of its time. It’s a really nice laid-back album, but the soundscape is what really sets it apart and makes it unlike anything else that was around in the early ’90s.
Eh, mediocre. Nice instrumental bits though, like upbeat 'hip' elevator music. Nothing special.
Mundane. Really not exciting at all. Not a bad album, but nothing I need to listen to before I die. 3 stars rounded up from 2.5
Iconic album.
I liked this much more than I expected. Good instrumentals.
Really great focus music.
Some fun melodies but overall not very relistenable
This is tight. Hits harder than more ignorant UK electronics such as the beta band. Or maybe I just prefer trip hop to house. But, real songs, with real beats. Nice weird light my fire cover. I drink on a daily basis though it seldom cools my temper. It never cools my temper.
This album doesn’t do it for me, although based on the overall sound I would be open to trying another one at some point
Good blunted beats
Pretty good, though all over the map in tone. Kinda loungey, multiple singers, an unexpected reggae song.
Not a fan
A real struggle to finish. Painfully boring and hard work to get through. Proud of myself for my dedication to this project and finishing the album. Genuine sigh of relief when it ended. 1.0
I've been a big fan of this album for a long time and it's an instant 5 stars from me. Listening through was an extreme pleasue both times and I can't pick a favourite, they're all my favourite.
That's an instant 5 from me - loved this album for quite a while now. But if you'll indulge me for a second while I disparage Robert Dimery one more time - why. the. hell. is. "Mezzanine". missing. from. the. list??? I'm not saying that either "Blue Lines" or "Protection" should be dropped to make room for it - it should be on here _as well_ as them. The Beatles and the Stones have a half dozen entries each, including some of their earliest stuff where they're basically just covers bands! smdh. 😠 Anyway, this album is glorious - every track envelopes you like a dense cloud of smoke. Really carves out a mood. I can even get behind the "Light My Fire" cover. Fave tracks - "Protection" and "Eurochild" on this play through, but I love em all!
Another great Massive Attack album.
I can’t remember anything about this album
i don’t know i just could not could i write poetry to thjs? n
Odd that "Blue Lines" and this album are included, but not the obvious Massive Attack must listen, "Mezzanine." Still a great album. Let's all give a big round of applause and a half-star for Ms. Tracey Thorn, ladies and gentlemen.
Massive Attack with female vocalists is the best Massive Attack.
cool
This is my first time listening to Massive Attack. I have heard of them before and was vaguely aware that they were more along the lines of electronica. Idk if it just hit me while I was in a good mood but I really enjoyed this. Heavy heavy trip hop vibes. What put it over the top for me was the dub and reggae influences. The Light My Fire cover featuring the great Horace Andy at the end was so cool. Looking forward to listening to more of their stuff (I think there’s at least 2 more of their albums on this list).
Some of these songs are ok. A bit like wallpaper - you don't notice anything's there after a while..but some are actively cringe and it was a struggle not to skip. Maybe you had to be there. Best track: Spying Glass
Elevator music
Very chill. Enjoyed it.
It was okk
Perfection
Mixed - some tracks I loved, some I wasn't so keen. Tracey Thorn's vocals outstanding as always.
How about no. 2.1 per track.
Meh, this wasn't really for me. It's a bit of a genre-bender, Wikipedia says trip hop, and I'm hearing an electronic / hip-hop / R&B thing, with some instrumental-only songs. I actually liked the first song a decent amount, but very little stood out to me after that. A little uninteresting to me, and I'm not really sure what this music is for exactly. I guess the artist Tricky is involved in Massive Attack, and I wasn't super into his solo album that I got on here either, so this is probably just not my thing. Favorite song: Protection Other: Karmacomam, Sly 4/29/24
Meh
Played this one over & over again when it came out, and I've kept returning to it over the years. The exquisite 7:51 opening title track with Tracey Thorn could be twice could be twice as long, and still not enough for me. A neat touch is how the first and last five tracks (or vinyl sides) mirror each other in terms of collaborators and thus musically. So good that I listened to it twice today.
This is very close to the kind of electronic music that I like, but not quite there. Some moment are hit, while some are miss from my point. Very solid album anyway.
This is the second album by Massive Attack on this list. Neither is warranted. The lyrics are bad. Different singers on the songs, most of whom cannot sing. The electronic beats are ok. There is not a consistent style to the songs. Each song needed to be edited down. The cover of Light my Fire was not good.
I liked it. But it's no where near amazing.
I liked weather storm but then some of the other pieces were a bit too much in Cirque du soleil style. Good for back ground music but in small doses.
A very pleasant surprise! Massive Attack is kind of a misleading name, I thought it was going to be metal or something way more hard driving, but it was pretty mellow and enjoyable. I also listened to Mezzanine which is even better.
I like Massive Attack but this is lacking in hooks for me. It feels like an album that in 2024 you could make in Splice with random samples. It lacks some structure for me. Maybe that’s it’s genius. They did it without Splice. But it feels a bit monotonous for me.
Started off so hot and then sort of fizzled, but this was a really amazing listen. It’s been forever since I sat with an MA album. Great grading music!
I can’t find anything good to say about this at all. Amateurish.
Not bad. I typically don't like EDM much but these actually feel like songs rather than bleeps and bloops or just a collection of beats. That makes a huge difference. I don't love it, but I don't mind hearing it.
Good album, love the vibes. Favourite songs: Protection and Better Things
Just not interesting. The songs lack a lot and the one with the breathing was just bad. 2/5 Won’t listen again
excellent mid-90s soul/acid jazz. Would be four stars but for the shitty and pointless Doors cover.
Not as good as the other Massive Attack albums
Nice samples and music.
Very good mellow ambient music. Good to work by.
Almost flawless tbf.
Another day, another electronica album. The one positive for me on this is that there is a vocalist over all of the songs, which seems to help with my usual strong dislike of the genre.
Strange album, couldn’t figure out the cohesion.. ok but not great, 2.5/5
Good shit.
Alveg ótrúlega svöl plata, ein af mínum uppáhalds. Fyrstu tvö lögin algjörir bangerar og restin frábær. Ekki einn veikur hlekkur.
Club, soul and so much more.
Protection von Massive Attack ist ein für mich überraschend ruhiges Album mit fast schon meditativen Titel. Die Sprechgesänge erinnern an Thomas D. von den fantastischen Vier. Vielleicht ist es ja umgekehrt, dass die wahre Inspiration von Massive Attack kommt. Karmacoma, sly, Heat Miser, sind fantastisch.
By far the best use of throat singing in a nineties electronic album
Some chill beats on here. Pretty much every song was ruined by the vocals.
I'm 400 plus albums into the list and this was an absolute bolt out of the blue for me. Never heard of it before and now it's on my list for the next time I go to the record store. Believe in the process, folks, believe.
Te atrapa.
One of the more upvoted reviews explained my feelings about this album better than I could: "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." That being said, "Protection" (the album) comes with some flaws. The final track, a cover of the Doors' legendary "Light My Fire", is so far inferior to the original song that it's almost painful to listen to. None of the iconic chord changes (like, e.g., the sudden III chord in the middle of the chorus) are present, and instead a weirdly grating electronic psychedelia insists itself upon the listener. The title track, however, is great - along with some other key tracks, listed below. The sound and production across all the songs are fairly strong, but nothing mind-blowing. The tracks that have an actual melody are (both genuinely, and as a rule of thumb) better than those without. An enjoyable listen that sits somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, but drops down to 3 on behalf of its incongruous closer. Key tracks: Protection, Weather Storm, Sly, Heat Miser
I liked the vibe of this. I think I need to give it another listen to fully appreciate it.
Wow! What a nice surprise. I really enjoyed this.
This album is something I’d play in the background of my high end party in my penthouse. Good sounding but nothing to make me need to listen again.
Don't really know how to think about this one. Not the biggest fan though - the drum machine comes across strongly and its a little hard to look past. Also nothing was too exciting.
My first taste of Massive Attack. Feels like they inspired so many of the trends in lo-fi hip hop that persist today. Some really tasty instrumentals here. Great features, especially Tracey Thorne’s. Love the John Carpenter “Halloween Theme” nods on “Heatmiser.” Favorite tracks: “Protection,” “Weather Storm,” “Heatmiser.” Excited to hear more from MA. Don’t particulary need the Doors cover at the end 😂 but I appreciate the effort!
This surprised me and intrigued me in a way that no other 90's trip hop / electronic album ever has. I was confused and turned around by the massive transition from track 1 to track 2, the very strange 90's dub record. Honestly they should win an award for the weirdness of the "Light My Fire" cover at the very end. Super expansive, cinematic, weeeeeird! It's one that I'll need more time with, but at 350 albums into 1001, "surprise" usually means good. 4/5
Added on my music Lounge folder. To re-listen again. 4/5
Nice enough chill album, but not in the same league as massive attacks other albums, so doesn’t need to be on the list.
Good vibes.
1.5
The least interesting of their first 3 albums.
A snoozefest album, why is this here, pretty unremarkable. Hard to pin down the genre as I went along. I will say, it did get more interesting by tracks 2-3. 2* because I don't hate it. Ok, I take it back, 3*. It got better as it went along. Refreshing sound. Highlights: euro child, heat miser (+piano, -breathing)
The 90s really wasn’t a good time for music was it
Boring. Shitty. It’s like daytime crime-drama background music.
really neat, I will definitely listen again
The songs I like I really like, but a few of the slower songs on this drag it down.
Overall this album features really alluring sound effects that add to the vocals and instruments. Protection: A nice chill track, doesn't feel dragged out and has some really good sounding background effects, vocals, and instrumental track. Great send-off to the track with light rain sfx. Overall a really good start to the album. 5/5 Karmacoma: Really great beat throughout the song, once the chorus starts there's specific whistle/airy/eerie sounds that give atmosphere to the track. 4/5 Three: Nice beat with soft vocals. 4/5 Weather Storm: Includes a chill atmosphere with a very pleasant piano track and a soft beat. 5/5 Spying Glass: I wasn't totally paying attention at the time but I remember it sounding like a 5/5 Better Things: 4/5 Euro Child: Slightly repetitive imo but a good track to listen to. 3/5 Sly: Great soft vocal track with strings appearing from the background occasionally, which enhances the overall atmosphere of the song. Strong beat throughout the song. 5/5 Heat Miser: Amazing repeating piano melody that catches the listener from 0:00-0:40. Breathing sounds and strings instruments dominate the first half of the song. The piano, strings, and bass take priority here, with a hint of synth around 2:07. Definitely my favorite instrumental on album, 5/5. Light my Fire: My least favorite on the album, still a 3/5.
Beautiful. No Notes
For a band called Massive Attack, I didn't expect such a snooze-fest. This was really really bad. I was almost longing for Everything but the Girl - it was that terrible... almost. I just can't get over how bad this was.
This is everything I don't like about Brit 90s music
HATE the Beatles
Worse than the first album I listened to, felt less interesting and more 'plain', still not too bad. 2.5.
I'm always down for trip hop and Massive Attack are pioneers. Given the choice though I'd rather listen to Mezzanine.
Massive Attack - was good to hear this again. Such good music, it's great to work to. I really liked Mezzanine, which was when I first heard them, but this is good. And I had the pleasure of seeing them, with my daughter, in Houston. Great experience!
Big let down from their first album. I found most of these songs repetitive and tedious. There are a few bright spots like Eurochild, but moving away from the hip hop aspect of their sound hurt this project IMO.
i should look up more about them but i got distracted. its fine. kinda keeps the beat relatively steady but i was also helping a friend while listening so. i just dont care to relisten rn. i did like the first song and sometimes the basslines like still fun. did not like heat miser lol uhh idk shit about soundsystems or operation ore or anti war crackdowns in the uk so. w/o that context its liiiike a 3.5 for me
beautiful.
that last song is terrible
Ya know i don’t like this genre. It’s too plain and it’s pure adventure music. I mean that I would never opt to listen to this music on my own accord
I have known this band for the House theme and was slightly disappointed that Teardrop wasn't on this album. Altogether though, this feels like a precursor to The XX. Moody and a good sound, I like the different singers throughout it.
Classic trip hop. Can’t say that I like it as much as their debut but still a great revisit
Not my go to Massive Attack album, but it’s warm and embracing. A lovely listen.
Decent background listening. Light My Fire really doesn't belong on the album.
I've tried to listen to Massive Attack a few times in the past and could never get into them. Never tried this album so I'll give it a go. I do not like this, I don't hate it either, just not really for me.
i enjoyed protection much more than massive attack's debut album! while i try to judge every album by itself, i couldn't help but notice that massive attack developed a more mature sound. every song was different, yet there was this atmospheric feeling that connected all of them. i think the electronic aspect was what tied them together. but still, they dabbled in several different genres, which normally make an album sound disjointed, but the songs were cohesive. one of the vocalists' voice grated on me, though i'll chalk that up to personal preference. despite that, i'd give a 3.5, rounded up to a 4 for the immaculate vibes.
This was very smooth and easy to listen to. It still has a "cool" factor to it, but I can only imagine how cool this would have seemed in the 90s when it was released. This album does a great job of being ambient and chill, while also staying engaging; it doesn't fade into background music like ambient music can sometimes do. I would also say the genre listed on Wikipedia ("trip hop") is incredibly misleading; Massive Attack dabbles and spans across many genres here. No two songs sound the same. All this said, I'm still unsure if this album needs to be on this project. In any case, this album is probably a high 2 for me, so rounding up to 3.
I think it's a good album. Just it's not my kind of music. Too trippy. It deserves the place on the list though.
Not an album for me, not very interesting Top tracks: Euro Child
Nicht meins
Klassiker! Ich liebe diese Tracks, fliessend, mit tollen Beats und souligem, warmen Gesang. Etwas von Feinsten aus Englands Musikküche, egal welches Album. Und das Konzert auf dem Gurten!!
Cooler Lounge Sound, relaxed und guter Beat. Karmakona sticht heraus aber der Rest fällt nicht ab. Gefällt!
J'avais tout sauf envie de me faire trip-hoper les oreilles dès le matin mais parfois on n'a pas d'autre choix.
C'etait mega naze comme l'intégralité de l'oeuvre de ce groupe en bois.
They just took pop and R&B styles that had existed before and added more repeating loops, along with slowing the music down. Might make a good falling asleep to album.
It’s good but it didn’t blow me away
Cool stuff and really unique, but I don't think I'd come back to the album too much. Favorites were Protection and Weather Storm. Those were the ones I felt had the best uses of the medium and genre.
The song Heat Miser reminded me of the Black Ops 2 zombies music. Album was interesting. I’ve heard of Massive Attack but had never heard anything before. The version of light my fire should not have been included. Favorite songs were Protection and Better Things.
Meh 2.2
2.4
I really enjoyed this album. Very diverse from cool jazz to more funk-ish to other styles as well. Many tracks are on my liked song list on Spotify now!
This was inoffensive.
Ugh, two from Massive Attack. I hate that this is taking a spot from something amazing like Daft Punk's Discovery. 2/5 just because it was better than the first one I got.
I really enjoyed this. It would have been too low key for me when I was younger but it's just my speed now.
Very mellow like Annie Lennox almost
I don't know this album as well as Blue Lines, though I did buy it at the time. It's a really fantastic piece of work. For a moment in time trip hope was a sound that was new, vibrant and great to listen to. Often much more interesting than the rap genres it derives from, it is a sound of Britain, and indeed Bristol where I studied at the time it was all happening. So glad to have rediscovered this masterpiece. (OK we will forget the last track as if it had never happened)
Gorgeous album. Yes a couple of fillers but can forgive that given the quality of the rest. Tracy Thorn has one of THE great voices.
I really didn't expect to like this album. I'm not sure why I do. It will never be a favorite, but it really makes me wish for a 3.5 star option. Smooth sounds ideal for chilling or sitting at the hobby table.
Cold
Really good album. You can really hear the improvements from the last in production and Songwriting. Clean and engaging throughout.. High 7
It's most certainly not an essential album. There's really not much substance to it. The first few songs are forgettable (title track aside). But, It's a groovy, trance-like, trip-hop album and this shit is so up my alley that I really enjoyed the listen and it will end up on my chill playlists. 3.5/5 Fav track: Euro Child
A good time, and it doesn't feel like it's taking itself too seriously. Would never be mad to have it on. Not sure there's a heap of meat on the bones with this one. Fave track: Heat Miser
Another pretty solid collection of tracks. Production sounding super cool again - loved driving around town to this. I think this group is landing firmly in a category for me as one I really like but don’t love. Three and a half. Fave track: Spying Glass
Massive Attack are great!
I do not like this at all. And that Doors cover was not good.
Aways find massive attack disappointing. Again they start off with a great album opener and just drop off a cliff from there. I like triphop, so why can't get I on board with these guys?
Strong 7/10 id say - really rich production and more of a UK chill atmosphere than Blue Lines or Mezzanine
I've already heard this a few times, but it's a classic contemplative record, the music feels very deep and gives off the perfect late night car drive vibe, like much of their material, this is a deeply introspective listen, definitely check this out, there's not much music out there like this now
Not my bag, slow and plodding
3/5 Good chill relaxing music, it really improves later into the album, the first half is personally a drag for me.
Broody but enough cool and nostalgia to be added to a late night driving playlist.
Chill background music
per ora mi piace molto. - karmacoma: appena è iniziata ho spalancato la bocca, strumenti/suoni che si sentono pochissimo ma sono troppo fighi. - spying glass molto chill - light my fire con suoni da hip hop molto bella conoscevo già i massive attack, il papà li ascolta molto spesso in macchina.
Succeeds in its desired atmosphere so it is respectable.
DJ/electronic isn't my cup of tea, but I was at least able to get through it.
I'm trying to find something to say about it. I had heard of the name Massive Attack before, and thought they were like a new wave band or something with more rock elements. So I was surprised to hear this electronic, trip-hop, vibe music with hints of rap and club music. But altogether, it wasn't an interesting listen to me. It's just not in my wheelhouse of enjoyability. Feels like I'm shopping at the mall at a department store, and it's just background dance/trance music. Some of it like you would hear on the Weather Channel while it scrolls through the upcoming forecasts. The beats are nice, and I enjoy some of the rap elements, but the songs don't evolve. Not much in the way of crescendos or swells, no emotional heft or grip. They start, they go, and they end. Not for me.
Interesting sound for the times and probably would have been a better fit for me at a more relaxed, chill time
Heavy sound but softer than I thought. My favorite parts are w dub reggae vibes (spying glass). Heat miser closer encapsulates the sound.
Goofy, didn’t like it sorry.
The name always throws me off. You come into it expecting blast beats, and gutturals, but you get trip hop. Regardless, it's a good listen.
Pretty relaxing and mellow album, with a bit of dub added. Enjoyed the several different singers.
Terrible!! So dated
There’s an ominous sense of dread and foreboding that I don’t enjoy. But Protection (the song) is a real earworm, and I do like the James Bond side of trip hop eg Sly.
Auch ohne Liz Fraser ist die Band unvergleichlich.
OK
Such a great album to either focus on or put on in the background
how do i say this in a nice way. it sounds alright but it sounds so... pretentious and wannabe-something. i really fucking like three though. and light my fire. kind of
Awesome Album - gives me some retro vibes. Protection was one of my favorite songs when I was around 9 or 10 yo. Always turned the TV loud as hell when it came @VIVA or @MTV
Ganz nett
meh 3 stars
One prefers the less trip-hoppy cuts, that particular sub-genre seeming awfully dated 20-30 years on. Tracey Thorne shines – what a voice. Title-cut opener and "Better Things" are great. "Weather Storm" also more along the lines of what one wants from this sort of act – loungier, say, but also elegant with some dark and thoughtful shadings. "Sly" also pretty cool but man do things go sideways late: do we need the mouth-breathing on "Heat Miser" which has a cool beat and decent keys? And that take on "Light My Fire" bad is so poorly conceived and dodgily executed that it threatens to thoroughly undo much of sleek/sophisticated vibe they've created heretofore. Overall, it's a strong outing – polished, chill, sophisticated – and stronger than Blue Lines.
I think i might have this album on CD but don't remember it. Listening while cleaning up/ laying down. Production on first track is so crisp. Not expecting trip-hop reggae on second track but I'm here for it Like that the third track is called three. Not sure about the dude repeating "three" in the background though. Fourth track piano is gorgeous. Love that the album keeps throwing new things out there but they don't overstay their welcome. Fifth track goes back to reggae, not as novel or good as 2nd. Sixth track is back to business. What a groove. Inspiration for beats. Seventh is even better beat. Whole song is a mood. Maybe the best so far. Ok now we're starting to sound like a Metroid Prime level. Which is a good thing. Vocals on Eight are interesting. Nine feels like a combo of all the cool stuff (minus the reggae) they did up to this point. Piano and strings with more in your face electronic production. Breathing sound is weird in a good way. Not sure how I feel about a live version of The Doors to close out the album but we'll see... yeah not really a fan. Doesn't sound so good compared to how clean the rest of the album sounds. Kinda an epilogue I guess but I'm not into it being part of the album. Also cracking up at the idea of a similar band covering The Doors in 2024. Overall, an amazing experience that feels like it was pushing boundaries in almost every track, even if there were a color missteps along the way.
Thought I'd like it more, there were only a couple of moments, sounds and songs I enjoyed
Супер хайповы вроде трип-хоп. Понравился сильно, хоть и не сильно разнообразный, продолжаем слушать P.S. С каждым альбомом все более впадлу писать
Of course this ends with a Doors cover.
This was an interesting one. Kind of like an adult contemporary version of The Clash. Each song was totally different, in a pleasant way. This was an interesting one for sure.
Absolutely chill. Ignored this band for far too long only ever hearing Teardrop. What a mistake. Corrected myself about 5 years ago and haven't looked back. Stand out tracks: Protection, Karmacoma, Sly
Kinda mid. Good background music to chill
Trip hop is great This is good Goes off the rails a bit at the end High 3
Favorite tracks: Protection, Weather Storm, Better Things Rating: 4/5
Second album in a row that sounds like the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack. Massive Attack is definitely up there fighting with Primal Scream for the title of "Least fitting band name of all time". This is just a pretty solid trip-hop album. Not as good as "Mezzanine", which is the only album by these guys I'm familiar with. I think that's mostly because this one lacks any standout tracks like "Angel" and "Teardrop". And also that Horace Andy cover of "Light My Fire" that is completely unnecessary and kind of ruins the ending (love the guy though).
Owned this CD, because you were supposed to like Massive Attack - but unlike blue lines, this had no massive bangers. And now it is just dull and completely forgettable
Just a classic of the genre, with wicked beats, hooks, and evocative stream-of-consciousness lyrics. I listen to this album end-to-end regularly and will keep doing so in perpetuity.
Not familiar with Massive Attack at all. I'm told they have a song that is in a well known scene in the movie "Snatch." This was fine, pretty chill, but also pretty meh. Pleasant enough.
Every day I open this up to a band I’ve never heard before, I excitedly hope that this is going to be the discovery of a band that I’m going to love and start listening to often. And today, like every other day before it that I’ve felt the same, is not that day.
Started off kind of funky but then went nowhere. Somehow managed to be both weird and boring at the same time.
seems interesting instrumentally, the vocal feature on track 1 is pretty bland though, lacks dynamics for me, track is is too repetitive overall, lacks clear and memorable melodies
Should probably give this a 1 for that godawful Light My Fire cover but some of the other stuff was ok.
on and on it drones but not awful
It was fine.
Decent album. Easy listening. Don’t see myself listening to it again though.
I like this music. It sounds soulful and has good drums. But the songs are monotone with little lyrics. Nevertheless, the beats are good and the singing that appears in some of the songs is majestic. I wouldn't listen to this casually but wouldn't mind revisiting it.
took me on a journey, very nice album
Pretty good! I dig the music a lot. I feel like it’s a 3.5 at least. The production is great. The vocals I could kind of do without. They might grow on me though.
A great album except for the dreadful Doors cover that is tacked on at the end
cool production but all the lyrics and vocals did not tickle my pickle. would give 3 stars if it was instrumental. 2 stars is the best i can do
3.5/10 boring, nothing happens
Not at all what I expected
Finding it hard to focus on the music, I keep zoning out. It's good background music. Maybe the slow beat is what's making it hard to catch my attention. New age sound.
Well, this one didn't age as well as Mezzanine for me. It starts strong with the first two tracks but I didn't care for most of the other tracks to be honest.
I could not believe how much boring that was. I really like Mezzanine and Blue Lines, but this? This is pathetic.
Impressively boring for a band that released killer albums like Blue Lines or Mezzanine.
9/10 Massive Attack has gotta be one of the coolest electronic bands I’ve heard they might not be as good as Aphex Twin or Air, but they’re still absolutely fantastic
I only liked Protection with Tracey Thorn’s added vocals. Not keen on the rest of the album. Not my bag!!
Meh
This ain’t it, bruv.
Ermmmmm, just no. Not my thing. I actually had high expectations because I knew one Massive Attack song (Teardrop) that I really liked. But this album did nothing for me.
Oh man, this was a really good album. I actually had really low hopes for it, expecting it to be some trappy experimental attempt at being "different", but nope. From the title track, I was hooked already. It's a smooth 7 minute trip carried by the strings and really opens up when the dub and piano comes in. Karmacoma is so different and yet it fits in as the next song really well somehow. Tricky has a really laidback but intricate flow, and with the beats laid behind him, it doesn't feel false or out-of-place. The 2 classically inspired pieces were my favorites. Heat Miser is just a really cool piece, while Weather Storm is more of a peaceful perfect rain song. Normally a beat like that would drive me nuts, but I always find myself humming it halfway through the song. The piano work is perfect, you can feel the song coming to a close before the beat starts to fade. This album is a great example of how minimalism can be better than more noise when everything works hard and in harmony with everything else. Most songs use very few instruments but they are brought together to create depth with the dubs and the keys and sometimes the strings. Every song was unique and diverse from the next and yet no song transition was jarring or unnatural. Despite being from many undefinable genres, this still sounds like one cohesive album. There was not a single song I didn't enjoy.
Amazing and can’t believe I’ve never heard of it. I really enjoyed the more hip hop sounds
Not bad. Not great, seminal, or classic, but not bad. A three for a middle-of-the-road album.
Listened to this while building the praying mantis from the new lego insect collection. This was a Massive Attack album...that's for sure. I somewhat enjoyed Mezzanine...but this one just didn't do much for me. The opening/title track is serviceable trip hop...and probably the best moment of the album. The Weather related track reminded me of some white women drinking wine at an outdoor festival in Orange County. Also, the final track was a really weird and annoying end to the album. I would definitely never say to anyone "oh, you should totally check out Protection." No...they would be pointed to Mezzanine instead.
Nicht gehört lol
schon strong
Gorillaz vibes but not rating it
I can only describe this album as “weed-inspired elevator music” but I mean it in the best way. Each song has its own unique style yet the album as a whole has a consistent vibe and it made for an enjoyable listen. It definitely deserves to be on this list.
A great trip hop release with a log of dub tho not there peak.
Great chill vibe. Perfectly transforming psychedelia which will change your mood. For the better.
Boring
Not my vibe.
Interesting backing tracks and ambiance with cool beats but I didn't like the vocals. Very clearly from the 90s. Some Kraftwerk-like electronic sounds.
Cool sounds but best for me as background music rather than the main attraction.
This album has a TON of variety. I got faked out because I didn’t like the first two songs that much, but this is a pretty good album.
This was great, good production, good vocals. I enjoy some of the longer tracks as well.
Already a Massive Attack fan, had mostly listened to their newer stuff-- this one is so good, and prompted me to learn a little more about their history. Unsurprisingly started from club DJs and scoring movies. Fantastic chill sexy vibe. 4 - Will definitely listen again
19 Based on this scale: 1 - 0 to 19 2 - 20 to 39 3 - 40 to 59 4 - 60 to 79 5 - 80 to 100 This is just boring.
Great background music. Not bad but easily forgotten.
Not my favorite massive attack album, but good nonetheless.
'Protection' was the album I put on on September 11th, when I needed to stop watching the news and find something comforting. Tracey Thorn's lyrics on the opening track felt like a warm blanket insulating me from the world. The whole album continues to feel like a safe space, escapist but with one eye still on reality. I know 'Blue Lines' is their celebrated album but I always found 'Protection' to be a huge leap forward for Massive Attack. It's not a perfect album but since I don't get review 'Mezzanine' (as it's not on the list), I can't not give 5 stars to at least one Massive Attack album.
Chi)l music for background
Had too much caffeine today and this album stressed me out.
The weakest of the first three Massive Attack albums. A couple of muzak tracks and an entirely unnecessary cover of Light My Fire have cost it a star.
Mostly marvellous.
trip-hop, trip-skip and trip-jump
Wasn’t feeling this
"Protection," "Karmacoma," and "Euro Child" are incredible, building up layers and constantly adding motifs. You can just feel how they pushed electronica forwards by slowing it down and saying, "hey, this can be intelligent and tender and meaningful." It's just a shame that the rest of this album sounds like keyboard demo modes, and the awful "Light My Fire" cover is so unnecessary and incongruent.
что-то такое нейтральное электронное
Massive Attack is great, haven't listened to this one in forever.
Ok
I enjoyed this album despite it occasionally becoming slightly tedious. Some of the songs drag on a bit, especially those with the female vocals, which I found very inspiring. This being said it had some songs I really liked particularly in the first half of the album; the quality seemed to drop as the album advances. Top 3 1. Karmacoma 2.weather Storm 3.Spying Glass Worst track -Three
Massive Attack always has a special place in my heart. Extremely cool, chill triphop.
I know the opening track of this album well, but as a whole this album was just so-so. Some of the songs just sound like noodling over backing tracks; not bad necessarily, but it just didn't do much to hold my attention. This would be good music to put on in the background if I'm looking to do focused work though.
This just isn't for me. I didn't care for it. It wasn't offensive though, so it's just a big meh. 2/5
This isn’t really my sound at all, but I’m at least starting to understand the appeal of Massive Attack. I appreciate the aggression and versatility of their style, which is evident here. C
ate interessante algumas, mas meio interminavel (fiquei chocada ao ver o tempo total pq pareceu o dobro)
Cool music although probably not something I would listen to a lot.
3.5
Some quality tracks and another great album.
Well, it certainly not my most favorite Massive Attack album. It's got that indelible stink of the mid-90s on it. Cheesy synths, shallow lyrics, weird mesh of genres.... It's all there and none of it's great. But, for all that, it's not bad. Far from it, in fact. It's just not the best offering from Massive Attack.
Felt too experimental, non melodic, off beats and sound effects and synth and, crossover of reggae / electrónica,
Every element adds up so nicely. Surprisingly melodic. Tracey Thorn ♡
star ratings suck
Pretty good so far, nice background as I'm working. Really nice for background.
Verging on a 5 tbh. Not bad for their 3rd best album. Karmacoma being the peak.
It was kind of nice to listen to. I didn't get much depth and I wasn't intrigued or really entertained.
Doesn’t speak to me much but it was solid and cool enough
I'm familiar with other Native Attack albums, not this one. And this one is not really interesting to me. It's not horrible, but I'm seriously wondering why this is part of this 1001 list.
Þetta er argasta snilld. Ómögulegt að sitja kyrr. Vorkenni ykkur að hafa misst af danstjáningunni minni í eldhúsinu í morgun.
The title is deceiving I was scared this would be some heavy metal or something but no! It’s cute and it’s sweet and it’s soft and it’s easy I liked it
Good downtempo electronic, similar to Air. Good not great 6/10.
listening to this felt like dragging myself through mud and/or quicksand while it's raining. no thanks.
Super interesting album-it contains multiple styles/genres and creates a variety of moods. Interesting to listen to!
It was okay
Shit started off fire. Ended eh. Fire sounds
A good project, you do get used to it though because it doesn't change it up very much. Overall though a happy experience. (71%)
Really liked this album and its vibes. Except for the cover of Light My Fire, which was pretty mediocre.
I am a big fan of Blue Lines and Mezzanine but weirdly hadn't listened to this album. The tracks with Tracy Thorn are great. Overall this feels like Blue Lines pt2,its not as exciting and the live track at the end is totally out of place but overall still good.
3.5
this is trip hop as they say with a little soul. i've truly never heard this before in my life.
maybe unfairly comparing to mezzanine… but really really liked it!!
The randomizer be not so random as Hal 2000 (randomizer nicknamed) offers up Massive Attack's second album "Protection." The album follows the previous album's structure with music being similar- trip hop and incorporating elements of hip hop/rap, R&B, reggae, synth-pop and electronica. It was quite as critically acclaimed as "Blue Lines" but did fairly well commercially hitting #4 in the UK and #18 in the US Heatseakers' charts. The album opens with "Protection" and Tracey Thorn from Everything But The Girl on vocals. The song builds slowly with the piano. More in the pop/R&B category. Sampling James Brown "The Payback." Nice song. "Karmacoma" takes it in a reggae direction. Talking/rapping. Rhyming "Karmacoma" with Jamaica. Alright, I'll give it to you. "Sly" has a seductive drumbeat. Scottish singer Nicolette on vocals. Strings in the background. This does sound like it belongs in a James Bond movie. We're met with "Exorcist"-sounding pianos and a constant Darh Vader breathing in "Heat Miser." Synths and a downbeat. Interesting. The album ends with live cover of the Doors' "Light My Fire." A lot going on with the synths. Scratching. Horace Andy and Daddy G on vocals. It does eventually get a groove going. Not sure this was necessary but they did it. This is a decent album. I can't say as groundbreaking as "Blue Lines." It's more laid back and adds more elements of jazz and reggae. It you're a trip hop fan, you'll like this.
Nothing I’ll really listen to over and over, but both of the Massive Attack albums I’ve gotten so far are perfect albums to play while studying or reading.
Driving bass line, hugely influential, mostly boring
It’s okay, I’m more familiar with Mezzanine and prefer that album over this one. I would listen again.
Electro planante Titre protection très beau Télétravail ++
This does not get me excited.