Blue Lines

The original trip hop album. Still sounds just as good now as it did 30 years ago.

An album somehow both distilled essence of its time yet also timeless. With nods to 70s soul deep cuts and a melange of styles and genres, Massive Attack made this masterpiece for the ages. Absorbing, flowing, emotional - electronic music was rarely this introspective. And Unfinished Sympathy isn’t one of the greatest musical achievements of the century as the soaring orchestra builds and swells and Shara Nelson’s beautiful vocals ring clear and sweet creating a transformative, epic, maxi and mini track. Exciting and frightening.

Maybe revolutionary in its day, but it does not hold up for me. It could be a victim of its own success, creating an oft copied formula, once a bright shining star, but now it just blends in with the streetlamps.

One of the best albums ever. Hands down.

From the opening burbling bass of Safe From Harm, I was hooked. What a song. What an album. Genre defining. I love Mezzanine which is a more consistent album but the high points of Blue Lines are enough to carry the album to a 5 🌟rating

Makes me want to go out and buy rubbers.

listen without prejudice they say, it's so hard. I grew up in Bristol, I was a teenager when this whole thing was kicking off. So strip away the hometown pride and teenage navel gazing what have you got? Basically a tsunami of an album one of the most distinct and incredible elements of this album is the bass, the bass is omnipresent loud and driving you have to remember that it was all guitars at the time. but they brought that heavy bass sound. Songs like safe from harm and one love, make Bass the king. the other thing that's great about this album is no one owns it, you have Horace Andy singing, 3D and Tricky rapping and Shara Nelson's iconic vocals. each song sounds differnt each song engages you in a differnt way, Yet it's cohesive. To me this album is the definition of collaboration. I could go on and on, folklore and drama surround it, but it's the music right and the music is so sweet. The shipping rhythms, the rolling bass and dream like pads make the music a waking dream something dark and beautiful. I'd give this a 6 if I could it's their best album by far and one of the best albums I've heard on this darn book list.

Vocals are dynamic but very much reminiscent of the time period. Instrumentation holds up incredibly well and is solely unique to Massive Attack, that is a sexy, futuristic fusion of multiple genres such as a hip-hop, soft rock, jazz, etc. in a near psychedelic manner.

I thought about giving this album a 4, because they have at least 2 better albums, but then ❤️❤️❤️unfinished sympathy❤️❤️❤️ came on.

Yay some trip hop!! And not only that, but maybe the ultimate trip hop! I love the hip-hop, reggae, soul and electronic influences but they're all beautifully curated into something very pleasing and calming to my mind. The bouncy beat on Hymn of the Big Wheel makes me feel delicious things. It's perfect to me, no flaws. Unfinished Sympathy, another tuuuune.

🌋😭🌋🌋 really good album bro. A lot of the drums are crazy good. One Love is fire . 1. Five Man Army 2. Unfinished Sympathy 3. Blue Lines The album incorporates hip hop, funk soul and electronic music together . I gotta stop reading the Apple Music description before hand.

Day 44 of AlbuMs You Must Hear. Before the genre trip-hop existed in 1991, English electronic music Massive Attack released their debut album, Blue Lines. This is a really chill record with lots of sampling, breakbeats and scratching. There is some singing and some rapping on Blue Lines but the true star of this show is the production. Check out the cool William DeVaughn sample of A Cadillac Don’t Come Easy on Be Thankful For What You Got. I really enjoyed Blue Lines by Massive Attack. Please share your thoughts, opinions and memories!!

November 28, 2023 Masterpiece. Innovative, executed perfectly. Every track holds. "Because my ak rig goes boom boom My ak rig goes boom"

Before it was called trip hop it was called acid jazz which frankly is a huge turn off. I always liked Mezzanine more than this but this really kind of started off a whole genre. Shit is fire. Really inventive stuff, kind of mashed up a bunch of things that was swirling around the UK club scene at the time. Although they did it better later with the aforementioned Mezzanine, and Portishead is really the gold standard of the genre- you can look at this album as the most influential in trip hop.

Good in ‘91 and still grooves. Excellent cool as ice jazz and soul samples and covers. Rapping and wordplay are clever. Production and music is excellent. Mix of singing, reggae and rap is a good variety. Top notch, but do I prefer this to Protection? Are they both good enough for 5*? Probably!

Awesome album, one of the ones I enjoyed most so far. Equally capable of being background music or being the focus of attention. Safe from harm and the majestic unfinished sympathy dominate, but all tracks work really well as a piece.

Massive Attack is one of my favorite bands of all-time. The advent of trip-hop was amazing and this album illustrated the things to come from this english duo.

Groooooovy. Loving it. Best enjoyed with headphones.

mf rhymed 'dangerous' with 'contagerious'

Another legendary record that doesn’t move me in the slightest.

Haven't we already listened to an album by this band? I'm just not into this type of music. It bores and annoys me

Is it club music? Is it hip hop? Neither, both, but less than the sum of its parts. Underwhelming rhymes, sounds dated and very 90s but in a not great way. That said, there's a few decent tracks on here: Blue Lines, Unfinished Sympathy and Hymn Of The Big Wheel

It's just kinda there nothing special imo

I think I'm definitely missing something here and feel bad for giving it a 2 for a half assed listen on my part, but that's just the way it is.

It's fine, but it's boring. Background music. 'Unfinished Sympathy' is a banger though.

Was ok - not really my jam

Not a fan- Sounded like something out of the Matrix. Super 90's with the drum and base and techo kind of vibes.

"I was looking back to see if you were looking back at me To see me looking back at you"

Un album que je connais bien, que j'écoute de temps en temps sur ma hifi et que j'ai eu le plaisir de redécouvrir dans mes écouteurs Sorti en 1991, dans un monde ou le hip hop est à peine installé, il est à la base de plein de belles choses, notamment en terme d'electronica et de trip hop Au final en réecoutant cet album je me rends compte qu'il m'a beaucoup inspiré dans mes créations, j'adore la façon dont ils utilisent les samples, j'adore cette fusion entre electro et orchestral, leurs invités et le tyoe de chant qu'ils décident de poser sur leurs productions C'est impecable C'est beau C'est très inspirant Et ça a franchement bien vielli malgré que ce soit marqué par son époque Merci massive attack 4,5/5

Before I’ve even listened to one note I am stoked, I lived this album back in the day and it’s been years since I last have given it any AirPlay. Having re listened to it I wasn’t disappointed, every song is a total banger, each hitting home with strong beats, still loving their best known hit unfinished sympathy and ending with the hymn of the big wheel which I think is such a haunting tune

“Unfinished Sympathy… one of the most moving pieces of dance music ever, able to soften hearts and excite minds just as keenly as Bacharach or McCartney.”

Dark, moody and claustrophobic….. just a great great album

Im Rückblick noch mehr Urknall als Grunge in dem Jahr. Weite, und ich meine weite Teile der 90er unvorstellbar ohne das Teil, Kruder und Dorfmeister waren ja bei denen im Kindergarten. Bass? Yeah! Drums? MEEEGAA. Aber auch die Raps möchte Vati lobend erwähnen: slick, smooth and juicy. "Bums", wie es so schön zärtlich in "daydreaming" haucht.

Seit gestern wieder nur zweiter im ewigen Battle: wer gefällt Guido besser, Blue Lines oder Protection? Aber wie das so ist in ewigen Battles: der Kampf ist noch lange nicht entschieden. Das hier featured Basslines für die Ewigkeit, den perfekten Popsong, und mit Hymn of the Big Wheel einen Grower, der auch nach Jahrzehnten bei mir immer noch Potential hat. Momentan: 4,7 Sterne

Stone cold classic. Good to read the wiki and understand how pivotal it is. Tbh, can get a little pedestrian at times, but that’s the vibe I guess

Smooth album. Large hip hop influence. Great vocals.

Excellent going on a couple playlists

Massive Attack invented Trip Hop with this album and even though it was the start of the genre, this album is still really solid and stays as one of the best Trip Hop records of all time. The blend of the trippy and dreamy Hip Hop inspired beats with the light vocals that switch from gentle rapping to soulful performances as well as the additions of instrumental and electronic Raggae in the form of Dub is just a one of a kind spectacle. And although their album 'Mezzanine' is much, much stronger, this record had crazier and more forward thinking ideas that pushed Trip Hop into the path we know today. 'Safe From Harm' kicks things off with the mix of the trippy sounds of Trip Hop and the energetic breakbeats of Street Soul while incorporating a lot of Turntablism into the mix. The song uses the repetetive nature of sampling with a turntable perfectly as an advantage to create tension while still having a lot of soundscapes build around the main beat. And on top of that, the vocals are absolutely amazing and work so perfectly. I think the entire song works perfectly and not just as an opening track but as a song itself. The Dub appears fittingly on 'One Love' which is a perfect mix of the Raggae influence with the Trip Hop style. The vocals are a little bit silly at points but to be honest, it doesn't annoy much. I think the main "problem" is that the song is feels not fully fleshed out and at multiple points like they didn't check over it. I think it's still a good song but it also stays at good and not much more. The title track 'Blue Lines' now adds much more Hip Hop with some very low-key and gentle rapping that has a pretty warm and atmospheric feeling too it. I really love the production with the Jazz Bass, the sample flip as well as the actual verses that sometimes even go into Abstract Hip Hop territory. I think if there was a little more to it like a chorus or a hook (vocally or instrumental), it might've been a perfect song but the way it's done here is still really incredible. The very prominet Soul vocals of 'Be Thankful for What You've Got' with the R&B sound of the track do make this a really enjoyable track even with less Trip Hop in the actual production although it still has the typical drums, it's just that the entirety of the song is much more a Soul song than it is Trip Hop. I think the song is great and I love the chorus as well as the vocal deliveries but I just don't connect with it as much as with other songs on here. 'Five Man Army' returns to the strong Hip Hop influence and combines it with some Dub which is a lovely combo. I really love the production with the few trumpets in the mix that really add the enjoyment of the beat. The verses from the rappers are really well written and performed and are pretty much some of the best UK Hip Hop moments that have been made up until this point and are still from todays view, really solid. They obviously aren't close to anything from Little Simz or idk GZA but they are solid. As is the full track by the way. Even with the length of it it does have a lot of incredible moments and comes out to a pretty great song. The albums second half is started by 'Unfinished Sympathy' which combines strong Dance elements with Cinematic Classical strings that create a sound that feels both epic and energetic while still having the dreamy soundscapes of Trip Hop above it. Although I think that these elements don't perfectly work together, the vocal performance is really holding this together as a track but I believe it would've been better without the strings. It's still a great song and I get why so many see it as the best track on the album. 'Daydreaming' returns with more Rap influences and I think that they work pretty well especially the flow seems to fit neatlessly on the beat which I think is really the star of this track. The production is so great especially the details in there. I really like the song but I think that it doesn't have enough to it overall to reach a great level although I'd really wish that because I really like the production choices, it's just the thing finished that don't feel enough. There is again more Soul on 'Lately' but I feel like it doesn't go as hard as it did before. This track doesn't feel fully finished and also pretty lame in comparison. It's not bad but it doesn't go above an okay track that is fine to listen to but I don't really care for it at all. The album closes with a sonically very pure Trip Hop track 'Hymn of the Big Wheel' that only adds a couple of Dub, R&B and even New Age elements beneath the surface and with it being the albums longest track, it does feature some of the most interesting moments. The production feels grand but still very atmospheric and even a little bit cold. Although the vocals are again a little bit silly, they still work and I do think that the song ends up being pretty great. I really like the song on its own and also how it closes the album. favourites: Safe From Harm, Blue Lines, Unfinished Sympathy, Five Man Army least favourites: Lately, One Love, Daydreaming Rating: decent 8 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

I love me some trip-hop. I think Mezzanine is a better album overall, but there's something really raw and significant about this album all the same. It really feels like it was at the crest of the wave for the genre - really enjoyed it

I haven’t been this pleasantly surprised going into something I thought I’d dislike since my first viewing of “The Sound of Music” in a movie theater nearly a decade ago - this album combines hip-hop, dub, soul, reggae and electronic music into an incredibly satisfying melange.

Solid, but sometimes a bit repetitive. Great for dancing by yourself in your room, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Favourites included Daydreaming and Blue Lines (the title track).

I started out listening to this thinking I liked the darker tone of Mezzanine better, and after finishing it I still think that stands. But other aspects of this album - Tricky’s rapping in particular - are better. Solid 4 stars.

So many different voices and sounds. Some reggae, some parts were more rap heavy. Really interesting.

Well, they certainly remind us who they are at every opportunity. They produced some great stuff later on, but this doesn't do anything for me.

Snooze fest

I've never been a huge Massive Attack fan. I'm sure they're great, and they are probably the originators, but I feel like there have been so many parodies and stuff on this "type" of music, I couldn't get past the parody to hear it as a real serious album.

The first song (and a couple of other songs in the album) are quite similar to a parody talk that Reggie Watts had at POP TECH where he was saying a bunch of nonsense and was making that kind of music on-stage but it was very nonsensical. I don't think that the album was absolutely amazing, but I am sure it has an audience. There was nice little music in the background and then someone would appear and say things relatively quietly, and sometimes the things would rhyme.

When you are a pioneer, trying to blaze new trails, you don't always find the ideal route the first time. "Blue Lines" has been credited as the first trip-hop album, and knowing Massive Attack's trip-hop reputation I was excited to listen. However, these are clearly the early experiments of the genre, not its later heights. Some of the beats and structure were what I expected, but the soul vocals were not what I was looking for. And though I remember liking Tricky's solo stuff, the tracks that featured him were not much better. "Blue Lines" is somewhere in the 2-3 range, minus a star for the disappointment, plus a star for pioneering a genre that would later produce some amazing material... (Interestingly, after listening to this I stumbled upon Massive Attack's "Teardrop" on Sirius XMU. Definitely the Massive Attack song I'm most familiar with. So much better than "Blue Lines." Then a few songs later they played The National's "The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness." (We also listened to The National last week.) Fantastic song. Probably my favorite I've heard from them. Better than anything on "High Violet." I thought both of those popping up today was pretty serendipitous.)

This was a massive attack on my ears. I will gladly stay away from this group in the future.

lukewarm beats and irritating vocals. Plodding and soporific. We've progressed a lot since this album. Was pretty happy when this album ended.

Synthy, cheesy white rapping over monotonous instrumental instruments. Confused reggae early 90s alt rock. Frankly, very bad.

I am no fan of trip-hop, and I wouldn't shed too many tears if the entire city of Bristol was to fall into the sea. This sounds...atrocious. Boring, dated - and how many times are they going to say the phrase 'massive attack'? I'm trying to imagine a scenario where I'd put this on out of choice, and am failing. Perhaps interrogating someone at Abu Ghraib?

Meh

great beats. werido lyrics and kinda off putting.

1991. Key Songs: Be Thankful For What You've Got

Favourite tracks: safe from harm; one love; hymn of the big wheel; unfinished sympathy; daydreaming; be thankful for what you've got

This album changes everything when it arrived. Never heard anything like it ✊🏻

Lyrical masterpiece

Sehr gutes album, kenn ich, leicht hip Hop und zeitlos

This is so groovy and silky and sexy. I really love their lyrics too, and there’s a lot of cool layers in their sound. And the blending of hip-hop and reggae and electronic chill vibes (and more!) is pretty awesome. It all felt very creative and unique. So great!

Great

Love it. Give it time to let it slowly ooze in to your soul. Love the vibe. Dark and warm. Added it to my collection. Will listen to it many more times.

Love the melancholy sound of Massive Attack

I love trip-hop, one of the best electronic subgenres. "Blue Lines" happens to be one of the best in that genre. It's got classics like "Safe From Harm" and "Unfinished Symphony". Don't forget the talents of everyone involved with this album. Hopefully, I'll get "Mezzanine" soon. 5 stars for "Blue Lines".

A perfect album. So dark and brooding and slightly menacing but beautiful at the same time. Awesome performances all round. Horace Andy's vocals are magnificent, Tricky is a genius and Unfinished Sympathy a stone cold classics.

Too long since I heard this. One if the best of all time.

Yes. Yes to literally anything Massive Attack. I want the two dudes from Massive Attack to eiffel tower me. I don't even care. I love this record and this band so much.

fuckin YESSSSSSSSSSSSS it's up next on my vinyl shopping list best song: all of them worst song: n/a

Rating: 9.5/10 A quintessential trip-hop album. The mix of genres and styles are immaculate, vocals and rapping are superb, and overall an excellent album from start to finish.

Great Massive Attack album. Their first three albums are 5* and Mezzanine (> Blue Lines > Protection) should also have been included.

It is already quite promising to me when an album starts with the bass line from Billy Cobham's Stratus, and then doubles up with a Mahavishnu Orchestra sample on the second track. And the rest of the album does not disappoint. Classic trip hop, with Unfinished Sympathy as the highlight.

saw this and did a cartwheel in the workshop then shouted yippee

One of the next albums, of any genre, ever made. There was nothing like Massive Attack before, and nothing like it since. Although the genre as a whole didn’t stick around, this album sounds as fresh and cutting edge as the day it was released. And it’s not even their best album.

Awesome album, an album I was not expecting much from but really enjoyed and will listen to it over and over again. This album can easily be background music or an album to really pay attention too. It has it all. Musically there is some great drumming on this album!. Favourite song: I have always loved safe from harm and unfinished sympathy but discovered day dreaming and blue lines through this challenge. So many great tunes. Least favourite: None Album artwork: Love the cover

Very few albums \ artists \ tracks have the effect of transporting you to a place and\or time. This is one of those albums though. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I was back with my mates in the early 1990's - driving round in Tommy's 205 GTi (1.9 obviously) or Jay's XR3i cab. Another genre-creating album, one of the easiest 5 starts I've given.

Amazing 👏

Legitimately one of the best albums I’ve heard in my entire life. Massive Attack are absolute units 5/5

Impressive!

I always found trip hop to be a bit cringy. Shara Nelson raises this to an undeniable classic.

-favs while listening: Safe from harm (the Bassline 😮‍💨😮‍💨), Blue Lines, five man army, Lately - man, all of these are fire - this is such a well made album - the tasty basslines, drum parts - absolutely amazing mix of HipHop, jazz and soul in a nearly psychedelic manner - I need to add this to my vinyl collection OVERALL: 5/5

Weirdly intense but chill at the same time, quite a moody album. Some interesting takes on some cover songs! Good beats and flow on the vocals. Inherited this CD of my cousin after he died so will always have a soft spot for me. Opened up some musical influences I would never have had otherwise. Thanks Mark <3

5/5. This is one of those classics that is hard to argue with. Just the innovative energy through the whole thing, you can even hear it nowadays. They jumped into something new and are so confident about it. Every song feels like a step into a new door of a beautiful and elegant mansion. It's simply a well made and produced album that is a must listen. The blending of the darker genres mixed with upbeat genres of dance and electronic is perfect. It's walking on a beautiful day in the park while being worried someone might be following you vibes. Just awesome stuff. Best Song: Safe From Harm, Be Thankful For What You Got, Unfinished Sympathy

Amazing!

Great debut, still sounds fresh even though a lot of trip hop sounds of its time. The bass creates a great mood of introspection

Never heard this one before. No hits that I knew but good listening

Mint Vocals on these were so good Luv big beats me Every song was chef’s kiss 😘 Unfinished symphony wow wow wow

Such a cool album. This was pretty much all new to me, though I've heard some other Massive Attack before. To learn this is basically the beginning of trip-hop, thay really nailed it and it still sounds amazing today. It's very stylish with some good hooks and samplings. I really loved One Love, Be Thankful for What You've Got, and Unfinished Symphony.

In the frontline of beat-oriented music in 91’. Still sounds fresh.

Without a doubt one of the best albums of the 1990s in any genre.

HEARD BEFORE - YES OWNED - YES (VINYL & CD) WILL BUY - N/A Truly one of the greatest albums ever made. Never gets boring. Still hear new things to intrigue me every time. Sounds incredible through good headphones. One of the best late night driving albums.

It’s been nice re-listening to this album. I have forgotten how much I love this style.

pretty good

Breathtaking. From start to finish

An absolute masterpiece, origins of trip hop right here, add in Shara Nelson and it's just the right tone. "Unfinished Sympathy" remains an all timer as well.

Really enjoyed this. I’ve heard tracks here and there but never listened to a whole album of theirs. Guess I’ve been missing out.

Awesome album. The freshest thing I have heard all year and it's 35 years old. the samples are incredible; reggae guitar, baselines, vocals, everything. I want more and more and more. That last track just set the fucking tone for the rest of the day too. Easily will come back to this album. The drums are incredible too. Stand out Tracks: Safe from Heaven, One love, Unfinished Sympathy, Hymn of the Big Wheel

very very awesome. one of the albums i knew about prior to starting this project, and i didnt know what to expect. i always heard it talked about as an indie head record. so trip hop wasnt exactly what i was ready for, but every track had something special. also fantastic album art

Two thoughts: I had to chuckle when “Five Man Army” shouted out the line “But gettin’ a Visa card nowadays isn’t hard”. Prescient for 1991, and how easy credit in some ways helped create some of the market chaos that’s happened since, including the 2008 crash. My second thought is less ominous: this is my next vinyl purchase. I was surprised I didn’t have it already, honestly. Lots of memories of just being right out of college but still going to nightclubs and this was everywhere, you couldn’t escape it. Rightly so too; it’s a stone cold classic. Literally every damn track is a banger. It’s now considered an early classic of what became dub, but what blows me away is how fresh it all still sounds over 30 years (30 years!! 😱) later.

9/10. Trip hop is a really cool music genre. This is an innovative album. :)

One of my favourite albums ever.