Massive Attack: Mezzanine

1998

His album

Eric says: Blue Lines and Protection were both albums that seamlessly fused hip-hop, dub, pop, and even some house influences together into a warm, sensual whole (by the way, make sure to check out “Five Man Army”from 1991’s Blue Lines and tell me that track isn’t the SHIT) . Mezzanine, released in 1998 after a four-year break, was an altogether different animal. Dark, dense, menacing, and cold, it was quite a departure. With a few exceptions that give room to breathe, this album is a tightly wound black hole. And it’s brilliant. Like most great albums, it doesn’t really work or sink in on the first few listens. I got back into this album last winter when I was still living in New York. It was the perfect soundtrack to nighttime walks around the East Village and Lower East Side. This one is a keeper. It’s an 11-year-old electronic album, released at the height of “electronica” – Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim, the Prodigy, and all the rest – that doesn’t sound dated. Quite a feat.

But the track I want to highlight is “Teardrop”. Sung by the Cocteau Twins’ Elisabeth Fraser, it’s a fragile, gorgeous piece that works emotionally even though I can only make out the lyrics “black flowers blossom” and “teardrop on fire”. Check the creepy/beautiful video featuring a baby in utero.

Anouche says: If someone played you this album and did not tell you what year it was from, you could definitely identify this as a product of the ‘90s. It’s got that dark, trip-hop, stoned dance-music feel that was unique to electronic music of the era. It’s dancey yet relaxing. The style of the songs employing the female vocalist sound like Madonna’s better songs from the late 90’s (and I wouldn’t be surprised if Madonna ripped off Massive Attack, she rips off everyone else.) On the other hand it employs industrial electro sounds reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails (what is that? The warning beep when you don’t put on your seat belt?) There’s also that tribal music influence that was so well loved by sample-mad musicians of the time. It all works seamlessly to create what I’d call a mood album -- A mood album that makes me want to wear too much eyeliner and glitter and dance around in something made out of stretchy crushed velvet. 

That’s not to say that I don’t like Massive Attack or this album -- to the contrary. But it is a product of the era it was released in. You know when you just can’t ever drink tequila again (gin, vodka, whatever) because of a bad experience? That’s kind of this genre of music for me. I had a lot of fun but at some point I overdosed. Songs sipped individually are quite enjoyable, but as a whole album I start to feel a little overwhelmed. Poor Eric is going to think that I hate all his music, which is not the case. 

Standouts:

"Teardrop" is a pretty, melodic tune with a cool vinyl-inspired crackle in the background and a good beat.

"Man Next Door": This has a steady “low” beat, simple composition and great vocals from reggae legend Horrace Andy.

Comments

[supra shoes]

You are right, it doesn't have to be one or the other. If God is truly transforming us as leaders, the creativity should be evident and coming out of our pores.