I’ve changed my vote for best song 3 times already. That’s usually a good sign.
My dad went through a huge Massive Attack phase in the 90s. Somehow this hasn’t ruined them for me. Only 4/5 though as I never got on with 100th Window or Heligoland
Gone for a 4. Blue Lines and Mezzanine are both absolute fucking classic albums and BL in particular is fairly high up my all-time list (Safe From Harm and Unfinished Sympathy are two of the best singles of the 90s by far) Protection is fine, but it’s just kind of there and doesn’t do a huge amount for me. Like horse said above, never really got on with 100th Window (which is pretty much a 3D solo record anyway) or Heligoland.
Early stuff is brilliant, when they had the friction within the group to be very ruthless with their quality control. Their weakest albums are those that lack that and are the most white, if that makes sense. Teaming up with Young Fathers a few years back reinvigorated them and their live shows.
Think I would’ve gotten on better with them if it wasn’t for the fact I overplayed 100 broken wankers. Went on holiday with my family when I was 14 and only had that and an Asian dub foundation album to listen to on a coach ride to Spain and couldn’t sleep so probably played it about 10 times in a day there and back. I did also have a couple magazines to read but I found it difficult to read on the bus.
Not sure if they still do it but their live shows with all the stats and graphics on the big screen were among the best things I’ve been to in my life.
