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$17.99 CD
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MASSIVE ATTACK
Heliogoland
(Virgin)
 "Pray for Rain"
"Para Di Se Circus"
Massive Attack's fifth studio full-length, Heligoland, finds these trip-hop purveyors touching on the template that they established on 1998's Mezzanine. Once a trio of DJs/producers/friends, Massive Attack grew out of the sound system era of '90s Bristol. Yet with their rise in popularity, the band eventually splintered, leaving the project in the hands of just one member from the original group, musician/vocalist/artist Robert "3D" del Naja, who brought in producer Neil Davidge for the last album, 2003's 100th Window -- a record which found the once sample-filled and soul-fuelled Massive Attack moving into the whitewashed glitchy soul territory of Radiohead, whom Davidge also produced. Heliogland continues that partnership, but marks the return of founding member Grant "Daddy G" Marshall, who had taken a break to raise a family, as well as assistant producer Tim Goldsworthy (DFA/Unkle). The Massive sound also always features an array of guest vocalists and this time, along with the leads from Del Naja and Marshall, we get Hope Sandoval, Martina Topley-Bird, Guy Garvey (Elbow), Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio), Damon Albarn, and of course, Horace Andy.
Heligoland sounds like MA wants to be a "real band;" the production has a live feel and the songs seem to be crafted with an arena in mind -- maybe not anthems, yet big in scope and feel. From the TVOTR-influenced handclaps on "Paradise Circus" to the Velvet Underground-inspired drug tale of "Rush Minute," new elements are incorporated with varied results. It can be odd to hear the influence of folk and rock come into their sphere, but the band does a nice job of toning down the electronics and bringing a varied palette to these tracks, as on "Flat of the Blade" with Guy Garvey, one of the best of the record, or on the Martina-voiced "Psyche." These two songs were also featured on their Splitting the Atom EP in remix form, and I must confess that this renders the originals a little less impressive. As the years roll on, many of Massive Attack's better moments seem to be when they are remixed and/or when they pick a vocalist who can bring out their mournful and cinematic edge, like Tunde's turn on "Pray for Rain." Heligoland is not the best record from these onetime ground-breakers, but upon repeated listens it has a poetry and a logic that work, and their shifting sounds and lyrical claustrophobia starts to make sense. It's Massive Attack's most soulful record since 1994's Protection, however, and like that release it will be given a complete remix treatment; word on the street is that Burial is set to take on the entire album, which may prove to be the one missing ingredient needed for this soulful stew. [DG]
Order CD by Texting "omcdmassiveheligoland" to 767825 |
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