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Album Details
- Artist: Massive Attack
- Album: Heligoland
- Label: Virgin
- Year of Release: 2010
- ME Rating:
- Reviewed by: archelon on 2010-03-15
RecommendThey say you can judge a person by the company he keeps, and if that is true of bands too then we have always judged Massive Attack on the basis of their guest vocalists. Continuing this trend on paper, it's all sunshine and roses - contributions from Elbow's Guy Garvey, Damon Albarn, Hope Sandoval and TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe. No point in doing these things by halves, then, and you'd hope not, as it seems to have taken 7 years to Massive attack to find themselves with their 5th album release. And for the first half of 'Heligoland' Massive Attack have made a record that is distinctly less than the sum of it's impressive parts. 'Babel' is flat and forgettable and even the opener 'Pray For Rain'(Tunde Adebimpe's big moment) falls far short of expectations. Lots of noise but not much progress so far, all ambience and no substance, and Mushroom's absence is just as poignant as it was on '100th Window'.
Then we hit track number six and presumably Daddy G's return from sabbatical, 'Flat of the Blade'. Guy Garvey's voice is known for it's careworn quality but as he sighs and wobbles over the rootsy noises in the background he rockets himself to a whole new level of emotion - he sounds haunted to the point of madness. Then we have the eerily innocent-sounding 'Paradise Circus', on which Hope Sandoval sighs and growls you into a minimalistic sense of ecstasy. Then 'Saturday Come Slow' with Damon Albarn's return to his anguished teenage I've-been-up-all-night years. It's fantastic.
Any of these songs could have easily fitted on 'Mezzanine' - there's nothing earthshakingly new. But Massive Attack have still managed to make half an album of their thing that no-one else does, which is impressive when you take into account the scores of bands that have tried to copy them over the years.
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on 2010-02-04 lewiswilkinson Said:
Massive Attack: Heligoland
Massive Attack have never been known for working under pressure, but after a seven year interlude they have returned. Their debut, Blue Lines (1991) was a new sound, not before heard. Almost twenty years on, their fifth studio album Heligoland, is still as fresh, dirty, yet warm and enveloping as ever.
Heligoland, described as the best collaboration of the generation by some still pushes the boundaries. Throughout the album you hear sounds not far removed from the likes of Portishead and Radiohead with real world music undertones, but still unmistakeably Massive Attack. The opening track Pray For Rain is almost certainly one of the best, with a powerful yet breaking beat throughout, and a solid, yet strangely involving melancholic chord sequence. Follow this with Babel, the cold, close and almost clammy sound of the track and the album is off to a grimy, personal and hugely addictive start. Two tracks in, and you are already irrevocably involved in this masterpiece.
The dingy, offbeat baseline of Splitting The Atom is what we have come to know and love from Massive Attack, although the sound is neither old nor boring, but more like meeting an acquaintance from years ago friendly, familiar, but still different and new. The excellent faster paced Girl I Love You follows, and you are instantly knocked back by a solid baseline, only complimented by the accompanying horns, which help make the track another instant classic.
Flat Of The Blade, featuring vocals from Elbows Guy Garvey is instantly haunting, with a delicious electro twist. The beat, though twitchy is not irregular and provides a haven of consistency while Garvey mystifies and almost finds a type of soul-jazz. Followed by the sombre Paradise Circus, the silky smooth piano is worked well, with the classic hand clap used to maximum effect. Vocals by Hope Sandoval work well, complimented by the off-kilter piano meaning you really do feel her despair.
A smooth delivery makes Rush Minute all that more enjoyable, although not much more can be said except its about the right length, and does just sound as Massive Attack should. Saturday Comes Slow, the penultimate track featuring Damon Albarn however is almost too short. The less imposing, more simple beat and melody fully compliments Albarn's voice, leaving you wishing it went on and on. A genuine soulfulness is found here, with Albarn almost crying do you love me again and again, and you really do want to say yes.
Atlas Air leaves you wanting more, with an addictive sound and even more addictive beat. A well worked techno interlude adds to the intensity of the track that builds even until it closes with another delicious techno indulgence.
Heligoland sees Massive Attack go back to their roots, but still be completely new after the lacklustre anti climax that was 100th Window. Only comparable in quality and sheer audible pleasure to Blue Lines and Mezzanine, it is simply a must have for anyone new to Massive Attack, existing fans or anyone looking for a dirty beat and addictive, soul-thumping genius.
Heligoland
February 8, 2010
Virgin
01. Pray For Rain (vocals Tunde Adebimpe)
02. Babel (vocals Martina Topley-Bird)
03. Splitting The Atom (vocals D, G and Horace Andy)
04. Girl I Love You? (vocals Horace Andy)
05. Psyche (vocals Martina Topley-Bird)
06. Flat Of The Blade (vocals Guy Garvey)
07. Paradise Circus (vocals Hope Sandoval)
08. Rush Minute (vocals D)
09. Saturday Comes Slow (vocals Damon Albarn)
10. Atlas Air (vocals D)
Rating: 9/10
