Monday, March 17, 2003

New Massive Attack Album: 100th Window

Just picked this up this weekend -- freakin brilliant. Different than Mezzanine, not quite as dark or angst-ridden (or a masterpiece), but amazing. From allmusic.com:
For better or worse, 100th Window has the same crushingly oppressive productions, dark, spiralling bass lines, and pile-driving beats instantly familiar to fans of Mezzanine. Fortunately, it also has the same depth and point-perfect attention to detail, making for fascinating listening no matter whether the focus is the songs, the effects, or even the percussion lines. Jamaican crooner Horace Andy is back for a pair of tracks ("Everywhen," "Name Taken") that nearly equal his features on the last record, while Sinéad OConnor makes her debut with three vocal features. Unlike Liz Fraser or Tracey Thorn (two Massive Attack muses from the past), OConnors voice lacks resonance and doesnt reward the close inspection that a Massive Attack production demands. Still, her songwriting is far superior and the slight quaver in her voice adds a much-needed personality to these songs. "A Prayer for England" is a political protest that aligns itself perfectly with the group that coined its name as a satirical nod to military aggression. Another feature for OConnor, "What Your Soul Sings," is the only song here that compares to the best Massive Attack has to offer, beginning with a harsh, claustrophobic atmosphere, but soon blossoming like a flower into a beautiful song led by OConnors tremulous vocals.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=10:42:23|AM&sql=Atj90s30wa3rg

Popular Posts

Like us on Facebook