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Massive Attack


Formed: 1988
Location: Bristol, England
Genre: Trip Hop
Years Active: 1988 -
Meaning of the Name: Bristol slang for a powerful set, or music performance.
Core Members: 3D, Daddy G, Mushroom
Way of Working: Collaborative
Associated: Wild Bunch, Tricky

Essential Releases

Massive Attack - Blue Lines

Blue Lines (1991)

Introduced the world to a brand-new genre of music.

Massive Attack - Protection

Protection (1994)

More intimate and collaborative. Quieter.

Massive Attack - Mezzanine

Mezzanine (1998)

Dark, pulsating rhythms haunt the night.


Originators of trip hop, Massive Attack fearlessly entered uncharted waters with their fusion of reggae, hip hop, dub, soul, and punk in the late-'80s, inspiring a legion of imitators from around the world. The term itself, 'trip hop,' is disliked by the band, who label it a 'stupid name' in a similar way to how Motörhead persistently refused to accept they made heavy metal. Call it what you will.

More importantly, the music was a reflection of the multi-cultural melting pot of inner-city Bristol, a place where people of all different races combined their influences with Jamaican soundsystem culture in "all-genre, all-night" parties put on by Massive Attack's pre-cursor, The Wild Bunch.

Initially, critics didn't know what to make of 1991's groundbreaking Blue Lines; consequently, the record didn't rank on the year-end lists of major publications. A broader system of specialist magazines, radio DJs, and club nights didn't yet exist to promote the genre. However, decades later, outlets like Rolling Stone placed the album as their 215th greatest of all time, in late recognition of Massive Attack's, at times, deeply moving work.

Songs like 'Unfinished Sympathy', with its swirling strings, and 'Safe From Harm' were placed on constant rotation by music channels because of their emotional core that resonated with fans. Inspired by the film Taxi Driver, the latter is about a mother determined to protect her children. Being able to channel such a hardwired impulse proved the group's appeal came from more than innovation alone.

'Safe From Harm' does this by blending ominous minor keys that indicate threat, a driving bassline suggesting forward motion, and disorienting syncopated rhythms with the vocal's unshakeable melody. The overall effect encapsulates how a mother's love can suddenly become fury in the face of danger: "If you hurt what's mine, I'll sure as hell retaliate."

Additionally, Massive Attack provided a distinctive sound you couldn't get elsewhere. Before Blue Lines, no other artist captured the same nocturnal, sophisticated downtempo that overlooked music with a bird's eye view. The group effectively synthesised various elements of different genres into meditative sampling, live instruments, nonchalant rapping, and soulful song. Such was their commitment, DJ Mushroom famously sold his car, a Mitsubishi Shogun, to pay for the 40-piece string section that gave 'Unfinished Sympathy' its unique character.

The group's 'been there, done that' approach was a perfect fit for the cynicism of the '90s. While other musicians cavorted for the cameras, Massive Attack were laid-back, the core members often appearing in the background of their videos, or not at all, as in 'Teardrop'. It was this revolutionary mix of innovation, cool, and emotional depth that allowed them to stay ahead of their competitors in the genre they created. The decade wouldn't have sounded the same without them.


Skills

*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.

Emotional Impact

i Does it connect with the heart? What does it make you feel and how much of it?
90

Mental Impact

i Does it connect with the head? Social issues, interesting observations, clever lyrics, similies etc.
60

Originality

i Are they unique? Did they break new ground, use new techniques or create new genres.
100

Artistry

i Using creativity and imagination to present themselves in a unique way. Example, Wu-Tang Clan as Shaolin and Marvel characters etc.
60

Authenticity

i Do they really mean what they say? Is it autobiographical, personal?
40

Live

i Stage presence, working the crowd, performance. Miming, forgetting lyrics reduce this.
85

Production

i Studio techniques. More important for electronic music including hip hop.
100

Musicianship

i Their ability to play individually and as a group. Technical skills. DJing. Freestyling for hip hop.
65

Rapping

i Technical attributes.
65

Songwriting

i Storytelling. Cohesive themes. Is the song about something? Stan by Eminem is an example of excellent songwriting.
85

Danceability

i Does it make you move? Do you tap your foot, nod your head or move your whole body?
70

Fun

i Is listening to it a good time? Are the lyrics funny? Depressing themes lowers value.
40

Consistency

i Have they put out good music across their careers. Two good albums and 5 band ones will reduce this value.
75

Range

i Fast, slow, ballads, party jams. Do they go beyond their own genre?
70

Cool

i Laid-back, icy detachment, unflustered.
90

Charisma

i Factors include appearance, force of personality. Elvis making people faint etc.
40


Commercial & Critical Success

Awards >>>

Certifications >>>

  • Blue Lines: Platinum in UK; Gold in France
  • Protection: Platinum in UK; Gold in France
  • Mezzanine: Platinum in UK, Australia; Gold in Canada, France, Germany
  • 100th Window: Gold in UK, Canada, Australia
  • Heligoland: Gold in UK, France

Charts >>>

  • Protection: #4 in UK
  • Mezzanine: #1 in the UK, Australia; #3 in France, Germany
  • 100th Window: #1 in UK, France; #3 in Germany; #4 in Australia
  • Heligoland: #6 in UK

Critics >>>

  • NME: Mezzanine - 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: #215
  • Pitchfork: Blue Lines - Top 100 Albums of the 1990s: #85
  • Rolling Stone: Blue Lines - 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2020): #241
  • Rolling Stone: Mezzanine - 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2020): #383
  • Rolling Stone: Protection - 100 Best Albums of the 1990s: #51

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