"Unfinished Sympathy" is, for me, their most affecting song. After more than a decade of listening to it, it never seems to get old. And that's quite a feat. For me, the recent track off their best of, "Live With Me", is similarly affecting. As far as albums go, I'd agree that "Mezzanine" is their most accomplished work. I do enjoy all of their albums immensely, though, even the much maligned solo effort by Del Naja, "1ooth Window".

I have heard that there will be a collaboration with Tom Waits on the new album which, if true, would be a melding two of my favourite artists/bands.

100th window is not a solo album. It may well as be but it was mainly Del Naja but Neil Davidge had a huge input on the album. There are some moments of great quality though. Everywhen is a fantastic track.

Mezzanine is a killer album, and so's Blue Lines (by my reckoning). My favourite between those two changes on pretty much a daily basis. Top bunch, can't wait for the new album (especially if Tom Waits is gonna pop up on it).

Neil Davidge was the co-producer, along with Del Naja. In terms of the core band, collective, or however they would be designated, by which I mean the public face of Massive Attack, originally Del Naja, Vowles and Marshall, Del Naja is the only one who appears on "100th window".

It might be argued that Del Naja has always been the brains behind Massive Attack, in which case Massive Attack is essentially Del Naja, other than the various producers he has worked with over the years, but the band's public image was originally formed by the three of them (and, of course, "guest vocalists" like Shara Nelson on "Unfinished Sympathy" and "Safe From Harm" and Tracey Thorn on "Protection").

I almost forgot that Tricky was involved with Blue Lines and Protection, early on in Massive Attack's career.

Massive Attack have always worked as a collective to be fair.

To me, Del Naja, although obviously brilliant at what he does, comes across as a rather cold and alienting figure. I think that the warmth of Blue Lines and Protection were especially helped by the presence of Vowles and Marshall. "Mezzanine", on which Del Naja's influence is pronounced, is much darker than the previous albums (although it is universally acclaimed, and rightly so). "100th Window" is positively icy, and moves away decisively away from Massive Attack's early hip-hop influences. It is, in my opinion, rather unwelcoming, which I take to be a sign of the absence of the other two core members. (It is still better than most other music out there, though.)

I have afriend who knows him and I won't elaborate but sounds familiar!

Is there any news circulating with regard to the new album, which is (apparently) scheduled for release in June/July, further delays notwithstanding?

Love massive attack.
Mezzanine is my favourite, bit tunes like Unfinished Sympathy and Safe from Harm really stand out on Blue Lines

I've heard nothing on the new album front unfortunately. A Tom waits collaboration would be amazin though!

A Tom Waits collaboration would be immense. David Bowie and Mike Patton are being rumoured as guest vocalists for the new album as well. If only eh.

massive attack new album release incoming
 

does this make you excited or nervous?

Pitchfork: Massive Attack Announce New Album

personally, I am excited.

No idea who some of those vocal contributors are, but I'm excited for this for sure.

09 Saturday Come Slow [ft. Damon Albarn]
^ I can picture that being pretty amazing.

Edit: Ugh, Feb 9th. :(

yea, "incoming" is a little misleading, should have put Feb 9th on the title.

Mezzanine with headphones = awawawawawawwwwwwwwwwwwww

Hmmm, I swear Iv heard of them but I can't remember where from.

Will come back to this later

Probably from their song "Teadrop". It's the theme song to a pretty popular TV show (House). Either that or "Unfinished Sympathy".

I was lying in bed late last night listening to it with headphones, it felt like i was tripping :D

Mezzanine is one of the most beautiful albums ever made

I've noticed that Angel is used in a lot of commercials as well, typically car commercials.

Ha, I know the feeling! :D The first song I listened to when I got my new headset was "Risingson", it's the ultimate seal of approval.

favourite massive attack tune??

mines gotta be unfinished sympathy!!

bait I know but brilliant nonetheless

Was Heligoland any good?

Heligoland was good enough but still fell short of their classic 90's material. There's a few great moments on it alright but then again there's a few tracks that fail to hold my attention, and the album doesn't seem to get going until the 4th track. It's worth checking out but i've never really warmed up to it.

I actually thought the album kicked off with an amazing opener. It started the album off on a really good note, but teetered off until around the 4th song as you said. I knew it wouldn't match up, but it's still a pretty good album. Especially with some good headphones.

Interesting. I hear that after Blue Lines and Mezzanine, 100th Window is the next place I should go.

Yeah, it is.

Haven't read back into the thread yet, but in a Massive Attack thread I'm surely not reinventing the wheel when I say Mezzanine makes me a happy boy...

...favourite MA song isn't from that album though. Protection (the song) holds a very special place in my heart.

I'm pretty sure these guys are Trip-Hop, but electronic would be the right forum, they're very good so.. I wouldn't hate wherever they were.

Seeing Massive Attack in Chicago later this month!!!! Martina Topley Bird is opening...it's gonna be epic.

Some days I really enjoy Massive Attack. I should say most days. However, every once in awhile I find them hard to stomach, mostly on tracks like Teardrops.

She was great on Maxinquaye; been meaning to get into her solo stuff.

While female vocals in trip-hop are usually what I go for, I know what you mean. Just today actually, I couldn't bear to listen to "Teardrops" in full for whatever reason, and Mezzanine is one of my favorite albums so you'd think such a thing wouldn't be a problem. The genre/band requires a really specific mood, I suppose.

Saw Massive Attack in Paris @ Rock en Seine a couple of weeks ago. Really good show from what I can remember, which isn't that much as the bassline to Safe from Harm made me, to use the term lightly, whitey! And I spent the last 1/3 of the gig sitting on the floor!

Faves by Massive Attack would have to be Teardrop (aka the theme song for House MD) or Inertia Creeps.

I have played Mezzanine more than most of the cds I own and I own over 1000 :yeah:

Mezzanine has been in regular rotation for me too. What's funny is that way back when it came out, I never realized that it was Liz Fraser singing Teardrop although I was well-accustomed to the Cocteau Twins' "sound". Context will throw you I guess.

B
* Newbie *

I only have Mezzanine. Love it! Keep meaning to get the much lauded Blue Lines but never got around to it.

Another notable track that I absolutely love is Protection. Tracey Thorn's cold and distant vocals just completely suits their music!

Protection and Mezzanine are great albums. Blue Lines has more of an R&B/soulful feel, but just as moving as the other two. I never really got into 100th Window or the new one, Heligoland. They just don't grab me in an emotional way the way the first three albums do. Although Heligoland's opener, "Pray For Rain," with vocals by TV On the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe, is a great, memorable track.

I saw MA live on the Mezzanine tour at the Hollywood Paladium. I was hoping Liz Cocteau would tour with them, but I believe it was Shara Nelson from Blue Lines who replaced her on that tour. The person who really impressed me most at that show, though, was Horace Andy. He can really sing. It took me some time to develop an appreciation for his reggae-styled vocals, but after seeing him live with MA, I have a new appreciation. ...Not to mention, 3D is one intense, hot little dude. Damn. ...Yeah, I have a thing for intense, hot little dudes.

Does anyone else get annoyed with people who only say they like Massive Attack because of Teardrop?

Well, if they act like they're a huge fan but only know Teardrop, then yes it is annoying/funny. But if they are genuine about it that they only know that one song and are curious to discover more, then more power to them! Personally, I only have Mezz and know a few assorted songs here and there over the years. Of course, I wouldn't call myself a huge fan. I like what I've heard and am curious for more.