Massive Attack
Heligoland
Rating: 3.0/5.0
Label: Virgin
Massive Attack doesn't rush itself. In its two decades together, the band (originally a trio, now a duo) has released only five albums, not including remixes and soundtracks. Heligoland, named after a German archipelago, is their first studio album since 2003's 100th Window, a disappointing effort that, despite fine guest vocals by Sinead O'Connor, found them treading water. Emerging from the same Bristol scene that spawned Portishead and Tricky (who was featured on their first two albums), Massive Attack created a trio of highly influential albums in the '90s. They were saddled with the unfortunate "trip-hop" label, but their wide range of styles, production methods and use of guest vocalists, including Tracey Thorn and Elizabeth Fraser, transcended any genre label. They were a genre unto themselves, combining elements from hip-hop, dub, rock, funk, soul and electropop that, for better or worse, paved the way for one-hit wonders like Sneaker Pimps, endless chill compilations and the electronica boom of the late '90s. Their approach of focusing on music and production, remaining semi-anonymous and divvying out lead vocals became de rigueur for electronic acts like the Chemical Brothers and Basement Jaxx. All this is to say that their early work casts a long shadow and they have much more competition in 2010, some of which they inspired.
Perhaps in an effort to revive themselves, they have enlisted even more supporting personnel than usual, including TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe, Damon Albarn, Martina Topley-Bird, Hope Sandoval and long-time collaborator Horace Andy. The opening song, "Pray for Rain," which appeared last year on an EP of the same name, features Adebimpe, whose own band's layered sound owes something to Massive Attack. With its booming, rolling drums, stately piano and Adebimpe's warm, soulful vocals, it's a reminder of what Massive Attack does well: densely produced, slightly paranoid music that is strong on noir-ish atmosphere and dynamics. Martina Topley-Bird, whose stoned, sensual vocals made Tricky's debut so memorable, sings on two songs, "Babel," which has an industrial landscape feel, as well as on the bright, cool, electronic "Psyche." Both songs recall younger artists like Broadcast and Burial or any number of Warp artists. Former Mazzy Star singer Sandoval takes the lead on "Paradise Circus," and her hazy, slumbering vocals fit well with the spare, spooky music.
While both Topley-Bird and Sandoval are distinctive singers who turn in good performances, the inclusion of two artists associated more with the '90s does give Heligoland a bit of a retro mood at times, which isn't bad, but it lacks the cutting edge of their best work. They do seem to be repeating themselves in places. "Girl I Love You," with Horace Andy on vocals, returns to the deep, heavy rhythms and dark moods of Mezzanine, but isn't quite as compelling as anything on that album. The downside of all the guests is that songs don't really cohere as an album, lacking flow and momentum. All the different singers (3D takes the lead on only two of the 10 songs) make it feel more like a singles compilation and you find yourself evaluating it singer by singer rather than as a whole; Adebimpe and Topley-Bird's contributions are solid, Damon Albarn's and Elbow's Guy Garvey's are slight. None of the singers feel gimmicky, exactly, but it makes it difficult to establish a consistent tone or feel. While most of the songs are well-produced, there's no standout like "Teardrop" or "Protection." It's a modest return to form for a highly influential, if somewhat overlooked band whose best years may be behind them.
by Lukas Sherman
