Massive Attack's sophomore effort could never be as stunning as Blue Lines, and a slight drop in production and songwriting quality made the comparisons easy. Still, from the first two songs Protection sounds worthy of their debut. The opening title track is pure excellence, with melancholy keyboards, throbbing acid lines, and fragmented beats perfectly complementing the transcendent vocals of Tracey Thorn (an inspired choice to replace the departed Shara Nelson as their muse). Tricky, another soon-to-be-solo performer, makes his breakout on this record, with blunted performances on "Karmacoma," another highlight, as well as "Eurochild." But even though the production is just as intriguing as on Blue Lines, there's a bit lacking here -- Massive Attack doesn't summon quite the emotional power they did previously. Guest Craig Armstrong's piano work on the aimless tracks "Weather Storm" and "Heat Miser" leans uncomfortably close to Muzak, and his arrangement and conducting for "Sly" isn't much better (vocals by Nicolette save the track somewhat). Though it's still miles ahead of the growing raft of rip-hop making the rounds in the mid-'90s, Protection is rather a disappointment.
The title track from Massive Attack's second full-length is immaculately delivered by the then three-headed monster of Andrew Vowles, Robert Del Naja, and Grantley Marshall. Stated simply, the tune is a convincing argument for the emotional resonance possible in electronic music"Protection" takes its time, chugging along to near the 8-minute mark with a delicate precision. Songbird Tracey Thor...
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It's nice and chilly in Tampa Bay, but Tracey Thorn's warm and soothing voice is keeping me toasty-toasty.More Tracey with Massive Attack circa 1995's Batman Forever OMPST.The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game...And from Everything But The Girl's ??Amplified Heart??: the impassioned I Don't Understand Anything.[She's got a solo album set for a February 2007 release on Virgin Records.]
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The title track from Massive Attack's second full-length is immaculately delivered by the then three-headed monster of Andrew Vowles, Robert Del Naja, and Grantley Marshall. Stated simply, the tune is a convincing argument for the emotional resonance possible in electronic music"Protection" takes its time, chugging along to near the 8-minute mark with a delicate precision. Songbird Tracey Thor...
More >
It's nice and chilly in Tampa Bay, but Tracey Thorn's warm and soothing voice is keeping me toasty-toasty.More Tracey with Massive Attack circa 1995's Batman Forever OMPST.The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game...And from Everything But The Girl's ??Amplified Heart??: the impassioned I Don't Understand Anything.[She's got a solo album set for a February 2007 release on Virgin Records.]
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I was living in Santa Barbara...I walked into a music store..this was playing...it has been LOVE ever since...her voice touches me...like a soft warm caress on the skin.....yeah its like that
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This album is better than sex for me. Maybe it is Aural Sex. I absolutely love the feel of it. When I get that trip hop craving it hits the spot. When I am trying to turn friends onto the genre I start them out with this.
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 "Protection")
