Massive Attack - Heligoland
Massive Attack - Heligoland
[Virgin, 2010]
It’s been hard for me to get to writing about the new Massive Attack album. To the point where it might not be considered new anymore. It’s extremely good and unfathomable in its beauty and depth.
I have no idea what could be done today to say another word in trip hop without being repetitive. The Bristol Massive Attack did it. Possibly the last word in trip hop as a genre at all - like they ‘opened’ it in the early ’90s, Heligoland can be put into the top lists of 2010, no matter who releases what after this. Lots of collaborations - with old acquaintances like Horace Andy and Martina Topley-Bird, whose vocals have virtually melted into the Bristol sound. Also, mellow Damon Albarn on “Saturday Come Slow,” Guy Garvey of Elbow on “Flat Of The Blade.” TV On The Radio’s lead singer, Tunde Adebimpe, on the opening shamanic “Pray for Rain.” A specifically magical “Paradise Circus” with Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star - the voice of a 20 year old, while in fact she’s twice as old… Clapping that makes you try to clap along. A sheer beauty of “Psyche” with Martina gets another few inches deeper in your heart…
The chemical formula of Heligoland is not easy to understand, the success of the album can’t be broken down into collaborations, or Daddy G reappearing on the staff, or an intervention of some special muse. The music, whatever caused it, is on the edge of heaven and hell. Slight, piercing and very, very affecting, sending shivers down your spine and making your head spin.
Read & Listen:
Massive Attack on Myspace
Massive Attack official site
Paradise Circus film
Paradise Circus - Gui Boratto Remix
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