Blue Lines - Massive Attack

'Blue Lines' is regarded as one of the classic albums of the 1990's. Not easy to catergorise, it combines a vast array of musical styles from hip-hop beats to classical violins. Massive Attack's first album was released to wide critical acclaim in 1991, although commercially it has failed to ever reach the Top 10. Interestingly, it has continued to sell consistently highly since their second album was released in 1995. The first release from the album was 'Unfinished Sympathy'. Like the album, this also failed to reach the Top 10, and only hit #13. Despite this relatively modest success, it is considered a timeless piece of music, ...

When a music item already has several good reviews I tend not to add to them, as there's only so much praise you can read for a single album. However I had to make an exception for this one, as none of the existing reviews quite manage to sum up what this album means to me. This is one of my personal desert island discs - out of a huge collection of music, one of the albums I could say I would save from the proverbial fire without thinking about it. Massive Attack spawned many imitators - some very accomplished - but this is perhaps the most complete dance based album I've ever heard. Unlike the other reviews on this album, I personally find ...

Debut album from seminal Bristol “Trip Hop” band. Pioneered the Bristol sound for the likes of Portishead and Tricky.(Who appears here as the tricky kid) From the first moment of the bass cutting in you can tell this record oozes class. “Safe from harm” rumbles along, a dark song with Shara Nelson’s vocals intertwined with those from the group members. The obvious comparisons on this whole album are that of hip-hop, but slightly different. It has a faster beat, but with a more British feel, not one of the West Coast of America. You can almost feel the rain and oppressive atmosphere it was recorded in. The next song ...