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In these bleak, troubled times, I find music can be the perfect
antidote. A remedy or an escape, if you like, from the constant
barrage of bad news that seems to envelope us.
One album that's become something of a release of late is the latest
collection from the Bristol based hip hop collective that is Massive
Attack.
I don't know if there's any particular significance or meaning behind
the title, '100th Window', but it's good just to have them
back and - more important - sounding as forceful as ever.
| "It's
kinda ironic that around the release of their debut, Massive
Attack were forced to shorten their name in an attempt to secure
radio play because of the Gulf War..." |
I
say good to have THEM back but this time round it's mostly the labour
of 3D aka Robert Del Naja that fuels the collection as associate
Daddy G has taken time out to raise a family.
'Window'
is an expansive, atmospheric-sounding album where fat beats mingle
with distinctive voices and shimmering strings.
mean
and moody
A
slow burner f'r sure but one that gets better and better with every
listen. But then again I've always found that about Massive Attack,
stretching all the way back to their 1991 debut 'Blue Lines'.
Just to digress for a moment though, wasn't 1991 one helluva great
year for albums? 'Nevermind', 'Bandwagonesque' and
'Screamadelica' being just a few that were unleashed in that
eventful year. Aaah memories!
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And
then there was one...the new album is largely the work of
founder member 3D aka Robert Del Naja
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Once
again blending elements of rap, hip hop and reggae, the standout
moments on 'Window' include the mean and moody opener 'Future Proof'
as well as the two collaborations with Sinead O'Connor, 'Special
Cases' and 'A Prayer For England'.
kinda ironic
For
me it's an album that seems to reflect the mood of the times we
find ourselves in. Dark, sombre and powerfully emotional.
And
I guess it's kinda ironic that around the release of their debut
album all those years ago, Massive Attack were forced to shorten
their name to Massive in an attempt to secure radio play because
of the Gulf War and the fears of paranoid programming peeps.
Well,
here we go again - sadly - and we've got a new Massive Attack album
to immerse and lose ourselves in. Massive indeed!
 listen:
hear
Massive Attack's "Unfinished Sympathy" from their debut
album
add
your opinion
email me direct at: yourlondon@bbc.co.uk
more
music
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this week
music out this week: choice cuts
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