Heligoland
Trip-hop legends return from the wilderness and find form
Francis Jones, 11 Feb 2010
Seven years after the painfully disappointing 100th Window, Massive Attack return with new studio album. Last October’s Splitting The Atom EP was encouraging, and I am here to announce that this fifth long player makes good on that promise. Throughout, the Bristolians combine crackling electronica, hip-hop beats and a sense of almost classical grandeur to create an intoxicating and unquestionably bitching brew.
Not only are Daddy G and 3D back in devastating tandem, but the album is graced by a complement of guest singers. Elbow’s Guy Garvey (‘Flat Of The Blade’), trip-hop stalwart Martina Topley-Bird (‘Babel’) and Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval (‘Paradise Circus’) are perfectly cast – as weary, sultry and celestial respectively. Then there’s Damon Albarn’s input. He’s here, there and everywhere, playing guitar one minute, keys the next and then oozing his London-smog vocals over ‘Saturday Come Slow’, as Portishead’s Adrian Utley chimes in on guitar. It’s an attention-grabbing turn. That said, 3D has kept back some of the best numbers for himself. Check out the malevolent sturm und drang of ‘Rush Minute’ and brooding finale ‘Atlas Air’.
Those who thought Massive Attack had blown their wad that first glorious glut of albums – Blue Lines, Mezzanine and Protection – will rejoice to know they’ve still got ample reserves of talent to draw on and that Heligoland is deserving of a place in the exalted company of its predecessors.
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