Massive Attack album reviews

Heligoland

'Heligoland' is only the fifth studio album in just under 20 years from Bristol duo Massive Attack and it features 3 tracks from their 2009 EP Splitting The Atom ('Splitting the Atom', 'Pray for Rain' and 'Psyche') as well as 7 additional tracks 'Babel', 'Girl I Love You', 'Flat Of The Blade', 'Paradise Circus', 'Rush Minute', 'Saturday Come Slow' and 'Atlas Air'.

Massive Attack released their debut album 'Blue Lines' in 1991 to rave reviews winning the Music of the Millennium in 1998 and spawning the hit singles 'Unfinished Sympathy' and 'Safe from Harm'. In 1998 the band's third album 'Mezzanine' give them their first chart topper and they equaled the same position 5 years later with their fourth long player '100th Window'

As usual for a Massive Attack album, Heligoland features a host of special guest singers and performers including Gus Garvey (Elbow), Damon Albarn (Gorrilaz, Blur) and Tunde Adebimpe (TV on the Radio). Despite the host of stars and seven years in the making early reviews of the album are only moderate. The Observer gives it 3 out of 5 stars calling it a "characterless album" but also says "three stunning numbers that compare with anything in their back catalogue". Sputnik Music say that "despite its power and consistency, is probably doomed to a lukewarm reception, mostly because it's not as good as Protection or Mezzanine".

Collected [10/10]

Danny the Dog Soundtrack [8/10]

100th Window [9/10]

Blue Lines [9/10]