Massive Attack "Heligoland" 8/10

So lets try a music review shall we? Music is a passion of mine, I love all genres. However, when you are as passionate about a subject like this as I am, its hard to be critical. So the music reviews will most likely be suggestions rather than critical reviews... Plus I'm not a professional and don't receive promotional copies of albums for free so its limited to what I can afford to buy myself. That being said.....

Massive Attack "Heligoland" 8/10

This is massive attack's first album since 2003's "100th window". Massive attack, if you don't already know, are one of the bands that pioneered the trip-hop movement. Trip-hop uses much of the same elements as hip-hop and rap/r&b and slows them down, and makes them "trippy" if you will. This slower beat, and odd sounds, make for a much deeper, sometimes creepy sound. Massive Attack are masters at layering sounds and generally, you never can quite absorb one of their albums on the first try. "Heligoland" is no different. Each song is a sexy, slow burner, full of tension, suspense, and foreboding, that builds to an inevitable, albeit mild, climax. These songs can take some getting used to if you're new to the genre. But Massive Attack have somewhat gone back to their roots on this album without sounding dated, or like they're recycling their old tricks. "Girl I love You" is possibly the best song on the album, with powerful emotive vocals that definitely affect you in ways few singers can. Horace Andy provides the vocals for this song, as he has on several other Massive Attack albums.

I think people are overly critical of Massive Attack because of how groundbreaking and original they were in the early 90's. Their music is still heads and shoulders above most of their peers. The only band I can think of that may have trumped them as of late would be TV on the Radio.

"Heligoland" is no step forward, but is definitely not a step back. Its a great album that just takes a few listens to absorb, but once you do, you'll be in for a real treat. Eight out of Ten.