Music Review: Blue Lines (1991)

When Massive Attack released their debut album Blue Lines, they brought something different to the table, their album was one of the first to showcase the Trip-Hop genre (Although they are not fond of being called such) Whether Hip-Hop or Electronica (Or a fusion of both) it matters not. It’s still sounds amazing. What you get in the end is an amazing and fresh album.

Track List

“Safe From Harm”- The 3rd Single off of the album, a great opener to a great album. Sharla Nelson’s vocals are amazing here with the group’s rapping, and go perfectly together. The song is mostly about protecting what’s most valuable to oneself and how the world is full of harm.

“One Love”- This is actually not a single but it’s one of the more recognizable songs on the album. The vocals of Horace Andy are perfect with the electronic keyboard that plays throughout the song and the constant dub; it’s also probably one of the strangest love songs ever.

“Blue Lines”- One of the more Hip-Hop influenced songs, it’s another love song but its monotone beat and repetition don’t help it get anywhere.

“Be Thankful For What You Got”- If there was ever a perfect cover of a song, this would be it. A cover of William DeVaughn’s hit song. Massive Attack makes it an amazing cover without making it a carbon copy of the original and keeping it fresh with a Hip-Hop influence and Tony Bryan’s soulful vocals (My Personal favorite song off the album.)

“Five Man Army”- Defintely one of the standouts of the album, the constant use of dub is excellent and there’s also a faint reggae and soul influence. Horace Andy’s and Massive Attack’s vocals are top notch and go amazingly well together.

“Unfinished Sympathy”- 2nd Single off the album and probably the most well known songs on the album, this song received critical acclaim and was even named One of the best songs ever recorded. And boy they were right, from Sharla Nelson’s amazing vocals to the moving strings to the funky jams and hip-hop beats, this IS one of the greatest songs ever recorded.

Robert Del Naja has described the dark atmosphere within the group: "There was always this tension between control and collaboration. Always ... We were just trying to get the job finished ...Everything became thinner and smaller. All that warmth is being spun into a tiny little thread, then that thread just being cut."

“Daydreaming”- 1st Single off the album, and the most electronic song off the album. This is were the album starts to lean more towards a lush and Trip-Hop sound seen in Protection, the song also features some great vocals by Sharla Nelson, Tricky, and the main members of Massive Attack.

“Lately”- The Funkiest song on the album which features vocals from Sharla Nelson. Its obvious dance jam influence is what keeps this song alive. It actually reminded me a lot of “The Pointer Sisters”

“Hymn Of The Big Wheel”- The 4th and final single off the album. Probably one of the most moving songs off the album on the topic of the cycle of life. Featuring the vocals of Horace Andy this is probably one of the greatest endings to a great album.

In the end, Blue Lines was an epic album and an epic debut for Massive Attack.

No questions asked. This is Trip-Hop at its finest, which is why Protection would be met with such disappointment. No matter what genre of music you enjoy, everyone should take a look at Blue Lines.

4/5

Review by Nachos

Best Album of '06

Artist: The Rapture

Album: Pieces Of The People We Love (2006)




It really was my favorite album that came out this year.

(I have other albums that I bought this year but not necessarily were released this year.)

It was a great second album from The Rapture, and the mix of all kinds of genres like Rock, Disco, New Wave, Dance, and Electronica really make this a creative band and Different Band.

Basically, it was something that sounded very different and it sounded amazingly at the same time.

Standout tracks:

"Get Myself Into It" - The First Single off the Album, Most likely their most well known song and for good reason. It starts off with a jazzy saxophone and into some high pitched vocals (which are reminiscent of the young Sting from "The Police".) It's a great tune and very catchy. Good Dance Music and reminds me a lot of the Let's Dance Era Bowie and has alot of disco influence. 4/5

"Pieces Of The People We Love"- The Third Single which will be released this year. (2007 for you people who live under rocks) It's very catchy and a very "funky" song. Although it sounds like a b-side it's actually my favorite track off the album. The funk style reminiscent in the song is what makes it one of the better tracks. 5/5

"Whoo! Alright! Yeah Uh-Huh!" - The Second Single off the album, this song has alot more dance style in it than any other song on the album. It's the most dance able to and is quite catchy (although not as much as The first 2 above) . 4/5

Well there you have it, the Album of the Year.

Expect Some More updates soon!

Music Review: Tears For Fears - The Hurting (1983)

When the 80's were around, some of the greatest albums of all time were released.

Although “The Hurting” may or may not be one of them, this album does display the pioneering force that brought New Wave to the scene. Most of the album consists of Dark, Melancholy songs but at the same time being very catchy and full of the 80’s feel. But don’t let the 80’s feel fool you, it’s a very personal album and sometimes even makes one cringe at the emotion flowing throughout the songs.

Track List

“The Hurting”- a thought provoking and haunting song about the troubles and hurting of one self, this really is the centerpiece of the album, and displays the best of what Tears For Fears could offer up to that point.

“Mad World” – the unexpected staple and 1^st single of the album, mostly the song’s lyrics consist of the thought of how unexpected and mad the world we live in really is. Instrumentally it consists of layers of synth and electronic sound while also having excellent vocals from Curt Smith backing it all up in one great song.

“Pale Shelter” – the 2nd single off the album, Pale Shelter is somewhat a love song but it’s more directed towards the parents rather than the love interest and how acceptance is impossible, definitely one of the album’s best tracks.

“Ideas as Opiates” – an extremely sparse track that could probably be considered experimental jazz, if that even exists.

“Memories Fade” – an impressive song with heart felt lyrics, and a jazzy synth-drenched soul feel to it. The saxophone throughout the song is amazingly arranged and sounds beautifully.

“Suffer The Children” – Tears For Fears’ first single and song ever recorded, and it definitely shows instrumentally. Lyrically the song is about the innocence of a child and how parents don’t give them all that they need. Very emotional and understanding.

“Watch Me Bleed” – Starts off nicely but what really kills this song is the fact that most of the song just consists of feeling sorry for one self and the constant lyric “Watch me Bleed, Bleed Forever” really ruin it.

“Change” – the 4^th and finale single off the album, Nothing really special here and personally I don’t think this song deserved the single status and should have went to other contenders like “The Hurting” or “Memories Fade”.

“The Prisoner” – The darkest and shortest song of the album, (if It can even be called a song) the arrangements in the song are like those of a horror theme, and the lyrics are almost whispered, but surprisingly the atmosphere is clearly defined.

“Start Of the Breakdown” – The Closing track to the album is a mellow and slow song with a simple piano riff playing in the background like a drone. But what really make this track are Roland's vocals, seemly distraught the album ends with a breakdown.

As a result, The Hurting is an amazing album with little flaws, although by today’s standards it may sound dated, it still offers amazing songs even after the test of time.

8.5/10

Sup Sons

Well this is the first post for the multimedia critic and reviewing blog. "Lost And Found" Expect Some Updates Soon.