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Rating:
THE REVIEW
Vodka at 8.90 euros, ashtrays filled with cigarettes, tight jackets and baggy trousers.
Lying dead on the couch, after the fourth-rate unz-unz moments killed our weak legs, our neurons and our ears accustomed to entirely different rhythms. Small moments for post-party radical-chic where you flirt and love to show off.
"Heligoland" would be the perfect soundtrack for it.
Artificial and eternal, rich in sensationalism and sonic frills, it suffers from the lack of avant-garde spontaneity that the Massive managed to convey from the beginning, reaching the admirable "100th Window". "Heligoland" is a proverbial swan song of good taste, uncovered from any logic, surviving thanks to the trendy tastes of wonky rhythms and sensational motifs.
Seven years have passed and that disturbing nostalgia and bulimia for listening to a new record gem from one of the most influential groups on the trip-hop scene, but not only, turns into discomfort. Not the discomfort conveyed by that masterpiece "Mezzanine", suffocated by that sense of elegant dirt destined to rape the soul.
"Heligoland" suffers inside, but does not give up on being pretentious. Soft, cool, with a few moments of light, but absolutely lacking in verve and very boring. Like a conversation that leads nowhere and concludes with "what nice weather today". Perfect for a post-party that suddenly turns into a reunion of fake alternates. And while waiting for a return less trendy and more fierce, I let myself be massacred by the whispering power of "Protection".
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Summary by Bot
The review of Massive Attack's Heligoland highlights its stylish, trendy sound that fits well as a post-party soundtrack but criticizes its lack of avant-garde innovation and emotional depth. Compared to the band's earlier masterpieces like Mezzanine and 100th Window, Heligoland is seen as safe, pretentious, and ultimately boring. The album provides some soft moments but fails to capture the fierce energy fans hope for.Tracklist Videos
Massive Attack
Bristol-based music group formed in 1988, widely credited as pioneers of trip-hop; original core members include Robert '3D' Del Naja, Grant 'Daddy G' Marshall and Andrew 'Mushroom' Vowles.33 Reviews
Other reviews
By synth-charmer
"Heligoland is a complete and complex album, with an impressive variety of sounds."
"Among all the albums created by the Bristol group, Heligoland is the one with the most rock-oriented sounds."
By Grafton
Yes, because when the puzzle pieces finally fall into place, 'Heligoland' reveals what it truly is: another great album by Massive Attack.
That sound gets under your skin... that choir of voices and sounds so unequal but that, on reflection, turns out to be just right.
