Massive Attack have said it themselves that they were influenced by Ultra and it has the sparse dark basslines and guitar that cropped up on Mezzanine which I couldn't' really hear on Protection but I will go back and listen again to see if it predated Ultra

 

I agree with the amazing work that Trent did. I especially love A Warm Place. The thing with Pretty Hate Machine is that I never liked the vocals and the lyrics were sometimes awful.

 

With NIN, the lyrics are really unimportant most of the time, it's the feeling I get from the MUSIC and the production that does it for me, "Ghosts I-IV" is absolutely astounding when you're in the right frame of mind for it.. Although, Trent has written some very good lyrics here and there ("Head Like A Hole" with its condemning of the greed of the Catholic Church and Televangilism, "Hurt" and "Something I Can Never Have" are pretty powerful examples, IMO..).

 

"Ultra" itself is very influenced by Trent's production style, particularly tracks like "Barrel of a Gun" and "No Good". "Home" is very clearly influenced by Massive's early stuff, particularly in the orchestration... I mean, just listen to "Home" and then listen to something like "Unfinished Sympathy"...

 

Listened to Jazz Thieves off Ultra and you can't help but see the similarities with certain sounds on Mezzanine. I can't find similar sounds on Protection. Maybe both were influenced by NIN.

I got this album recently. It's still early days, there is potential for it growing on me, but at the moment, I'm not head over heels in love with it or anything. I do really really like "Girl I Love You" (I'm a sucker for that brass and the melody) and "Paradise Circus". Not mad about the vocals on a few of the songs, like "Pray For Rain" and "Saturday Come Slow", although the music of "Pray For Rain" still makes it pretty great. "Flat of the Blade" sounded strange and uneasy at first but I think it's growing on me slowly but surely. Martina Topley-Bird, who sings on at least 2 songs, has a nice voice as well.

I'm liking this a hell of a lot more than Goldfrapp's current album to be perfectly frank.....

I'm liking this a hell of a lot more than Goldfrapp's current album to be perfectly frank.....

 

I actually got this album and Goldfrapp's new album on the same day and at the moment, I actually like Goldfrapp's album more. I just haven't really connected that much to "Heligoland" yet or something. It's just a tiny bit uneasy or something at the moment. I do like it though.

Down to £5 on Amazon for anyone who hasn't already got it, bargain! It's miles ahead of Goldfrapp imo.

I can't count how many times I've listened to Atlas Air, Girl I Love You and Paradise Circus...

Also I like very much the songs (Babel, Psyche) featuring Martina Topley-Bird (on a side note I've seen MA live in 2008 and Martina was the opening act; lovely girl).

 

Heligoland clearly stands along the best MA albums (Blue Lines, Mezzanine). They also have the gift to gather amazing guests on their albums.

 

 

"Ultra" itself is very influenced by Trent's production style, particularly tracks like "Barrel of a Gun" and "No Good". "Home" is very clearly influenced by Massive's early stuff, particularly in the orchestration... I mean, just listen to "Home" and then listen to something like "Unfinished Sympathy"...

Indeed 'Home' sounds like a Massive Attack production. And I'm a big fan of both bands so I know what I'm saying.

Edited April 1, 201015 yr by alin

I can't count how many times I've listened to Atlas Air, Girl I Love You and Paradise Circus...

Also I like very much the songs (Babel, Psyche) featuring Martina Topley-Bird (on a side note I've seen MA live in 2008 and Martina was the opening act; lovely girl).

 

Heligoland clearly stands along the best MA albums (Blue Lines, Mezzanine). They also have the gift to gather amazing guests on their albums.

 

Indeed 'Home' sounds like a Massive Attack production. And I'm a big fan of both bands so I know what I'm saying.

 

"Atlas Air", "Girl I Love You" and "Paradise Circus" are indeed my 3 favourites on the album as well!

 

I never noticed the "Home" thing before...

 

It's by no means my favourite Massive Attack album. Yet, at least. I just can't get over the amazingness of "Mezzanine" and indeed "100th Window" (underrated)!

The strings at the end of Home sounds similar to those of Unfinished Sympathy. There's a song on New Order's Republic that nicked them too.

 

I think I'll give this another album tonight to see if it has improved.

I think it's possibly their best album..... and that's a strong statement.

 

I can't wait til next week to get my hands on the vinyl, manufactured by the Vinyl Factory - I recommend anyone wanting to add a bit of value to their collections getting one (amazon have it for under £20 for a double ...or triple, can't remember.. vinyl). The Splitting The Atom limited 12" Vinyl Factory made last year is now selling for about £200... not bad for a £17 12".