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MASSIVE ATTACK - BLUE LINES
Massive
Attack released Blue Lines in 1991, it would be the first of three albums
released in the decade and all were classics. Blue Lines in the best of
them though because it is revolutionary and would influence others (ie.
Moby, Chemical Brothers, The Streets). This was actually the beginning of
Trip  Hop,
something latter on that would be readapted by American black artists and
be called Hip Hop. The rap songs are performed by Horace Andy, Tricky,
Robert Del Naja, Grant Marshall & Tony Brian. Whilst the soul songs
were performed by Shara Nelson. Not forgetting Mikey General's background
vocals!!!
Blue Lines begins with the sutile Safe From Harm, before going into rap
mode in One Love & Blue Lines. Be Thankful for what you've got is
sutile soul, whilst Five Man army is another soulful rap tune. Unfinished
Sympathy is probably one of the most well known Massive Attack tunes as it
was the only single released from the album. Daydreaming is another clever
rap tune, whilst Lately is another classic soul tune. The album ends with
Hymn of the Black Wheel another soul tune but not sung by Shara Nelson,
instead sung brilliantly by Horace Andy!!!
Blue Lines was the beginning of what would be one of the most influencial
groups of the 1990's. Actually for just this release they renamed
themselves Massive because the album was released at the same time as the
Gulf War and the record company thought it would be too risky to be called
Massive Attack at that time. Although popular in the UK they would claim
proper world wide commercial aclaim with their 1994 release Protection,
and would continue their popularity with the 1998 smash it release
Mezzanine. But Blue Lines still remains a bench mark not only for Massive
Attack but all Trip Hop, Hip Hop, and electronic Pop acts. Great stuff
indeed!!!!
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