Massive Attack - 100th Window

With dark shades of dub and songs that stretch with patient grace, 100th Window finds trip-hop legends Massive Attack seeping through your speakers with the same eerie intensity they mined on 1998's revelatory Mezzanine. The burden of high expectations has been a constant for this band since they released the classic Blue Lines in 1991. Under pressure to produce yet another record that changes the playing field of dance music, the collective has turned in a brooding, orchestral work that profits greatly from collaboration. The breathy, distinctive voice of Sinead O'Connor elevates a song like "What Your Soul Sings" into a deeply affecting, candlelit nocturne, while Horace Andy's stylized vocal washes through the string-laden "Name Taken." O'Connor also shines on "A Prayer for England," a remake of "Safe from Harm" off Lines, as her barely contained emotions artfully collide with Window's stark, distorted production. It may not turn the world upside down again, but Massive Attack retains the power to keep you transfixed and blissfully off-balance. --Matthew Cooke Amazon.com

Massive Attack brings irresistable orchestrations

I've seen many divided reviews about this album. People either praised "100th Window" or hated it. However, I still enjoy Massive Attack for their dark, brooding trip-hop beats, and "100th Window" is anything but boring.

It's true that "100th Window" features fewer beats and lacks the electric guitar edginess of "Mezzanine" and the disco/hip-hop styles of "Blue Lines." However, Massive Attack makes up for it in full with gorgeous string orchestrations.

"Special Cases" is one song that really gets me in the mood. I love O'Connor's singing, next to the minor key strings. Even though the lyrics in her other song, "What Your Soul Sings," is a little cheesy ("That tickle in your ear?"), it sounded more interesting than the lyrics to "Teardrop." In fact, this album almost feels like the O'Connor show, if it wasn't for Massive Attack's awesome orchestrations and trip-hop beats.

Massive Attack really hits the spot with the quick trip-hop song "Butterfly Caught," which mixes Middle Eastern samples with an upbeat beat. It's an awesome combination that DJ Shadow should have thought about using, before he did that weird switch to making too many collaborations with rappers.

While the songs on this album, such as "Small Time Shot Away" and "Name Taken," are more subdued, I appreciate that they aren't as intensely moody as they were in the album "Mezzanine." And while "Antistar" does get a little long, the Middle Eastern sounds are beautiful. The whole album feels like an electronic masterpiece, like Cornershop without the goofiness. It's a beautiful album, even if it wasn't like "Blue Lines" or "Mezzanine." I'm looking forward to the next album by Massive Attack. May 6, 2008

I love it

I've been a long time Massive Attack fan and I really like this album! It's moody, and--at times--it sends chills up my spine. I think it's a fine follow-up to Mezzanine. In fact, I'm glad that this album is in a similar vein to Mezzanine because frankly, I listened to Mezzanine so much when if first came out that I'm kind of sick of it--I don't really listen to it much anymore (same thing with Radiohead's Ok Computer! Love the album but I played it far too much). So, for me, I'm very happy with this album. January 3, 2008

Radiohead fan offers 2 cents on a more experimental Massive Attack

I hope that the reviewers who didn't like this CD when they wrote their reviews have since given the release another shot. I liken the Mezzanine-100th Window transition to the OK Computer-Kid A transition. When I first heard Kid A after loving OK Computer, my initial reaction was literally, "Well, that was weird." Flash forward and the next thing I know I'm craving the weird. I just had to let Kid A work into my noodle.

Similarly, I loved and was amazed by Mezzanine and wasn't too sure about 100th Window when I first listened. Now I still love Mezzanine, but when Risingson starts to sound a bit "not new," Futureproof, Everywhen, Butterfly Caught, Small Time Shot Away, and A Prayer for England are there in all their anti-hit greatness.

Recommendation: be alone in the dark and play Small Time Shot Away at a decent volume and just listen to everything that's going on in the song and how exquisitely it all goes together. If that doesn't at least pique/re-new your interest, then you and this CD just weren't meant to be. October 15, 2007

Great album!

This Massive Attack album is outstandingly great. From the photographs in the booklet to the music itself. However, this one features less rap influences that Mezzanine and has more electronica on it. I loved it and if you like trip-hop or are a Massive Attack fan, this is a must-buy. Completely worth the money. June 27, 2007

Massive talent!

This is Massive's best effort yet. Seldom do I give 5 stars, but this one deserves it. I especially love Anistar...and check out the long anticipated change at exactly 4:20 into the song. Brilliant! February 22, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...