Review Summary: Flickering, I roam.
The eve of 1998 found Massive Attack in a troubled time, as the recording of their third album was not only delayed by four months, but it also caused creative differences and growing tensions within the band - due to which founding member Mushroom announced his resignation. However, with all the procrastination, feuding and overproduction, a true beast of a record unfolded, as
Mezzanine's eclectic fusion of electronica, dub, hip-hop and rock resulted in a truly timeless, incredibly accessible masterpiece.
The one-two punch incunabula of
Angel and
Risingson are evidence enough that this album means business. The former track fades in with a calm that's as sinister as it is relaxing, before transforming into a vociferous assault of guitars and torrid bass rhythms, propelled by Horace Andy's menacing but effective vocal delivery. Soon after,
Risingson begins oddly enough with swelling whale moans, before a torrent of bass and an ocean of reverb approach the listener, accompanied by swirls of production chops and splices, as well as 3D's haunting, swooning delivery. Throughout the melodic majesty and auditory chicanery, a blazing sense of urgency and darkness fuels each track, be it the fiery tribal litany
Inertia Creeps or the monstrous garage flavours of the titular track.
The record is a perfect blend of different genres, executed with a rare, genuine sharpness without sounding forced. Musically,
Mezzanine features a departure from the jazz and soul textures of the group's previous efforts, and focuses more on ambient and atmospheric backdrops. As a result, the sonic semblance of the record is blissfully sombre yet captivating, urgent yet languid, allowing the music to expand and envelop the listener. Though the music itself is the vertebrae of the record, the guest performances are almost as essential to the record's enthralling resonance, with star features from Sara Gates on the waterlogged standout
Dissolved Girl, while Cocteau Twins' very own Elizabeth Fraser offers indelible performances on knockout single
Teardrop as well as the sultry highlight
Black Milk, and the penultimate standout
Group Four. Aforementioned reggae guru Horace Andy also extends his talents in the dub-inspired piece
Man Next Door as well as guest vocals on album opener
Angel and the vocal reincarnation of the tranquil
Exchange.
Though
Dummy and
Endtroducing... are considered the sine qua non of trip-hop,
Mezzanine is trip-hop at its most intrepid and innovative. Drawing influences from every genre in the musical spectrum, Del Naja and Co. crafted something out of this world; an insurmountable magnum opus for every generation. Greatest album of the 90's? Doubtful. The bible of trip-hop? Possibly. Something to hear before you die? Oh, hell yes.
Recommended Tracks:
Dissolved Girl
Black Milk
Group Four
Teardrop
Angel
