Track Listing

1. Protection
2. Karmacoma
3. Three
4. Weather Storm
5. Spying Glass
6. Better Things
7. Eurochild
8. Sly
9. Heat Miser
10. Light My Fire [Live]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15110 in Music
• Brand: Massive
• Published on: 1994
• Released on: 1995-01-24
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
Bristol's Massive Attack released a classic with their first album, Blue Lines, but only those who were paying careful attention noticed; soon, they were overshadowed by the likes of Tricky and Portishead, who were colleagues. But not so after the release of Protection, which sported a massive hit and was just as critically acclaimed as their first album. (The hit was the title track, for which Everything but the Girl's Tracy Thorn lent her divine pipes--a move that made the act's name, and also presaged EBTG's move to the dance floor.) Eschewing the showmanship of their scene mates, Massive prefer subtler soundscapes and using a diverse range of vocalists (including Horace Andy, Nicolette, and Tricky) who give them a number of flavors and moods with which to work. Protection is an understated album with a rich palette; it reveals more of itself on repeated listens, growing better--and deeper--each time. --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews

Sophomore Jinx?
This album is often derided as the only misstep in the distinguished career of Massive Attack. True, it is not as immediate as "Blue Lines" or as coherent as "Mezzanine", but "Protection" has an allure all its own. That the songs don't seem to fit together is part of the album's charm and appeal. Tracy Thorn kicks off the festivities with the epic title track, giving voice to one of the most poignant and evocative love (or is it anti-love) songs ever recorded. As is always the case with MA, the production is stellar and a harbinger of things to come (Thorn also turns up on the pleasant, but bland "Better Things"). 3-D and a pre-solo career Tricky share rapping duties on the harrowing "Karmacoma", a stark, head nodding blend of rap and reggae. Billie Holliday sound alike, Nicolette takes over vocals on "Three", seamlessly navigating the song's watery groove. Scottish composer/producer Craig Armstrong makes the first of three appearances on this album with "Weather Storm". It's not MA's strongest track, but it succeeds in creating a late night, quiet storm vibe. Elsewhere, Armstrong, conducts the strings on the amazing "Sly" (a Jungian tale sung with appropriate mysticism and mystery by Nicolette); and tickles the ivories on the new agish "Heat Miser". Tricky and 3-D return to the mic on the sleek, city song "Eurochild". MA regular Horace Andy appears on the sinewy "Spying Glass" (a reworking of his own tune "Spy Glass"), and the album closing live cover of the Doors' "Light My Fire". In both instances, his vocal stylings are a perfect compliment to MA's reggae-oriented dance jams. Following up a masterpiece like "Blue Lines" was always going to be tricky (no pun intended); but with the all-over-the-map "Protection", MA managed to move forward without sacrificing any of their originality or spirit.

The best
I love Mezzanine, but for sheer range of emotions, music, etc, Protection beats it hands down.

What Protection lacks in the dark, macabre sound of Mezzanine, it makes up for with darkly mellow tracks like Protection and Three, evil grooves like Eurochild, and the unbelievable instrumental Weather Storm (my absolute favorite track of theirs).

There are a few weak moments on the CD. The live version of Light My Fire is to be avoided (fortunately, it is the last track), and Spying Glass doesn't really do it for me.

Otherwise, this is a brilliant album with a vast range of sounds. Highly recommended for fans of Massive Attack, Tricky, etc...

great hypnotic follow-up to 'blue lines'
wow. Wow. WOW.

i totally loved 'blue lines'. i've been a huge fan of everything but the girl since the mid 80s. and by adding tracey thorn's vocals into an already potent mix that created 'blue lines', this album was on constant repeat in my cd player.

though strengthened by thorn and collaborator ben watt's contribution on the title track and 'better things', this sophomore effort is lyrically weaker than the debut. but the hypnotic beats from 'blue lines' carried over into this one. even alanis morisette said that 'protection' was incredibly soothing and strangely uplifting when she heard it at the vma after party.

the great thing about this album is it starts by grabbing you and doesn't let go until the second last track.

'protection' wraps thorn's vocals around you, feeling strong yet vulnerable at the same time. the beat elevates your senses and you feel lightened somehow.

'karmacoma' hits you from the first beat, tricky and 3d hypnotises you with their 'rapping' (for want a better word); 'three' breaks this stupor, with vocalist nicolette tip-toeing playfully around 'her favourite number'. orgasmic!

'weather storm' surprises you with a simple bass track and elegently haunting piano work by craig armstrong, raining down on your emotions after the last 3 tracks.

'spying glass' goes back to the dark playfulness of 'three', again to incredible effect.

track 6 'better things' finds thorn back on vocals, accusational and angry... blending perfectly into the instrumental confection built around her voice.

'eurochild' has 3d and tricky again talking around very textured beats.

and 'sly' is just incredible... nicolette taking us on her journey... wondering... 'heat miser' let's the beats and armstrong's piano speak to us again, though in contrast to 'weather storm', 'heat miser' spirals like the burning incense in a temple, just rises higher and higher until it just dissipates... and that would've been a perfect end to a perfect album. but they had to add a live version of 'light my fire' (yes that's jim morrison/ doors classic), which totally spoilt my experience of the album. that's the only reason it's 4 stars and not 5 :)