Massive Attack released its debut album, Blue Lines, in 1991, essentially inventing the trip hop genre. The British band’s music is a blend of hip-hop and electronica with a dash of soul. It’s quite an adventurous mix.
While this sort of music isn’t exactly my cup of tea, I totally see the appeal. Unlike heavy metal, exemplified by yesterday’s featured Metallica album, I find this interesting and ground-breaking and actually listenable.
Founded by a trio of DJ/vocalist/musicians, Massive Attack has released five studio albums between 1991 and 2010. They are technically still active as a duo. The band often enlists female vocalists, such as Shara Nelson (lead vocalist on today’s SOTD), who appears throughout Blue Lines, including as co-writer on several tracks.
While I’ve heard the band’s name before, this is my first exposure to Massive Attack’s music. Not what I expected. Not something I see myself returning to, but I’m glad I finally made their acquaintance.
Midnight rockers, city slickers
Gunmen and maniacs
All will feature on the freak show
And I can’t do nothing ’bout that, no
[Pre-Chorus: Shara Nelson]
But if you hurt what’s mine
I’ll sure as hell retaliate
[Refrain: 3D]
Serious, infectious and dan…
Serious, and
Serious, infectious and dangerous
[Chorus: Shara Nelson]
You can free the world, you can free my mind
Just as long as my baby’s safe from harm tonight
You can free the world, you can free my mind
Just as long as my baby’s safe from harm tonight
[Post-Chorus: 3D]
Serious, infectious and dangerous
Friends and enemies, I find it’s contagious
I was looking back to see if you were looking back at me
To see me looking back at you
[Verse 2: Shara Nelson]
Lucky dippers, crazy chancers
Seems to be moving fast
What happened to the niceties of my childhood days?
Well I can’t do nothing ’bout that, no
[Pre-Chorus: Shara Nelson]
But if you hurt what’s mine
I’ll sure as hell retaliate
[Refrain: 3D]
I was looking back to see if you were
I was looking, I was
I was looking back to see if you were looking back at me
To see me looking back at you
[Chorus: Shara Nelson]
You can free the world, you can free my mind
Just as long as my baby’s safe from harm tonight
You can free the world, you can free my mind
Just as long as my baby’s safe from harm tonight
[Verse 3: 3D]
Serious, infectious and dangerous
Friends and enemies, I find it’s contagious
And they’re spreading through your system like a virus
Yes, the trouble in the end, it makes you anxious
I was looking, I was
I was looking back to see if you were looking back at me
To see me looking back at you
I was looking back to see if you were looking back at me
To see me looking back at you
[Pre-Chorus: Shara Nelson]
But if you hurt what’s mine
I’ll sure as hell retaliate
[Chorus: Shara Nelson]
You can free the world, you can free my mind
Just as long as my baby’s safe from harm tonight
Just as long as my baby’s safe from harm tonight
Never heard of them, but I agree their sound is interesting.