MASSIVE ATTACK - MEZZANINE (JAPANESE VERSION) Year : 1998 Release Date : 99-09-19 Type : Album Tracks : 12 Label : Circa Records Playtime : 01h 08m 36s Genre : Trip-Hop Size : 78.6 MB Supplier : Karmacoma Encoder : Audioactive/Radium Ripper : Karmacoma Bitrate : 160k tracks 01 angel 02 risingson 03 teardrop 04 inertia creeps 05 exchange 06 dissolved girl 07 man next door 08 black milk 09 mezzanine 10 group four 11 (exchange) 12 superpredators (remix) about After revolutionizing the U.K. music scene with their brilliant debut Blue Lines, Massive Attack responded triumphantly with an equally engaging album, Protection, that gave the Bristol crew their first true taste of U.S. success. On this, their third album, the group stay true to form precisely by not staying true to form, responding to their previous work by quietly reinventing themselves yet again. Slow, grinding guitars mix with the bubbling undertow of bass on the opening "Angel," serving notice that this isn't the same group you were probably expecting. Over 11 dub- heavy tracks, Mezzanine paints a dark and edgy picture that is surprisingly devoid of cynicism or despondency. In essence, Massive Attack provide counterpoint to the simpler, rave- influenced dance tunes being embraced by audiences today. The primary conduit for this can be found in the voice of Cocteau Twins chanteuse Elizabeth Fraser, who contributes vocals on three songs. Having previously used Everything but the Girl's Tracey Thorn on Protection, Massive again take a seemingly innocuous vocalist and make her seem wholly plausible within their musical structure. Fraser's ethereal musings on "Teardrop," against a backing track of simple drum taps and piano sighs, is spellbinding. Hearing her voice work with actual rhythms, like on the pulsing bass lines of "Black Milk," is thoroughly compelling, and hopefully a harbinger of Cocteau Twins music to come. The rest of the album's murkier instrumentals are strong, and it's only the songs featuring male vocals that stumble. British vocal accents in music have always been a searing point with American ears and, as such, songs like "Risingson" and "Man Next Door" can be trying. Even then, however, those vocals add texture to the beautifully crafted tracks and can be listened to seamlessly in context. Few groups can manage the consistency over as many years as Massive Attack has, and it's a true testament to their vision, considering the changing climate of music this decade. But if ever a group could hold their own in a genre they all but invented, it is Massive Attack, and they do so on Mezzanine with immaculate aplomb. application We are looking for young and talented recruits to join us. If you think you are a qualified releaser, site-operator or shell-supplier feel free to contact our personnel assistants on IRC. Girlscout-membership or other certified experience might be of advance. greetings UNITED BY ENCODING MINDSCAPE QUADROPHENIA COUNCIL MUSIC GROUP Fi|| DrAua mpyx hypermood Stuffer Sincus Apfelsaft contact E-Mail : klangwerk@ezimail.co.za WWW : http://klangwerk.homepage.com EFnet : #klangwerk NOTE: We do not send missing files of our releases!