One record at a time: 257. Massive Attack - Heligoland

Having enjoyed Massive Attack's first two albums, I bought the single "Risingson" as soon as it was released in 1997. However, I found this song so disappointing that I didn't even investigate parent album "Mezzanine" when it was released the following year. Like everyone I heard "Angel" incessantly on movie trailers and TV shows, but it wasn't enough to pique my interest and I left Massive Attack behind for a time. 

My interest in the band was rekindled in 2010 and when The Vinyl Factory announced a special edition of new album "Heligoland", I decided to order it. As I mentioned in the post for Hot Chip's "One Life Stand", The Vinyl Factory used to make really sumptuous collectors editions by bands you had actually heard of, but sadly this is no longer the case.

This really is a lavish package with glittery artwork and heavy paper stock. There are three 180g vinyl discs and a CD housed in a three panel gatefold sleeve; it's all very impressive - right up until you play it. That's not to say the vinyl is a bad pressing; far from it. It's the music that is lacklustre here. 

Opening track "Pray for Rain" features some distinctive rolling toms and the voice of Babatunde Adebimpe in what is a departure from the traditional Massive Attack sound. There aren't really any samples being employed and there is a greater emphasis on acoustic instruments than on previous efforts. The second track "Babel" features bass and drums that sound like a 'band in a room' recording - which is really disappointing to hear from an artist that had previously pushed the boundaries of electronic music. "Splitting the Atom" and "Girl I love You" see Horace Andy providing his distinctive vocals over flat and disappointing backing tracks that make you wonder if this is the same band that created "Unfinished Sympathy". The panned guitar samples of "Psyche" provide something a little more sonically interesting but it's not enough to rescue the track.

The second slab of vinyl opens with the terrible "Flat of the Blade" which is a perfect demonstration of the tuneless drivel that can be generated when a collection of illustrious musicians begin to mess about in the studio and nobody from the record company dare tell them what they are producing is crap. One of the best songs on here is the sublime "Paradise Circus" which features the vocals of Hope Sandoval. There's a messy guitar based track in the form of "Rush Minute" and as I dislike Damon Albarn's voice, I can't wait for "Sunday Come Slow" to end. The final album track "Atlas Air" has a nice groove but I still can't help but wonder how much better it would have been if it harnessed the traditional sound of the band.

The third disc features the Gui Boratto remix of "Paradise Circus" which adds a nice electronic feel and there is a disappointing remix of a track called "Fatalism" (a track I wasn't aware of prior to owning the record). "United Snakes" is a former b-side that doesn't do a lot but at least features some nice electronic synth sounds. The best part of the whole package is left to last with the fantastic She is Danger remix of "Girl I Love You". This mix provides structure and cohesion to the slightly disjointed original and adds a brilliant rumbling bassline. 2/5