Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Increasingly ignored amidst the exploding trip-hop scene, Massive Attack finally returned in 1998 with Mezzanine, a record immediately announcing not only that the group was back, but that they'd recorded a set of songs just as singular and revelatory as on their debut, almost a decade back. It all begins with a stunning one-two-three-four punch: "Angel," "Risingson," "Teardrop," and "Inertia Creeps." Augmenting their samples and keyboards with a studio band, Massive Attack open with "Angel," a stark production featuring pointed beats and a distorted bassline that frames the vocal (by group regular Horace Andy) and a two-minute flame-out with raging guitars. "Risingson" is a dense, dark feature for Massive Attack themselves (on production as well as vocals), with a kitchen sink's worth of dubby effects and reverb. "Teardrop" introduces another genius collaboration -- with Elizabeth Fraser from Cocteau Twins -- from a production unit with a knack for recruiting gifted performers. The blend of earthy with ethereal shouldn't work at all, but Massive Attack pull it off in fine fashion. "Inertia Creeps" could well be the highlight, another feature for just the core threesome. With eerie atmospherics, fuzz-tone guitars, and a wealth of effects, the song could well be the best production from the best team of producers the electronic world had ever seen. Obviously, the rest of the album can't compete, but there's certainly no sign of the side-two slump heard on Protection, as both Andy and Fraser return for excellent, mid-tempo tracks ("Man Next Door" and "Black Milk," respectively).
© John Bush /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From 12.49€/month
Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Grant Marshall, ComposerLyricist - Massive Attack, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Neil Davidge, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Gangadeen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Horace Andy, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Lee Isaac Vowles, ComposerLyricist - Lee Shepherd, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - P-Dub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Angelo Bruschini, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Del Naja, ComposerLyricist - Horace Hinds , ComposerLyricist
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Grantley Marshall, ComposerLyricist - Andrew Vowles, ComposerLyricist - Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Massive Attack, MainArtist - Robert Del Naja, ComposerLyricist - Doc Savidge For Massive Attack Productions, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1997 Virgin Records Limited
Grantley Marshall, ComposerLyricist - Elizabeth Fraser, Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Andrew Vowles, Music Production, AssociatedPerformer - Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Massive Attack, Producer, MainArtist - Robert Del Naja, Music Production, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Neil Davidge, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Gangadeen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Lee Isaac Vowles, ComposerLyricist - Lee Shepherd, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - P-Dub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Angelo Bruschini, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Twig, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Grantley Evan Marshall, Music Production, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Grantley Marshall, ComposerLyricist - Andrew Vowles, ComposerLyricist - Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Massive Attack, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Del Naja, ComposerLyricist - Neil Davidge, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Gangadeen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lee Shepherd, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - P-Dub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Angelo Bruschini, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Mort Garson, Composer - Bob Hilliard, Composer - Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Massive Attack, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Neil Davidge, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Gangadeen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lee Shepherd, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - P-Dub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Angelo Bruschini, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Grantley Marshall, Keyboards, Samples, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Andrew Vowles, ComposerLyricist - Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tim Young, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Paul "P-Dub" Walton, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Massive Attack, Producer, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Del Naja, Keyboards, Samples, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Neil Davidge, Producer, Keyboards, Samples, Recording Arranger, Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Matt Schwartz, ComposerLyricist - Andy Gangadeen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lee Shepherd, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jan Kybert, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Angelo Bruschini, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah Jay Hawley, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Sarah J. Hawley, ComposerLyricist
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - John Holt, Composer - Massive Attack, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Neil Davidge, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Gangadeen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Horace Andy, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Howard Barrett, Composer - Tyrone Evans, Composer - Lee Shepherd, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - P-Dub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Angelo Bruschini, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Grantley Marshall, ComposerLyricist - Elizabeth Fraser, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Manfred Mann, ComposerLyricist - Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Massive Attack, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Del Naja, ComposerLyricist - Neil Davidge, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Gangadeen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Lee Isaac Vowles, ComposerLyricist - Liz Fraser, ComposerLyricist - Lee Shepherd, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - P-Dub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Angelo Bruschini, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Grantley Marshall, Composer - Andrew Vowles, Composer - Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Massive Attack, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Del Naja, Composer - Neil Davidge, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Gangadeen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lee Shepherd, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - P-Dub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Angelo Bruschini, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Grantley Marshall, Composer - Elizabeth Fraser, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Vowles, Composer - Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Massive Attack, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Robert Del Naja, Composer - Neil Davidge, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Gangadeen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Liz Fraser, Composer - Lee Shepherd, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - P-Dub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Angelo Bruschini, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Mort Garson, Composer - Bob Hilliard, Composer - Mark 'Spike' Stent, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Massive Attack, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Neil Davidge, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, Samples, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Gangadeen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Horace Andy, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Lee Shepherd, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jan Kybert, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - P-Dub, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Angelo Bruschini, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Horace Hinds , Composer
(C) 1998 Virgin Records LtdThis label copy information is the subject of copyright protection. All rights reserved.(C) 1998 Virgin Records Ltd ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Album review
Increasingly ignored amidst the exploding trip-hop scene, Massive Attack finally returned in 1998 with Mezzanine, a record immediately announcing not only that the group was back, but that they'd recorded a set of songs just as singular and revelatory as on their debut, almost a decade back. It all begins with a stunning one-two-three-four punch: "Angel," "Risingson," "Teardrop," and "Inertia Creeps." Augmenting their samples and keyboards with a studio band, Massive Attack open with "Angel," a stark production featuring pointed beats and a distorted bassline that frames the vocal (by group regular Horace Andy) and a two-minute flame-out with raging guitars. "Risingson" is a dense, dark feature for Massive Attack themselves (on production as well as vocals), with a kitchen sink's worth of dubby effects and reverb. "Teardrop" introduces another genius collaboration -- with Elizabeth Fraser from Cocteau Twins -- from a production unit with a knack for recruiting gifted performers. The blend of earthy with ethereal shouldn't work at all, but Massive Attack pull it off in fine fashion. "Inertia Creeps" could well be the highlight, another feature for just the core threesome. With eerie atmospherics, fuzz-tone guitars, and a wealth of effects, the song could well be the best production from the best team of producers the electronic world had ever seen. Obviously, the rest of the album can't compete, but there's certainly no sign of the side-two slump heard on Protection, as both Andy and Fraser return for excellent, mid-tempo tracks ("Man Next Door" and "Black Milk," respectively).
© John Bush /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 01:03:36
- Main artists: Massive Attack
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Circa
- Genre: Electronic Trip Hop
© 1998 Virgin Records Limited ℗ 1998 Virgin Records Limited
Distinctions:
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.