#383 Massive Attack, 'Mezzanine' (1998)

Previously #412

A landmark album in trip hop, ‘Mezzanine,’ almost ripped the band apart. The band spent most of its creation disagreeing on the direction of the band. Robert Del Naja had spent of a lot of time listening to and experimenting with New Wave records, while Grant Marshall and Andrew Vowles spent their time experimenting with bass and drum loops. Ultimately, the band survived. The album went on to chart at #1 and was certified double platinum. The tapped Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser to do vocals, and the result was iconic.

This record is mesmerising. The juxtaposition between the trip hop sounds with Fraser’s angelic vocals is just perfect. The centrepiece of this record, for me, is second single, ‘Teardrop.’ You could just not escape this song in 1998. The drum pattern on this song is one of my favourites of all time, as are the opening lyrics: “Love, love is a verb, love is a doing word.” Coupled with the piano and the droning guitar in the background, this song makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Every. Single. Time.

#rs500albums