Protection
by Massive Attack

Some nice electro production, but the album can't decide what it wants to be. Whose idea was it to put Tracey Thorn on a trip-hop album? I preferred 3D and Tricky, could have used more rapping. I also liked Horace Andy's rastro style on "Spying Glass", and Nicolette is edgy and sensual on "Three" even if it's a Billie Holiday impression. The instrumentals aren't very good.

Overall a mixed bag, and rather disappointing album. To me, a lot of this sounds stilted and lacking in spontaneity (or dull). Seems like more of a dub take on trip-hop, I found the beats too blunt and not very compelling.

A great follow-up to Blue Lines. It's half-way between Blue Lines and Mezzanine in terms of sound. Very consistent album. My favourites are Eurochild, Protection and Karmacoma.

From C_Krug2009 12/12/2021 01:31 | #277399

This album is awesome. It’s pretty creative music. The bass on this album is what standouts I think the most. I still need to give Blue Lines a focused listen but i do think this is better than Mezzanine. I just like it more. I know I’m in the minority but it’s a more enjoyable vibe for me

From VictorVale 12/25/2019 13:07 | #245935

Atual até hoje, em pleno 2019.

From Sandrof1969 02/18/2018 19:41 | #208736

Melodie stupende su ritmi ipnotici, oscuri ma non ancora così plumbei come saranno nel successivo, inarrivabile "Mezzanine"; maggiore cura del suono, più denso rispetto a "Blue lines", reggae, dub, blues e atmosfere da locali fumosi che si fondono. L'unica cosa trascurabile è la cover di "Light my fire" dei Doors, che non c'entra niente e non è granchè.

From planetneutral 01/15/2018 17:55 | #205757

Not really in my wheelhouse, but very listenable dinner-making music.

I've never heard "Light My Fire (Live)". I didn't buy that song when I purchased the rest of the album on iTunes. As a result, I probably have a more positive opinion towards this album than most other people do.

While it's definitely the weakest of Massive Attack's first 3 albums, Protection is still great. The title track might be my favourite MA song. "Karmacoma", "Sly", and "Heat Miser" are excellent as well.

Protection is the best album of Massive Attack,for me.

Sound production is better than Bluelines and Mezzanine.

This and Dummy are the great Bristol sounds of 1994.

Any album that can transport you to another world as easy as just slipping headphones on is special. This one's super special. Not as groundbreaking as Blue Lines, but the next jump in their game was coming soon enough. A solid place holder to their trip hop throne that's only marred by the last three asides below:

Aside: Better Things is the best post-breakup diss song since Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive.
Bside: Weather Storm was nominated for an AVN award for the film Tricky's Wilky.
Cside: Heatmiser was rejected for Halloween XIII: Jason vs Mikey. John Carpenter sued anyways.
Dside: MA owes me 1) new shirt after I puked all over myself listening to their cover of Light My Fire and 2) a new copy of Protection on vinyl after I tried to remove said track from my copy using lighter fluid.

From Bach 10/31/2013 00:03 | #89881 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

My 2nd favourite album by them (after "Mezzanine").
Best tracks: Karmacoma, Sly, Protection, Three.