Massive Attack, Protection- A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@FabioRabelodeCarvalhoGuimarães]

I wish you'd react to Portishead!!!

[@FabioRabelodeCarvalhoGuimarães]

May I suggest their orchestrated live version of "Strangers"

[@cranboogie]

I concur 🌀🌀🌀🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍

[@chriskerfoot491]

@@cranboogie I would suggest anything from the live Roseland gig

[@pgvalhalla]

Yes I agree this would be an amazing reaction, the combination of trip hop and orchestra elements are amazing! ​@@FabioRabelodeCarvalhoGuimarães

[@brendanofthenorth9748]

Yes!

[@koomaj]

Massive Attack sounds still very fresh after 30 years.

[@koomaj]

And the dancing really never happened. Massive Attack is meant to be listened alone in a dark room with quality headphones on.

[@adam872]

Definitely!

[@louise_rose]

When their debut album appeared during the Gulf War, they had to change their name to just MASSIVE for a while :) A nightclub in my hometown immediately borrowed the name and the album cover artwork for their posters and flyers. :)

[@spacelab777]

Portishead - Roads is one of the best and most haunting pieces of this genre.

[@netuno60]

These guys are kings in the production, arrangement parts, and the creation of an atmospheric vibe. this song in particular is very beautiful. The singer is the great Tracey Thorn from Everything But The Girl. Her voice is beautiful. Thank you Amy.

[@johnsilva9139]

Tracey Thorn got around. I remember her as one of the Marine Girls.

[@netuno60]

@@johnsilva9139 Uau, I never heard about it.

[@bryanodonoghue8007]

I saw them in Dublin in a venue which I've experienced some bad sound distortions with other bands. MA has the bass up so that you feel it through your whole body - not a single distortion, didn't hurt your ears, it was amazingly done and the performance was of course utterly professional. Absolute genius.

[@jonnylumberjack6223]

This music is comedown music. Big night out in the club, tripping on E, come back to somewhere comfy for the after party, this is on, the spliffs are being smoked, every one nodding along in time, the beat sits so nice with the come down. And it's all about love, which was the over riding mood E produces. It's a whole vibe for sure. Takes me back to some seriously fun times.

[@unkorichie2029]

Wow you nailed it 💯

[@bjwnashe5589]

Exactly

[@nlsantiesteban]

👆🏾this right here

[@infectious420]

Rave to the grave. Respect.

[@user-cs4fg1rm5k]

No it isn't. This is Intelligent Electronica. No stimulants needed.

[@chloelayla017]

I love Massive Attack and much of what came out of trip hop culture. Portishead are another major name that provided great cultural thought pieces that were also interestingly composed and very listenable. For Massive Attack, I would definitely suggest, famous pieces such as Unfinished Sympathy, Teardrop or Angel. However there are many great unknown pieces to discover also. A truly great band who provide such texture and thought to their songs. A much underappreciated group too.

[@PainInTheS]

Oh Portishead....man oh man, 'Glory box' or 'Roads' in the widely known live version.........pure bliss! Goldfrapp, Morcheeba, Unkle, DJ Shadow, Moby.......let's dive into the moody good stuff! 😁

[@mbrown7361]

I'm a massive metal head. Like, death metal and grindcore all day please. But trip hop is one of my go-to genres since the 00s as one of my unwind genres. Absolutely love it.

[@danorourke1895]

Tear Drop, Unfinished Sympathy, Angel, Safe From Harm. These are all food for the soul and amazing songs by them!

[@Bearlissimo]

Paradise Circus is a must.

[@gergsar]

I love Tracy Thorne's voice....

[@ITTom]

Massive Attack - Unfinished Sypmathy

[@PainInTheS]

THIS ☝️

[@unvergebeneid]

*Sympathy

[@gtjacobs]

You are correct. This is the track to hear

[@10mimu]

Yessss

[@adam872]

That was my introduction back in 1991 and I was hooked instantly

[@Glyn75]

Interesting that this landed today given that Massive Attack played in front of 34,000 Bristolians last night. “Teardrop” featuring Liz Fraser is probably the most similar song of theirs to Protection, but surely “Unfinished Sympathy” is everyone’s favourite.

[@DylanCuthbert]

Paradise Circus amongst many others including Unfinished Sympathy! One of the best bands of all time, we need a new album!

[@bogna8877]

and Heat Miser

[@nubbypk]

Angel is an absolute masterpiece. Safe from Harm is also a personal favourite.

[@johnsilva9139]

Liz Fraser and her group The Cocteau Twins are certainly worth a listen as well.

[@yourshadowself]

I’m a big fan of Paradise Circus with Hope Sandoval on vocals

[@GrimlarLex]

Glorious vocals from Tracey Thorn from Everything But The Girl. So easy to fall in love with this song.

[@mipsungvuclam]

I love how often I get surprised by the selections made here. Massive Attack is definitely worth diving into! FYI, the singer, Tracy Thorn, is a guest vocalist and the group duo that she is known for, “Everything But The Girl”, is another that would be worth your while. Thank you so much for what you do!!!

[@orcaflotta7867]

Just wanted to post the same. EbtG was a pretty jazzy outfit tho.

[@louise_rose]

After watching Amy's insightful appraisal of !Wish You Were Here" I I immediately thought, "I hope she does a video on Protection!"". So neat to see that indeed she had! This is such a meaningful song on many levels and, of course, a masterpiece of production and arrangement. Tracey Thorn recorded her vocal in one take, having received the backing track on a cassette from the band: it seems they gave her no instructions about what they wanted (much like Pink Floyd vs Clare Torry for "The Great Gig in the Sky" - except in this case, they were not even together in the same studio!)

[@orcaflotta7867]

I love how you mention 2 totally different songs from 2 totally different musical periods in one post. I know enough music snobs who wouldn't give "youngster hip shit (snort)!" like Massive Attack not a single listen, not a single chance. :( And that after Tracey Thorn proved on Everything But The Girl's debut album that she can even sing jazz.

[@louise_rose]

@@orcaflotta7867 Yes, I can barely remember a time when the Floyd wasn't part of my personal musical cosmos...but I liked Massive Attack too as soon as I saw their videos on MTV in the nineties. Amazing band and with such great taste in choosing their guest singers!

[@orcaflotta7867]

@@louise_rose Absofukenlutely! And this from a funk-metalhead. ;)

[@mikeb7379]

I'm from Bristol and proud of it. Not just because of the music scene? I would not say Trip Hop is dance music, although some tracks are? It's chill out music, after a hard days work or after a hard night out. Massive Attack are still performing, as a matter of fact only last week they did a outside concert here in Bristol up on the Downs, (trust me on the phrasing of the location?)! Personally I always preferred Portishead's music though. "Roads" is probably my favourite by them?

[@runuphill]

One of my favorite songs. Her gorgeous voice, the mesmerizing beat, the feeling of being wrapped, being enveloped. Absolutely listen with eyes gently closed. ❤

[@pyenapple]

The beat is derived from dance but it’s more for the head not the feet. That’s the “trip hop” element. It’s more for chilling, feeling, thinking, and, uh…taking substances.

[@lawrencekelli]

Well said.

[@dathorndike4908]

One of the thing I always loved about Massive Attack is their use of real instruments combined with electronic beats and sounds. Plus the gorgeous female vocalists they got to sing over many of their tracks

[@geoffreyhawley503]

I envy you hearing Massive Attack's "Protection" for the first time. I remember how mesmerized I was by the layered sounds, how moved I was by the message of the lyrics. It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.

[@pyenapple]

Next stop: “Sly”

[@Louisevmh]

Exactly

[@louise_rose]

Yes, I remember catching their famous single-shot video for "Unfinished Sympathy" on MTV at the dawn of the nineties, with Shara Nelson's beautiful soul vocals. It looked and sounded like nothing you had ever heard before (coming from a classical music background myself, I realized later that what she does is a kind of opera aria transfused into soul/hiphop, the way the strings enveloped her voice is very reminiscent of opera). :)

[@BassistInATutu]

I've been a big fan of Massive attack since back in the 90's. This has always been one of my favourites. Such a beautiful song. Brings back memories of such beautiful times. I loved your take on this old masterpiece. Thanks for reacting to it.

[@robinfoster7597]

The lyrics are both profound and beautiful. An expression of love and a desire to to take care and protect each other. Avery special track.

[@fredts796]

What a great reaction video !!! I love your comparaison of the music with watercolours !!!! It is so well analysed, and translate so well this oneiric musical landscape Thanks a lot, Amy, for this video. I love Massive Attack, they have so many other great songs ❤ Lots of love to you !!!

[@gretagarbeige]

I don't know if you're a teacher too, but you really got a way with words. You make everything so easy to understand ! Another great video. What a joy you are !

[@jonnylumberjack6223]

She is a teacher :)

[@gretagarbeige]

@@jonnylumberjack6223 oh great ! Makes sense ! Lucky students, I would be in the first row everytime !

[@theNeathBoy]

Great review Amy. massive Attack were very well known and successful here in the UK back in the 90’s, and with good reason, they produced many beautiful tracks.

[@neves71]

The texture of the sounds in this song makes you feel like a baby being soothed in its mother's arms in a rocking chair.

[@Demention94]

Yeah

[@thomassharmer7127]

In your face, hypnotic percussion with washes of colourful, harmonic melancholy. That's a pretty good description of Trip Hop.

[@scooternutmick]

Add me to the list of people asking nicely for Portishead. If you hear Glory Box it’s twin brother is Hell is Around The Corner by Tricky.

[@russellsearch7925]

Love Massive Attack, great English band. I’d highly recommend Teardrop and Unfinished Symphony. Both absolute bangers.

[@mikegraham4255]

I remember watching their performance at Phoenix Fest 95 and being completely blown away.

[@Zippo4]

I was there for that festival. The line up was amazing

[@seansersmylie]

You would like Tear Drop, the video for that song literally takes you inside the womb to convey those feelings which you describe at the end.

[@rabs97]

Yes.. And she should watch the video too.. Its both beautiful and slightly disturbing at the same time.

[@TWBK]

She should listen to the cover by AURORA, and watch the video too since it shows the live performance.

[@SharmanSomerset]

A wonderful reaction, I think you would enjoy Portishead for similar reasons- try the live Roseland Theatre recording of their song “Strangers”, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it, big love x

[@asharpbflat7179]

Tracey Thorn, the most beautiful voice ever to exist. Can't find words how special this one is 💙

[@eva-z9l]

Thank you, Amy. I enjoyed your take on this track, especially the visual aspect of the song. I used to find "shelter" listening to this song when I was a teenager and had many struggles at home. I didn't understand the lyrics as English isn't my first language but I feel the message of the piece was delivered to me anyway. Songs like this made me want to learn English because I wanted to understand the lyrics so much 🥰

[@DylanCuthbert]

Your English is perfect now, well done!

[@eva-z9l]

@@DylanCuthbert thank you 😀

[@bartsimpsonhead2790]

Massive Attack work with a lot of guest vocalists, and Tracey Thorn from the band Everything But The Girl was the vocalist on this track. I'd very much recommend you give Massive Attack's song 'Teardrop' with vocalist Elizabeth Fraser (from the group Cocteau Twins) a listen too - she has a very different vocal style (much brighter), and her vocals on Cocteau Twins songs are really something else altogether. Also Elizabeth Fraser's vocal on the cover version of Tim Buckley's 'Song To The Siren' by the collective/group This Mortal Coil is fabulous and deserves a listen.

[@goose5220]

I think you'll find that Tracey Thorn actually wrote the lyrics to this song. Massive Attack composed the music and you then have a masterpiece.

[@adam872]

This is a favourite band and album of the era for me. It's just perfect in terms of melody, harmony and arrangement. Tracey Thorn's vocal is fantastic too.

[@gbulmer]

This is gorgeous, sumptuous, luscious, 'gourmet' music for ear, mind and mood, not dance. A masterpiece of beat, texture and lyrics. It's like a JMW Turner painting; impressions,, ideas, sense, emotion without photographic detail or dictation. Much is there, but we bring our own moral compass to complete it. Sometimes it makes me cry, sometimes I feel great hope. I'm always glad I listened. Best Wishes. ☮

[@n3wsymtl]

One of the most beautiful song ever recorded. I love this band so much... Incredible in the 90s, still incredible today.

[@countzer0408]

I love love love this song. I find it very relaxing to listen to. The whole album is great as are all their albums. ❤

[@louise_rose]

After watching your reaction/appraisal of "Wish You Were Here", I thought almost at once; "I hope she'll do a video on "Protection!". Lo and behold, you already had! Thanks a lot - this is a lovely and insightful look at a great song. I love the entire album, but this one is a favourite - and you're right, the fusion of elements is very interesting. It builds tension and immersion out of repetition with subtle changes - and the superb vocal by Tracey Thorn adds another layer. The core of that recurrent hi-hat/drum figure and the wah-wah guitar note are samples from "The Payback". a vintage funk track by James Brown and his band. Brown was massively sampled in the 80s and 90s, all kinds of hiphop acts mined his old albums and singles for striking elements of sound. But theyr are placed here together with that rolling piano and the phased droning synth sound, doing something completely new. You're right that there's almost nothing happening in terms of musical change during the last three minutes, the piano and the drums remain at the centre and the piano figure rolls ever more heavily, a bit like gospel piano, but it stays within the basic frame, the same chords. Still, they manage to keep the brooding tension and atmosphere during those nearly three minutes, there's a feeling that something will have to happen. When the bluesy left-hand piano chord riff (close to G minor?) finally pans out and resolves into a more hopeful tone, the drums turning down while the night rain comes flooding in over the scene, it feels inevitable: this is the only way the song could end. I always feel the final frame would show the girl and bóy walking together through a park, under the pouring rain from a cloudy night sky.... :) I absolutely agree this is a song where courage, grit and compassion transcend gender roles - the bit where she is declaring that she can be strong for her guy: "And I don't have no fear, I'll take on any man in here / who says that's not the way it should be!" is a beautiful statement about not letting yourself be diminished by other people and their mindset, or by old gender roles. The boy/girl reversals in the lyrics are expanding on this too, I think... Tracey Thorn explained in a memoir book, "Bedsit Disco Queen" that her vocals here were influenced by a scary episode a few years earlier, when her artistic and personal partner Ben Watt had been severely ill; he had more or less collapsed from some rare illness and she had had to take charge of him, get him to hospital and watch over him for some time after. The vocals here feel unmistakably lived: emotionally she is tapping into places where she has really been.

[@ErskineCrumb]

This was an excellent analysis of the piece, as a whole. Thank-you, Amy.

[@headrockbeats]

If you want to hear a classic electronic piece that is downright fascinating musically (in fact, it has no lyrics at all), I would recommend Orbital's "Out There Somewhere", which is an electronic FUGUE. It's split into two parts, with the second part being the "important" one.

[@pattardn]

Creators of some of the most sublime contemporary art.

[@alexc.c.4025]

I just looooove Massive Attack. Art elevates the soul and this is exactly what Massive Attack does to me when I listen to them. Seem the once ages ago….

[@davidspears8108]

I'm new to your channel and I'm loving it. You have such an open minded take on music, and a great vocabulary to explain your thoughts

[@antonycarter39]

You have made my day with this reaction - thank you!

[@misha-jz4yx]

at the end it also made me feel like i was listening as a baby in a womb hearing a heartbeat and blood rushing round the body then waters breaking like the rain falling on the ground to nourish new growth, with the baby about to born and the womb left silent and empty with no ears left there to hear that sound, like secret sound that we only ever hear once as unborns.

[@philproffitt8363]

Their 'Teardrop' music video actually has a foetus in the womb singing that song 😁

[@misha-jz4yx]

@@philproffitt8363 wow! gojng to watch it

[@squ34ky]

Massive Attack sounds heavy, but usually I find them relaxing. Please do listen to "Teardrop" as well. The video for it is exquisite.

[@kawonnowak]

It's always interesting to see how some of your videos get very few comments Amy. I'm not sure what that's about. I've always found Massive Attack to be a really enjoyable band, producing consistently smooth, chilled, but engaging material. Listening to Protection reminded me that there was a time when they were one of my go-to bands when I wanted to take the edge of a difficult day. Ah! "They were one of my..." Okay, I need to revisit them. I enjoyed your take, thanks.

[@PainInTheS]

Massive attack is an acquired taste. Around the time when 'Unfinished sympathy' came out I had/was veering away from dance/rap/hiphop/electro to hardrock/metal....never looked back. But....when something great comes along I'm of course listening. And 'Unfinished sympathy' had something eerie, otherworldly to it....something very hard to put into words. Loved it, still love it and I have all Massive attack albums except for one. And no matter how I like metal....actually I'm into so much more than only that.....but something like Daft punk, Air, Portishead, Goldfrapp and Blastromen come along I'm definitely listening! 👍

[@Justin-td4bb]

Massive attacks whole back catalogue is stunning.

[@Eprosis]

Massive Attack defined a particular sound and feeling of the 90s. I don't think they're as remembered as much as they should, but I'm glad to see you react to their music.

[@Archie503]

Traceys voice is so beautiful on this Saw Everything but the Girl at a Red Wedge concert in the 80s and she was so good.

[@howser1875]

Good call on portishead, the live album with the new york philharmonic orchestra is outstanding.

[@darkogregec7503]

I miss this kind of music and production...it brings back memories. Good and sad memories of time long gone..

[@gozamite]

This song has been my wake up alarm sound/ music many many years... Maybe my favorite Massive Attack track.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Evocative yet soothing. Thanks Virgin Rock

[@richgreenmusic2211]

You've got to check out all of their back catalogue, varied , rich and incredibly tasteful. Their track Teardrop has a kick drum sampled from a heartbeat

[@Pulsar77]

Their album Mezzanine deserves a full listen & review. There's a LOT to unpack there, and it still sounds otherworldly and futuristic after 25 years.

[@aefenleoht]

Massive Attack is brilliant and timeless! I'm curious how you would react to Sigur Ros or Beach House.

[@petebateman143]

Not a dance music fan beyond dancing to it in clubs etc, but Massive Attacks Protection and Mezzanine albums are both absolutely superb. They have a hypnotic quality that just sucks your brain in.

[@matthewdelaney5366]

One of my favourite channels. Please don’t stop what you’re doing.

[@buca505]

Massive Attack are masters in turning something that supposedly to be pop-dance music, with elements of hip-hop in to the unique emotional and musical experience. Because of their unique mixture and inability to define them by music press in end of 80’s, they were given this special category that does not mean anything actually, trip-hop. I hope you will listen their song “Angel” from their third album, it is masterpiece, same as “Unfinished Sympathy” from first one. Keep on good work Amy, Vlad, kiss the Kid’o ✌️👍

[@dealerovski82]

Massive attack are musical geniuses

[@criss_v33]

I was so happy to see your reaction. Massive Attack are great! Trip-hop is characterized by the repetition of beats that come from Jamaican Dub, and this gives this impression of meditation, it's kind of hypnotic. Tracey Thorn gives a beautiful vocal that fits perfectly. Please, moooooore from them! Teardrop is a great song to react to, with the most lyrically exotic vocals in rock'n roll, which comes from Liz Fraser of the band Cocteau Twins. Another great band to dive.

[@noother964]

The best of the original trip hop artists (Portishead, Massive Attack, Tricky etc.) used some of the tropes of "dance" music to create a much darker, reflective, moody sonic universe. BTW, Massive Attack are amazing live -even better than when I first saw them 25 years ago!

[@franciscojosepereiramadrug674]

What an extraordinary three-fold encounter : Tracey Thorn, trip-hop and modulation! The whole of this album is a masterpiece in trip hop (we saw you tripping with the outro, it was delighful). Please, try other songs on this album, like Weather Storm, Slay or, if you are feeling on an adventurous mood, Karmakoma.

[@gianricodellefratte6175]

congratulations, yours are the best reactions on youtube. I see how you absorb the music, I see the deep eyes given by the joy of listening, I see when you smile at the details. you are pure music. it's a pleasure to see you, I'm music too. with less technique than you certainly and sorry for the uncertain English :)

[@JoseSanchez-lk1ic]

Fastest click I’ve done on a video. Massive Attack is one of my favorites

[@severeign2987]

Saw them live last night and they still sound as good as they ever did 😊

[@flaviosmartins]

You should see this song video, it's fantastic. In fact, all Massive Attack videos are great.

[@philproffitt8363]

The one with Rosamund Pike is disturbing 🙈😁👍

[@andrewdawson8684]

A beautiful analysis! Fascinating to see such a detailed view of this incredible song :)

[@rong2912]

This song is so beautiful

[@RiotGrrrlMeg]

I'm literally watching as you experience the music getting under your skin and growing on you. Massive Attack is an entire mood, and Protection in particular does an exemplary job of subtly building the intensity of the rhythm over, what, four minutes? Utterly timeless track. Electronic music at its finest.

[@RiotGrrrlMeg]

Also, Massive Attack was classified as "dance music" even though they were anything but. There wasn't an award category that captured their genre.

With Massive Attack, you're getting closer to the music I really enjoy. They've made a few collaborations with Reggae artists, and the Reggae style has a little but clear influence on this piece. This influence is right where you felt the dancing vibe, but didn't express exactly the articulation: the snare drum hit on the second and fourth bit. You'll find this pattern in a lot of modern dance music, and this piece, with its slow pace, gives us another occasion to have a "slow-dance" with our partner. Also, in this piece, I would highlight the contrast between the voice, soft and clear, almost classical, and the modernity of the instrumentation, synthesized, filtered and compressed. The drums are not loud, but they're so compressed that you can feel them inside of yourself, thus the heart bit feeling. Greetings!

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

Its not dance music. Its chill out

[@andymccabe6712]

Oh, whatever.... they're just fashionable words at the time..... Lighten up..!!

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

@@andymccabe6712 oh no, more information is a bad thing.

[@frankylaseure2641]

When this came out I didn't care. It grew on me and I bought the cd years later. Again years later it still grows on me. Especially the words "I can't change the way you feel, but I can put my arms around you" is something that resonates heavily with me. I'm so surprised that this song seems to resonate with Amy in some way. Full of surprises.

[@gazfunk]

I went to see them a couple of years ago and was blown away. Dark, thought provoking and groovy. You should check out Teardrop by them. Its a beautiful track,

[@altair8598]

Wow, nice surprise. Beautiful, luxuriant balm for the soul. That music doesn't need to go anywhere, it's the groove that matters. One of my favourite bands.I don't see them primarily as a dance band, more of a political one. Bristol's finest and still in business. Robert Del Naja (aka 3D) is a graffitti artist, probably inspired Banksy and is a mate of his. Not sure how much impact they made in the States, would be interested to hear.

[@martinmaran9015]

Dear Amy, you have to realize that trip hop was strongly associated with the drug scene in the 90s... (everyone who remembers will recall E songs, Speed ​​songs or even Gabba songs...) Well, actually, this has always been true for music... Trip hop creates a flying magic carpet, a bit of Tangerine Dream, a bit of Roberta Flack, a lot of Sade, a lot of Roxy Music, a lot of Brian Eno (but maybe also The Velvet Underground & Nico, Screaming Jay Hawkins...) A hypnotic dream. Elegance. Soul. Machinery. Cool and warm. Colors. Light and dark. Feelings. The context of Massive Attack's work - as with any real artist - is broader than a purely musical, postmodern eclectic musical level. Martin

[@r2small]

Love the way you can explain (technically) how I feel when listening to this song

[@everythingtime48]

Such a beautiful response. Thank you! 😊🥲

[@gtjacobs]

I'm glad you're listening to some trip hop, and this group is as good as it gets

[@davidpowell8249]

Loved it when Hoverphonic brought some trip-hop to Eurovision a couple of years ago.

[@woodyo3276]

Another brilliant video! Thanks so much for making these reactions. Try Angel next!

[@nubbypk]

Anyone ever seen Robert "3D" and Banksy in the same room 🤔

[@whatwhat100]

This is 30 years old! Where has the time gone? The whole album is well worth a listen, very moody and evocative. This is one of those albums where the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Not sure I'd call it dance music though. To me it's more meditative, chill-out music.

[@user-cs4fg1rm5k]

5 albums in 35 years. The last one came out more than 10 years ago. We need more music from them.

[@rainbowboi222]

Their song "Angel" was featured during an intense scene in The West Wing episode "Commencement". The song perfectly builds the suspense of what you're watching and gets your heart racing!

[@thegurkenkaiser9933]

this is a very delicate mix of sounds. i imagine it took them a lot of trial & error and deliberation to get to this result.

[@thegurkenkaiser9933]

i think one of the hardest things to resist as a music producer/composer ist after listening to your own track for the 350x time - why not add another chord progression, maybe a key change? this seldom improves the outcome imo.

[@dathorndike4908]

I never liked electronic music much, but the Mezzanine album changed my life.

[@markgreen950]

I would very much recommend you watch the video for this track, it's very creatively done.

[@jeanleveau7904]

Love protection album. My favotite song is spying glass with Horace Andy's voice. I have seen them a couple of times live and they're amazing in concert.

[@patakigeo]

Great choice of music, Amy. I love this cut.

[@ruirodrigues8103]

You are good! Thanks!

[@domenicgalata1470]

The video for this song is also amazing. Directed by Michel Gondry the French film director who also directed many music videos that are all stand outs in that genre.

[@UrbanTaxi99]

Massive Attack and Portished were some of the most important recorded music ever produced, game changers. Dance music it is not.

[@willem-janageling3907]

Massive Attack are the cream of the crop on Trip Hop, together with Bjork. This track is a fantastic introduction to both the artist and the genre. Thank you for reintroducing me to this album. That Helter Skelter lyric must be a Beatles reference 🙂

[@mikeb7379]

Portishead were better? Best?

[@willem-janageling3907]

@@mikeb7379 that's a matter of taste. I like Portishead too.

[@porgy29]

I had never really considered Bjork trip hop, although I can see the connection, especially with some of her earlier work. I guess I've always just categorized her as her own genre, whatever she was doing.

[@willem-janageling3907]

@porgy29 good point.

[@nubbypk]

I've never seen anyone describe Bjork as Trip Hop. I can see a comparison with some of her early Indie/electronica stuff but I've not seen it characterised as trip Hop.

[@Upe-f9c]

I think you are right about the lyrical message of humanism, and also that it has this meditative element to it. Yet, it is electronic music, machine made music, to a large extent. That makes it, at least for me, a bit paradoxical. It makes the human voice even more fragile. I really like it.

[@ricksamericana749]

While "Teardrop" "Angel" and "Unfinished Symphony" are the songs typically used to introduce Massive Attack, I am so happy you are checking out my Massive Attack favorite, "Protection".

[@Jimstriker]

We're all focusing on the genius of Massive Attack but we have to acknowledge these lyrics.

[@jrnhrbrtsn]

you’re my favorite music poet i know.

[@redgozza]

While part of the very wide dance genre, trip hop had a much more chilled vibe and like so many songs, it really needs to be heard as a part of an album. When this came out we still listened to full albums, and this was one to be listening to at the end of the night, after the club, ideally as the sun rises.

[@bobroberts4934]

Massive attack protection, one of my all-time favorite albums. The trip hop movement that came out of Bristol was responsible for some amazing music and musicians. My other favorite group to come out of that movement, though they don't describe themselves as tripHop are Portishead

[@Shoomer1988]

It's hard to work TB-303's into such a hauntingly beautiful record but they managed it.