Massive Attack - Heligoland

Trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack are back with Heligoland, their fifth album (and first in seven years) but 2010 Massive Attack are a far cry from, say early 90s Massive Attack. And a stretch from late 90s, early 2000s Massive Attack. Their trademark tone is still prevalent here as dread-stricken soundscapes are interlaced with an eerie sense of doom. The problem is the music plays like background tunes to a film (they have produced soundtracks lately, maybe that disrupted their album making abilities); meaning that the music is not where it should be to the listener - at the forefront. Instead the tracks here feel disjointed and, at times, straight up boring. Highlights here come mostly in the form of the song not being completely forgettable (guests spots by TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe and Blur/Gorillaz's Damon Albarn provide peaks). Quite a disappointment from a groundbreaking band.

2.8/5.0