Massive Attack's sophomore effort could never be as stunning as
Blue Lines, and a slight drop in production and songwriting quality made the comparisons easy. Still, from the first two songs
Protection sounds worthy of their debut. The opening title track is pure excellence, with melancholy keyboards, throbbing acid lines, and fragmented beats perfectly complementing the transcendent vocals of
Tracey Thorn (an inspired choice to replace the departed
Shara Nelson as their muse).
Tricky, another soon-to-be-solo performer, makes his breakout on this record, with blunted performances on "Karmacoma," another highlight, as well as "Eurochild." But even though the production is just as intriguing as on
Blue Lines, there's a bit lacking here --
Massive Attack doesn't summon quite the emotional power they did previously. Guest
Craig Armstrong's piano work on the aimless tracks "Weather Storm" and "Heat Miser" leans uncomfortably close to Muzak, and his arrangement and conducting for "Sly" isn't much better (vocals by
Nicolette save the track somewhat). Though it's still miles ahead of the growing raft of trip-hop making the rounds in the mid-'90s,
Protection is rather a disappointment. ~ John Bush