15 November 2025
The electro hip-hop-pop legends released, except for some
collaborative work, their last new music with their 2010 album
Heligoland.
My fav MA song still is Karmacoma from their 1994 Protection full-length,
with Tricky, who was a member until this album was released, on vocals.
Significant longplayers from yesteryear
– 26 September 1995 –
Artist: PRINCE
June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016
Album: THE GOLD EXPERIENCE
No. 6 in the US, No. 4 in the UK.
His 17th.
The New York Times wrote: “A proficient album, not a startling one,
most of its songs are variations and retreads of previous Prince efforts.”
SINGLE
ALBUM
.
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– 26 September 1994 –
Band: MASSIVE ATTACK
Active: 1988–present
Album: PROTECTION
No. 4 in the UK and No. 19 in the US.
Their 2nd one.
Rolling Stone said: “Cool, sexy stuff, it smoothly fuses dub,
club and soul, grounding its grace in sampled hip-hop beats.”
SINGLE
ALBUM
.
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– 26 September 1994 –
Band: R.E.M.
Active: 1980–2011
Album: MONSTER
No. 1 in the UK and US.
Their 9th.
NME said: “At best stunning, at worst merely diverting, Monster sounds
like the album they ‘had’ to make, to clear out their system, a simple prop
to occupy our time.”
SINGLE
ALBUM
26 September 2019
Trip-hop legends MASSIVE ATTACK released their second longplayer PROTECTION on
26 September 1994, 25 years ago. Although it seemed nearly impossible to match their groundbreaking debut classic Blue Lines this follow-up contained a series of significant tracks, enough to make it a critical and commercial success. The album peaked at #4 in the UK and #19 in the US.
AllMusic wrote: “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… 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…” Full review here. Score: 4/5
Key tracks…
– KARMACOMA –
(My all-time fav MA track with vocals by Tricky)
– PROTECTION –
(Vocals by Tracey Thorn)
– SPYING GLASS –
Album in full…
.
MASSIVE ATTACK: Facebook – All Albums
Remarkable albums from the past…
‘Squeezing Out Sparks’ by GRAHAM PARKER
Released: March 1979 / fourth longplayer
ALL MUSIC review: “Generally regarded as Graham Parker’s finest album, ‘Squeezing
Out Sparks’ is a masterful fusion of pub rock classicism, new wave pop, and pure vitriol
that makes even his most conventional singer/songwriter numbers bristle with energy.
Not only does Parker deliver his best, most consistent set of songs, but he offers more
succinct hooks than before. Parker’s ruminations over a lost past give him the anger
that fuels ‘Squeezing Out Sparks’, one of the great rock records of the post-punk era.”
Score: 5/5 – full review here
TURN UP THE VOLUME says: Graham Parker‘s very best to my ears
and rattles still sparklingly cutting today.
* PROTECTION
* NOBODY HURTS YOU (steamy 1979 live rendition)
* YOU CAN’T BE TOO STRONG
Album in full…
.
GRAHAM PARKER: Facebook – All Albums
His new album CLOUD SYMBOLS out 28 September. All info and pre-order facilities here.