100th Window

#40

[THE WILDERNESS - ALBUM 8]

I thought I disliked this more than I actually do. I think it was just the run of sub-par (for Massive Attack's quality) tracks at the beginning that always made me think this was their 'bad one'. But it isn't. I mean, yes, it's definitely their worst, but there's some really good stuff in the second half if you stick around for it.

My basic feeling around this album is that, while none of it is bad, and all of it is undeniably that quintessential Massive Attack sound that I keep going on about, very few of the songs do much for me personally. Like I said, this first half for me just doesn't quite hit the mark that the rest of their catalogue does.

It's an album I would return to if I just wanted the Massive Attack sound, but not to seek out certain songs. And seeing as there are four other album's worth of that sound, I fear it fills a niche rarely necessary.

Track list breakdown:

Future Proof - (6/10)

What Your Soul Sings - (6/10)

Everywhen - There isn't enough going on in this song to justify its runtime. (6/10)

Special Cases - (6/10)

Butterfly Caught - Stepping it up (getting to the good bit) (7/10)

Prayer For England - Used to be my favourite of the bunch. I'm a sucker for moody naughties music that doubles up as political campaigning. That being said, it isn't the most musically interesting track. Still very good though. (8/10)

Small Time Shot Away - Turns out I brushed over this one all those years ago. I was very surprised by it - honestly might be one of the Massive Attack essentials. Can't quite explain why it sounds so good to me, but I do feel like I could listen to it for hours. (9/10)

Name Taken - Perhaps it's because at this point I'm in a better mood, but this one just hits harder for me than I feel like it should. (7/10)

Antistar - Bringing the bounce back from 'Karmacoma'. Also fuck LP4, I ain't talking about that. (7/10)

Ranked:
1. Small Time Shot Away
2. Prayer For England
3. Butterfly Caught
4.Name Taken
5. Antistar
6. What Your Soul Sings
7. Future Proof
8. Special Cases
9. Everywhen

This feels like what Massive Attack sounds like to people who don't listen to Massive Attack. (6/10)