The year was 1998, and the trip-hop movement was at its peak. Bristolian trio Massive Attack, fronted by Robert del Naja, released their third

“Mezzanine” was a departure from the band’s earlier work, which was more heavily influenced by dub and reggae. However, like their previous two albums, “Blue Lines” and “Protection,” it was a collaboration with various guest artists, including Elizabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins and reggae legend Horace Andy.

The album opens with the haunting instrumental “Angel,” a track that sets the tone for the rest of the record. It’s dark, moody, and features a sample from the Velvet Underground’s “I Can’t Stand It,” which adds an eerie quality to the sound. The song’s video, directed by Walter Stern and starring actress Nathalie Richard, is a dystopian work of art, featuring molten silver and scenes of violence.

The second track, “Risingson,” is driven by a pulsating bassline and del Naja’s ominous vocals. It features guest MC Tricky, who raps about his own struggles with drug addiction. “Teardrop,” the album’s most well-known song, is a beautiful and melancholic ballad featuring Fraser’s ethereal singing. The song was later used as the theme song for the medical drama “House.”

Other standout tracks on the album include “Inertia Creeps,” with its trip-hop beat and dreamlike production, and “Dissolved Girl,” which blends del Naja’s rap verses with a haunting melody. “Man Next Door,” featuring Andy, is a dub-influenced track that showcases his unique voice and talent.

What makes “Mezzanine” such a timeless album is its ability to take listeners on a journey. It’s a dark and brooding album that’s perfect for late-night listening, yet it’s also deeply introspective and personal. Del Naja’s lyrics deal with themes of addiction, lust, and mortality, and his rapping is both poetic and powerful.

The album’s production is also top-notch, with Massive Attack experimenting with different techniques and sounds. They used live musicians, such as drummer Andy Gangadeen, and incorporated various samples, including those from Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” on “Group Four” and Isaac Hayes’ “Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic” on “Mezzanine.”

In terms of its impact, “Mezzanine” marked a turning point for trip-hop, as well as for electronic music as a whole. It was the first album released through Virgin’s V2 imprint and was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK charts and selling over four million copies worldwide. It also garnered critical acclaim, with many calling it one of the best albums of the ’90s.

Looking back over two decades later, “Mezzanine” remains a timeless classic. It’s an album that’s both haunting and beautiful, poignant and powerful. It’s an essential addition to any music lover’s collection and a testament to the creative genius of Massive Attack.

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