Massive Attack - Protection

Protection is the second studio album by English trip-hop group Massive Attack, originally released in September 1994 by Circa Records through Virgin Records.

Following up their stunning debut Blue Lines was never going to be easy. Still, from the first two songs Protection sounds worthy of their debut. By bringing new musical ideas to the table, Protection was a step up in terms of focus and direction. While not as diverse as Blue Lines, it fits together far better and has, its own unique sound.

With Protection, Massive Attack moved slightly from the soul and hip-hop influences that defined their debut, while not removed they are evident more as influences. Protection also includes something new, instrumentals. Excellent instrumentals they are too, making a valuable contribution to the album, as well as competing towards being some of the album's best tracks.

Each song on Protection is memorable. The opening title track is pure excellence, with melancholy keyboards, throbbing acid lines, and fragmented beats perfectly complementing the transcendent vocals of Tracey Thorn. Other standouts include the mind-blowing “Heat Miser”, "Karmacoma", and "Eurochild".

While Protection doesn’t get much credit these days, being chronologically placed in between two near perfect albums (Blue Lines and Mezzanine), it’s still an impressive album.

Check out the tracks: “Sly”; “Protection” and “Karmacoma”.

This reissued LP with digital download is pressed in Europe on 180 gram heavyweight vinyl.