Blue Lines Review: The Birth of Trip-Hop
9.5/10 — Massive Attack - Blue Lines (1991)
Pros
- 'Unfinished Sympathy'
- Moody, cinematic production
- Fresh blend of genres
Cons
- A little samey
- Slight lyrics
Blue Lines was made by a collective of DJs and producers from Bristol, with vocals from Shara Nelson, Horace Andy and Tricky. It opened the door for the trip-hop scene.
What works
‘Unfinished Sympathy’ is a heart-stopping orchestral soul track, ‘Safe from Harm’ has a hypnotic bassline, and ‘Five Man Army’ shows the group’s hip-hop roots. The mood is moody and lush, and the production is cinematic.
Where it falters
A few tracks lean on a late-night vibe that can feel samey, and the lyrics are slight in places.
Verdict
A smooth, stylish and influential debut.
