Blue Lines Reviews

• Reflection on Blue Lines - 10 Years Later

  
  By A3HENZIOGH4P50 on 2003-10-30
  Review: Perhaps the smoothest, most rythmic album extant. Hypnotic, controlled, patient...the deep beat gently rocks you; the vocalists sing to you, about you, with you. The timing is pure; the feel natural, organic.

  History: With their roots in the Bristol, England, club scene of the early '80s, the members of Massive Attack originated trip-hop, one of the most influential sound sof the '90s, combining the rythmic urgency of hip-hop, the freewheeling samples of the DJ's craft, soul-rich melodies, and dub-reggae's hebty, intoxicating bottom end. The group began in 1983 as a loose collective of singers, rappers, DJs, and producers that stages parties under the name the Wild Bunch. Included in its ranks were Mushroom (Andrew Vowles) and Daddy G (Grant Marshall), as well as Nelleee Hooper (later of Soul II Soul, and a producer for Madonna, Bjork, and others), and Tricky. The Wild Bunch released a 1986 cover of Burt Bacharach's "The Look of Love," which became a European dance-club sensation, just as legal authorities began to clamp down on the Bristol party circuit. In 1987 graffiti artist 3-D (Robert Del Naja) joined Daddy G and Mushroom to form Massive Attack. A series of singles led to the 1991 release of Blue Lines, which featured an array of vocalists--including Shara Nelson, Tricky, and reggae singer Horace Andy--and promoted a somnambulatory beat that ran counter to the hyped-up dance rythms of techno.

  Importance: As a revolutionary force in music, this album is in the highest circle--with The White Album, Exile on Main Street, Astral Weeks, The Bends, The Velvet Underground and Nico, and the new Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, by Wilco.

  Further Listening: The only Massive Attack album which comes close to the pure form of Blue Lines is Mezzanine. Also, listen to Maxinquae, Tricky's best solo effort, and Dummy by Portishead, the other 'trip-hop' classic.
  
  

• Blue Lines IS Trip-Hop

  
  By A3MCOVA490T8SX on 2000-02-28
  The members (and producers) of Massive Attack will always be known as THE pioneers of the trip-hop genre. Blue Lines swirls with snare drum beats, soft bass guitar, and other instrumentation that flows through and through like a dream of peace and proserity. As one reviewer described the "positive" aspect of this album, Blue Lines is the kind of album that gives inner calm. I relaxed and meditated with this album for months. Massive Attack's debut produces a sedative effect on the listener, like soul food, and even brings back the spirit of the 1960's that everything within should promote your consciousness to being a peacemaker and peacegiver. Songs like "Hymn of the Big Wheel" describe the plight of man's short time on earth and how destiny shapes us all. "Be Thankful For What You've Got" is a motown remake set to a reggae sounding beat and soft record LP scratchin' (used in R&B and rap music), sounding much the same yet with modern vibe. "Unfinished Sympathy", a U.K. hit single from this album is painfully beautiful and lyrically stunning about the lover that hurt you, but yet you still want them back (which fades out with a piano solo) "Like a soul without a mind/ in a body without a heart/ I'm missin' every part" Every song on Blue Lines is a testament to the human existence (sex, love, for richer, for poorer, ecstasy, joy, remorse, jealousy, life...)
  
  

• Original, fresh, and the beginning of Massive Attack's power

  
  By A1OB5L3WMHJAD9 on 2001-04-23
  Released in 1990, BLUE LINES was the first LP by Massive Attack, a trio from Bristol that had colloborated together before, with others, as the Wild Bunch. The nine tracks of BLUE LINES hit contemporary music in the gut, creating a new style that was more melodic than hip-hop but still retaining a beat. Combining the soulful singing of Shara Nelson, the rapping of Grant Marshall and Robert Del Naja, and the reggae crooning of Horace Andy, this album was something new and exciting.

  More than ten years later, it's still an surprisingly fresh album. "Safe From Harm" deserves radio play still. The dialogue rapping "Daydreaming" continually amazes me. "Unfinished Sympathy" has retained its excitement, and DJs like Sasha still spin it.

  Massive Attack's first album, and just as good as the two since released.
  
  

• Massive Attack's Stunning Debut

  
  By on 1999-04-12
  Beautiful. Danceable. Innovative. Just a few words that describe Massive Attack's debut album "Blue Lines." I'm not really sure why everyone is raving about "Mezzanine" because I found it to be quite a step down from "Blue Lines" and "Protection."

  The album features slow bass beats, club beats, the soulful vocals of Shara Nelson and Horace Andy, and the rapping of Tricky (Kid) and 3-D. Every song has a voice of its own. "One Love" is a features twists and turns and a beautiful piano at the end. The title track features soothing spoken word. "Be Thankful..." and "Unfinished Sympathy" are two gorgeous, swelling tracks. A club beat dominates "Daydreaming," which also benefits from the vocals of Shara Nelson. And what on Mezzanine can match Horace Andy's soulful prayer on "Hymn of the Big Wheel?"

  I've been disappointed with Massive's turn towards the darker moods. "Protection" was incredible too, but "Blue Lines" the best of all. Skip "Mezzanine" and cheer up! I hope this group moves toward an innovative future that continues in the tradition of their past releases.

  Check out the Import single of "Unfinished Sympathy" as well.
  
  

• A classic in every sense of the word

  
  By A3ULWD9QSZJEOC on 2001-09-25
  Massive Attack's debut introduced the rhythms of trip-hop to the music world, and even if we ignore its historical importance, it is still a masterpiece of its genre. While "Mezzanine" boasts several stronger tracks ("Angel", "Risingson", "Teardrop"), they have never matched the consistent brilliance of their debut.

  The album begins with "Safe From Harm", immediately setting the trip-hop blueprint: soulful vocals, stoned rapping and hazy beats. From that point on, the pace never slows down. The group takes us on an amazingly varied trip, ranging from the dub-influenced "Five Man Army" (featuring none other than reggae legend Horace Andy's exquisite falsetto) to the dance classic "Unfinished Sympathy". The title track is equally worthy of praise, making the connection to hip-hop even more explicit courtesy of Tricky, himself a member of Massive Attack at the time.

  While the production may sound slightly dated to modern ears, the songwriting and vocals are simply timeless. There is no doubt this album will receive even more recognition in the future and once you hear it yourself, you will easily realize why. Simply essential.
  
  

• Five Man Army
  By APDN3H5H22Z3G on 2000-08-28
  I bought "Blue Line" album after listening to Massive's 1998 release "Mezzanine" and was not impressed at first. I read that it was an essential album that influenced to whole trip hop genre (though critics and trip hoppers also site Smith & Mighty as the first) and that it was a classic. The two albums are quite far apart in style and tone. Mezzanine being, dark, edgy and heavy, Blue Lines more easy, neutral and urban.

  Now that I've had Blue Lines for a while and have all three Massive releases to compare it to, I see it for what it is worth. It sound more urban than their other two albums with soul, rap, reggae and R&B influences. I think the male vocals in Blue Lines are more impressive than the male vocals on Protection. Tracks like "blue lines", "five man army" and "daydreaming" are great. "Safe from Harm" is a decent opener with Sara Nelson's soulful voice over a smooth bass guitar. It's not edgy and dramatic like Mezzanine or trys to be slick like Protection but it is an essentially, cool recording. So pick it up and hear how they sounded in the early day of trip hop.
  
  

• Revolutionary; to compare it to the other 2 is futile..
  By on 1999-04-24
  I've been an MA fan since '94. I own all three albums, as well as No Protection and the Singles Collection. Massive Attack, aside from being insanely talented, switch formulas from album to album, which is why it's pointless to compare the albums to each other. Moreover, many of the latecomers who think Mezzanine is MA's best are oblivious to the beauty and texture of "Protection" and "Blue Lines". (You can't get to C by ignoring A and B.)

  Now as far as "Blue Lines" goes, what can be said that hasn't been said already? Eight years after it's release, this album still stands as a masterpiece of "trip-hop" (I loathe that term.) The groove is melodic, built from fragments of hip-hop, soul, and reggae. One of the best things about the album is the harmonizing of Shara Nelson. She brings depth to everything she touches, whether it's the opener "Safe From Harm" ('but if you take what's mine/I'll sure as hell retaliate...'), "Unfinished Sympathy" (a Radio 1 favorite, with a hip-hop bassline and orchestral strings), or "Daydreaming", the 1990 single that _really_ started it all. The verbal exchanges between 3D, Daddy G, and a young Tricky are also witty (listen to the way 3D pronounces 'vitamin' on "Daydreaming".) And how can I leave out Horace Andy. From his work here, it's easy to see why he's been a mainstay ever since. (IMHO, however, "Spying Glass" is Horace at his best.)

  All in all, this is a gem. It singlehandedly gave birth to a sound that matured with each passing album.
  
  

• Blue lines is anything but blue
  By A2LDDPVRAG8BJR on 2002-01-16
  Arrogant, pretentious, self-absorbed. These harsh adjectives have been used to describe Massive Attack lately. But for all of the harsh words thrown their way, they sure make one hell of a CD. This is it. The originator, the innovator, the percolator of trip-hop. And what a CD it is. At first listen, some songs are great, while others are obnoxious. Some you wish would go on forever, while others go overlong. But as you listen, the album sticks to you like white on rice.

  I'm not fan of giving CD's five stars. But Blue Lines is truly a masterpeice. It takes the best elements of reggae, house, hip-hop, funk, and soul and puts them in a blender. Every song, with the help of a number of guest vocalists, sounds completely different from the last. The album has a cohesiveness that few albums share nowadays. This is truly a record that can be appreciated as an entire record, front-to-back, rather than just a compilation of songs.

  High points: Too many to count. Safe From Harm is a stellar and spacey opener, with One Love following it up with a brilliant reggae vibe. Five man Army could be the mellowest hip-hop song in history, and Unfinished Sympathy evokes feelings that had not yet been seen in electronic music.

  Low points: I wish I could say that there aren't any, but Daydreaming (the first single, no less) can get a little repetitive, as can Lately, but that hardly keeps it from being a perfect album. If you are a music fan and can stand to listen to equipment that's a little outdated. Do not hesitate. buy now.
  
  

• Blue Lines is a New Classic
  By A3LWHTGUFOLH6C on 2000-04-16
  This is the first CD from Massive Attack and though their subsequent efforts are just as fine, it is Blue Lines that still outshines and sets the musical standard for the '90s and beyond. Never have I heard an album mix rap, reggae, dub, pop, dance, club and R&B so homogeneously, that it practically reinvents a new sonic vocabulary. Every song is surprisingly brilliant and authentic with one misstep (I'm not very fond of "Five Man Army"). () While various vocalists are featured on all the tracks, the album maintains its sense of uniformity through the experimental and modern sheen of its sound; keyboard blips, thick vibrating bass lines, piano, violin, etc. are all funneled through a Cuisinart and the results are still truly astonishing today. Keep an open ear for Shara Nelson's haunting vocals on "Safe from Harm", "Lately" and "Unfinished Sympathy", or Horace Andy's reggae warble on "One Love". Blue Lines is highly recommendable; you'll be a Massive Attack fan before the close of the last track.
  
  
• Blue Lines - how did it take me eight years to buy you!
  By on 1999-08-28
  I saw Massive Attack live at the V99 festival in Chelmsford, England, and they were breathtaking. I already owned Mezzanine and I felt compelled to finally buy their debut album, Blue Lines. What an album, I can hardly believe it is eight years old, it sounds as fresh, cutting-edge and relevant now as it ever has. The album is musically brilliant, differing textures, dynamics and, above all, pure atmosphere, on the stand-out tracks Safe From Harm and Unfinished Sympathy, the bittersweet love song for the 90s. The inventive turntabling by Mushroom stands out on One Love and the impacable cool of Blue Lines with its marvellous chilled-out backing and smooth and relaxed rapping by 3d, Daddy G and Tricky Kid (as he was known then) is unmissable. Fittingly, it ends with a triumphant anthem, Hymn of the Big Wheel, a message of hope and eternity. I can't believe I missed this album for 8 years. Don't make the mistake I did, buy it now!
  
  
• I probably should have bought this before Mezzanine...
  By A2UQIQUOAB47OT on 2006-09-04
  ...I might like it a little better.
  
  There is a good chance you will recognize some of the songs on this disc and not realize it was Massive Attack. I have heard some of the songs on movie soundtracks to commercials. Blue Lines is what I would call "Trip Hop". Trip Hop was more of a result of the 12 inch single boom of the late 80s through the early 90s. Remixers would extend traditional singles and the Trip Hop genre basically came out of that. Massive Attack were one of the first to take this as their style.
  
  Here's the problem, I purchased Mezzanine based on some outside reviews I read. I liked Mezzanine so much I had to get other Massive Attack discs. I was mildly let down, Blue Lines included. Its not because Blue Lines is bad, its because Mezzanine is that good.
  
  If Mezzanine is your first Massive Attack disc and are debating whether to purchase others, my suggestion is to listen to the other Massive Attack discs and purchase the songs you like through download. Blue Lines is a solid effort in Trip Hop.
  
  
• One of the Best and Most Influential Albums of the 90's
  By on 1999-04-28
  Some might prefer the darker sound of Mezzanine and Protection's variations on a theme, but this is by far Massive Attack's best album. They sound like pale imitators of themselves on Protection and while almost anybody could have done Mezzanine, only Massive Attack could do Blue Lines. It has the best Massive Attack line-up: Shara Nelson, 3d, Tricky, Mushroom, Daddy G, and Horace Andy, under the leadership of Nellee Hooper, and every song is a masterpiece. My favorite tracks are the beguiling rap suites "Blue Lines", "Five Man Army", and "Daydreaming" and the beautiful final song "Hymn of the Big Wheel". It is the first time I had ever heard British rap, which is much more understated and positive than what we have in the U.S.
  
  
• Blue Lines are the reason why the temple had to shatter
  By A2T90CCCPWJN6R on 2002-08-29
  Reviewing an album of Massive Attack isn't the easiest job in the world, especially since it's their highly appreciated debut 'Blue Lines'. This album introduced to the world one of the most complete bands in the music history. The cd includes many different styles and that's why I'll try to analyze each song.

  Safe From Harm- The ideal opener. Shara Nelson's passionate vocals welcome us to the world of Massive Attack. The nice arrangements and 3d's whispered raps make the song perfect 5/5

  One Love- If the first song made you fall into trance in a dark room, it's time to take your clothes off and enjoy the everlasting sunshine. The first appearance of reggae singer Horace Andy. 4/5

  Blue Lines- The title track introduces the amazing cooperation of three rappers: Tricky, 3d and Daddy G. This song is very addictive, unlike some (American) gangsta (c)rap, it finds its way directly into your heart. 5/5

  Be Thankful For What You've Got- Quite a good reggae song but no more than that. Great filler stuff. 3/5

  Five Man Army- This song takes profit of Daddy G's brilliant deep voice. With Tricky in between, 'Five Man Army' is a true Massive Attack classic 5/5

  Unfinished Sympathy- As other reviewers had noticed before, this song had been praised by radio listeners as the best ever played on the radio. The only thing I can add: this song deserves it. There's hardly a voice out there sexier than Shara Nelson's. 5/5

  Daydreaming- Once again the rapper trio with Shara Nelson singing the chorus. Perfect. 5/5

  Lately- Another filler song though Shara Nelson's singing is beautiful and I like the bass here. 3/5

  Hymn Of The Big Wheel- a relaxed Horace Andy sings the album to its end. Although it's not the kind of song I like, this is a good closer. 3,5/5

  As big as my wish is to give Blue Lines 5 stars, I just can't do it. Massive Attack have created some great songs but this album has 2 filler songs out of nine. Still, Blue Lines is worth your money.
  
  

• Ahead of its time
  By A3PRA92WH24ZH3 on 2006-08-04
  Hard to believe Blue Lines is an album from 1991. Taking elements from hip-hop beats, adding dub and ambient effects, plus a few rap rhymes and vocalists created the genre known as "trip-hop". What impresses most is the vision and creativity from Massive Attack to produce an album with such timeless and amazing sounds that it still sounds brand new 15 years later.
  
  An essential recording. Few albums produce the ambience that Blue Lines creates. Blue Lines is the soundtrack of an urban landscape, it turns elements of city life into sounds, a soundscape of the city. From a musical standpoint there is no argument against the genius of this album, looking at it 15 years from its release date only adds more greatness to it.
  
  
• The Birthplace of a Legendary Group and Sound...
  By A3F62A3AWUY6Z on 2001-05-30
  Massive Attacks first album is one that has as much meaning, intrigue and depth now, that it did 10 years ago. Its amazing to think that they compiled such an audaciously new and different sound so long ago. They have since added to their deserved reputation with Protection and Mezzanine (both awesome).

  This album is full of different sounds, samples and oozes with cool. The inclusion of Shara Nelson and Tricky adds to its overall completeness.

  This albums is steeped in 70's funk influence and dubby reggae sound, with the bass line of "Safe From Harm" coming from a 70's track called Stratus and "Be Thankful For What You Got" is an orginal 70's funk song in its entirety.

  Each song/track on this album is in its correct place as the album flows smoothly, and sometimes without respite ("Blue Lines" into "Be Thankful For What You Got") allowing the total absorption of ones mind and body into the rich dub bass, hip hop rhymes and seductive sound.

  "Unfinished Symphony" is simply a breathtaking journey of a song that chews you up and spits you out with blissful elegance and grace. While the "Hymn Of The Big Wheel" lyrically glides you to the end of the album and off your chair with your placated mind begging for more.

  Its obvious that Massive Attack make a great team with their sound and individual input making this album the modern classic that it is. It deserves all the credit it gets; a must buy! Lets hope we dont have to wait too much longer for another masterpiece from the Bristol Massive!
  
  

• I WAS LOOKIN' BACK TO SEE.....
  By A2SB88TGQL07MJ on 2000-03-22
  Having read all of the prior reviews of this record - and having agreed with the majority - there is very little that I can add that hasn't already been said. This is a superb recording by one of the most forward-thinking bands performing today. For those of you who have yet to experience MA "live"...please, do yourself a favor the next time they are in your town. I have been a Massive Attack fan from the beginning, and have enjoyed all of their records.... but seeing them in concert came close to changing my life! At the very least, it changed my concept of live performance. Finally....resist the impulse to compare Blue Lines to either Protection or Mezzanine (also a masterpiece! ). Massive Attack understand what too few artists today comprehend - that music is an evolution - and each record is simply a chapter on that road. Buy them all - love them all!
  
  
• i was not impressed
  By A1B4BSQXW8NKHF on 2006-01-17
  While this album is the most highly lauded of the long and amazing career of Massive Attack, it left me disappointed, prehaps because of all the hype I had heard about it before listening. Sure, safe From harm and Five Man Army are nice tracks but don't expect them to just knock you flat like 'Angel' or 'Black Milk' from Mezzanine did for me.
  
  The production, owing to its age of course, definitely has that 'eighties' edge to it which I dislike; and there are a couple songs which I just can't STAND! 'Be Thankful for What You've Got' has to be the most annoyingly whiny song Massive Attack have ever made!! And there are too many that just failed to impress or were overshadowed by later, more refined productions on Mezzanine.
  
  Bottom line: if you're a fan of Massive Attack because of Mezzanine, like i was, you might be hugely disappointed. In any case, don't buy the hype; after 4-5 listens I still can't see what everyone's raving about. Good, yeah, but not great.
  
  
• Epic
  By A2KXYTVJO0XFNO on 2006-06-07
  This is one of the greatest first albums, it still sounds fantastic after all these years, and in my opinion, better than everything since Protection
  
  
• Offers the best of everything
  By A1HAL6ZQ8MUJSD on 2001-06-14
  Being the chronologically backwards guy I am, I listened to Mezzanine before I listened to this, and I loved every single song on it. In my collection of about 100 albums, Mezzanine would easily rank in the top 10, possibly top 5. It was the single most immaculately produced CD I have ever heard, the vocal performances were out of this world, and the songs were great too. Massive's debut 'Blue Lines' also features the great vocals and wonderful genre-twisting, moody, soulful songs of its latest album, but being 7 years behind Mezzanine, it isn't quite as perfect in the production department. Not that this is a complaint - when the music is this original, melodic and milk chocolatey smooth, the CD isn't dependent on superior production. The music contains the raw emotion of retro-70's soul, the mellow quality of reggae, and the strong beats and vocal exchanges of hiphop, all melded into one seamless, natural, unique sound. The album, only 9 songs long, has created its own genre of "trip-hop", which is a commendable achievement. My only complaints - the title track doesn't quite grab my attention, and the repetitive beats and bass line of track 8 'Lately' just sounds kinda cheesy to me. Still, 7 of the 9 songs are works of art. Standouts include the strong opener 'Safe From Harm', the R&B influenced 'Be Thankful For What You Got', the strings-drenched 'Unfinished Sympathy', as well as the Horace Andy-led 'One Love' and the profound 'Hymn Of The Big Wheel'. But best of all is what is possibly the mellowest hip-hop song ever written in 'Five Man Army'. The vocal exchanges are superb, and Daddy G is always a treat for the ears. The flow of this song is unmatched by artists that are strictly hip-hop. And there is no vocalist quite like Horace. Believe everything you've heard about this album - it is truly a work of art (save for 2 tracks). This is Massive's crowning achievement, if only because its their debut, and deserves a spot in everybody's music library. If you don't like this, you don't like music.
  
  
• Best album of the 90s ?
  By AYDTWA3A2SJWI on 2005-03-24
  The first time I heard "Unfinished Sympathy" I remember turning my head, wide eyed, towards the radio and
  asking myself "What the hell is that !?" This Bristol Wildbunch's release left me speechless.
  Did we forget what a breath of fresh air "Blue Lines" was ? It is possibly the best album I own (certainly of the 90s). It moved me and it continues to do so. It was nothing short of revolutionary, uplifting (certainly compared to later releases) and it withstands the test of time surprisingly well.
  I am puzzled at some of the harsh things some had to say about "Lines". This album is essential.
  
  
• Essential Listening
  By AEYQVUIWJVQIK on 2004-11-16
  When the liquid bass line and seductive female vocals on Safe From Harm flooded into my stereo, I was immediately hooked. The first offering from Massive Attack is a genre defining and genre smashing classic. This music became known as trip hop, and this is the first classic trip hop album.
  The musical styles reach from r&b and soul (Safe From Harm, Lately), to hip hop (Blue Lines, Daydreaming), to dub (Five Man Army) and dance (Unfinished Symphony).
  This is the most soulful of the Massive Attack albums, mainly due to Shaara Nelsons vocal talents. This also has a more organic sound than Protection or Mezzanine.
  Though I prefer Mezzanine for it's relentless and claustrophobic sound, Blue Lines is a classic album. A must have for any serious music fan. Keep an open mind and you won't be disapointed.
  
  
• The founders of trip-hop deliver a masterpiece! Most people will like it a lot!
  By A3G10NPD661EQD on 2006-01-02
  With their classic "Blue Lines" Massive Attack introduced trip-hop into the world with an extremely entertaining and mostly consistent album (the track "One Love" is the weakest one - the guy's voice really gets annoying). This kind of album falls into the league as The Beatles first albums and Run-D.M.C.'s "Run-D.M.C." in terms of how influential it was to the music industry. Every track here is not only original but also very entertaining. There's about 4 or 5 different vocalists that appear throughout the album, and although the one off "One Love" is arguably the weakest, the rest are very good (Tricky is my personal favorite, he does the "Blue Lines" song). The lyrics are also very good - you'll end up liking a lot of the songs in that regard. If you're a hip-hop fan you'll love this album. If you are a casual music fan there's a high probability you'll love this album. A highly influential album that hasn't aged a day (although the sound quality could use a remastering). Definitely recommended! If you like this you'll love their other album "Mezzanine" and most likely Portishead's "Portishead".
  
  Highlights include:
  everything except for "One Love" (it's annoying) and "Lately"
  
  
• Get yer groove on . . .
  By A19YHEBK099R7U on 2005-04-28
  This is very cool, laid back groove soul/occasional dub raggae with sweet singing, smooth rapping, some killer bass lines and samples. Unfortunately they go in for some typically meat-headed rap brags in a few places ("My AK rig goes boom boom!") but no matter. Personally, I love Massive's MEZZANINE and the early solo albums "Tricky Kid" went on to make much more. MEZZANINE is thicker, darker and more sensuous and I think the songs are even better overall. I just LOVE that "trip-hop" style and it's much deeper on MEZZANINE. It's deeper, baby! Apparently, a lot of people on this forum have a problem with this particular point of view. Screw 'em!
  
  
• Still setting the benchmark...
  By ARIGEPPV20T3L on 2004-05-02
  Massive Attack -Blue Lines. I first heard this album about 2 months after it was released in 1991 when my sister bought a copy. I sat down and listened to the album from start to finnish, i loved it. No, i mean I LOVED IT! I knew from that moment that i was listening to a ground breaking album.

  To produce a volume of work of this quality and vision in 1991 was incredible when you consider some of the tosh that was floating around then. For it still to be great, fresh at every listen over a decade on, tells its own story. I still listen to this album at least once a week, i enjoy new music and have some other classics that rate up there, but this album makes me shiver with delight. It's a classic...end of story. Anyone who cannot see this may as well go grab a muti pack, discount bundle of Britney Spears & Robbie Williams albums and catch a first class ticket to musical hell.
  
  

• They need six stars for this!
  By on 2002-02-18
  Anybody reading millenial lists of albums/music/etc of the past 1000 years will have noticed this title sneaking into the top ten in several places. Considering that it was up against, to name but a few, Beethoven, the Beatles, Mozart and Mr Presley himself, this is a notable achievement.

  The album itself is nearly perfect, the only off bit being the final track, in my opinion. Blue Lines still sounds as fresh and contemporary today as it did when released in 1991. As the intervening years have seen the birth and death of acid jazz, trance, girl power, boy bands, the final whimper from Acid House, and currently the mainstream popularity and almost inevitable fall of Nu-metal, this timeless quality would seem to be the satisfaction of one of the first criteria of true greatness.
  
  Go out and buy this; I genuinely believe that this album will still be being talked about in twenty, fifty and probably a hundred years, and will still be as popular then as it is now.
  
  

• It's never too late
  By A3TXYHARLZMKXU on 2000-06-06
  Sure, Blue Lines is ten years old. But maybe you came to the party late in the evening. Maybe you heard "Teardrop" from Massive Attack's phenomenal 1998 Mezzanine. Or maybe, like me, you first got glimpses of greatness in 3D's collaboration with Thom Yorke and UNKLE on Rabbit In Your Headlights. Now take the plunge and go back to where it all began, the magnificent Blue Lines.

  Why? For sophisticated, elegant Trip-Hop. For a window onto the genre before other groups ground it to a pulp. For Tricky and 3D in utero! The sound is so smoothe and lush and Black-Tie, the mix so knife-edged digital, so "skip-hip data"...

  The title "Blue Lines" segues brilliantly into the buttery soul of "Be Thankful for What You've Got". Pop it in the car CD and then drive up the coast at 1 a.m like I did once. Watch the moon bounce off the waves, while Tricky and 3D rap back and forth. Grin from ear to ear. Be thrilled you're alive. Life rarely is this enjoyable.
  
  

• THE ALBUM THAT STARTED "TRIP-HOP"!
  By on 2000-02-05
  Even though this album is almost ten years old it still is one of the best albums of all time! My favorite tracks are unfinished symphony, daydreaming and blue lines. DONT FORGET THIS ALBUM BECAUSE IT IS OLD BECAUSE IT'S STILL GOLD!
  
  
• Unbelievably sensuous and haunting...terrific silky grooves!
  By A19J0TYRVML3HU on 1999-12-10
  Definitely one of the landmark albums of the 1990's, "Blue Lines" is a major achievement transcending r and b into a whole other dimension. "Unfinished Sympathy" is, to me, the highlight of this superb album...gorgeous vocals...otherworldly music...a flawless song. Along with other songs on the album, especially "Safe From Harm", "One Love", and "Blue Lines", this album is a one of a kind...I haven't heard much music similar to this style...and I like them like this...Massive Attack stands out in an industry filled with manufactured pop...this is a breath of fresh air...
  
  
• Totally wonderful
  By on 1998-05-07
  Best album of the 90s, no question. Transcends genres. Great first track. Their best album.
  
  
• Whoa!
  By A2E3IB2ZHJ7QXJ on 2007-10-02
  Trip-Hop is basically hip-hop with a bit more substance than your average gangster record (those actually do have substance as well), and way more musical merit than any _________ rap artist out there today. Being released in 1991 makes it even cooler, but aside from the ahead of it's time bull_______ (influence had no impact on me whatsoever when deciding to get this), it's an awesome record on it's own. THe music is just so sublime. Trippy beats, deep basslines, samples of pianos, strings, effects, paired with dark urban raps, with soulful vocals that soar through the air. Can't argue with that.
  
  The songs on here have the urban vibe that I alwayas mention, but it is very _________ difficult to explain in words. No worries, the music is great anywhere, Blue Line really comes out in the downtown rain. IT's also great music that serves as great chilling music. Don't even treat this as backround music, this may be one of the most enganging albums to actually LISTEN to I have come across this year. I've listened to quite the many perfect classic albums this year.
  
  This album is always changing, always keeping your interest. From Safe From Harm, Five Man Army, the masterful Unfinished Symphony, and the coolest of them all, Daydreaming, every song on here rocks. Definitly a perfect album. Not a minute wasted. I prefer it over Entroducing... by DJ Shadow. That album also is another great album from beggining to end. Electronic music really does have soul. Way more emotion than Nirvana ever will have.
  
  10/10
  
  

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