December 28, 1 9 9 5 - January 4, 1 9 9 6

**1/2 Massive Attack

PROTECTION

(Virgin)

In the words of critic Greg Tate, Massive Attack's 1991 debut Blue Lines was "as prophetic, poetic and cunning an album as any since Bitches Brew or Public Image's Second Edition." Now that the "trip hop" scene that Blue Lines helped found is well-established, nobody is making such claims for the Bristol crew's second collection of cross-cultural, ambient dance music. Compared to the latest by former Massive Attack member Tricky, its beats are soft, its textures generic, its field trips safe and comfy.

But if that's a disappointment to an original fan like Tate, it hardly matters to a newcomer like me. In fact, judged for functional value rather than historical significance, I prefer Protection's controlled smoothness to Blue Lines's eclectic innovation. With one track of dub-style reggae and two each of sotto voce rap, instrumental hypno-groove, ethereal art-disco, and aching soul music (sung by Tracey Thorne of Everything But the Girl), it ebbs and flows with a sad tenderness that's nice while making dinner and perfect while making out. Too bad they douse the mood at the end with a goofy live cover; ironically, it's "Light My Fire."

-- Franklin Soults