Domingo 20 Sep 2009, 10:25

Thu 17 Sept, 2009
Fri 18 Sept, 2009

I think I preferred the show on the 17th to the one on the 18th, though this may be because of Damon Albarn's performance, and for that alone. The shows themeselves were pretty even. I preferred Teardrop on the first night, and Karmacoma on the second

First of all, a confession: I know nothing of Martina Topley-Bird except that in which she is credited - wrongly - as "Martine"; so this was a nice introduction to her stuff. I enjoyed her performance. She is engaging to watch, and Black Steel being performed with Shlomo was a definite highlight, as was watching her amazingly talented percussionist, Fergus.

Second of all, a minor negative remark: After the awesomeness of Bulletproof Love, I thought Heartcliff Star was a bit of - not a poor opener - but maybe not engaging? But hey people with way more knowledge of these things thought it was a good choice, so I'll just shut up. It's tainted my view of the track maybe. But I'm excited to hear it on the record, as I think I'll probably really like it.

Third, some controversy: I liked the new Teardrop mix. I also liked Martina singing it. I preferred the performance on night one, but I did genuinely enjoy it - including the backing video.

Fourth, a stark truth: As fans, we want Massive Attack to keep producing new material. The more new material they produce, the less and less of Mezzanine will be aired live. This means everyone's gonna have to get used to the fact that the Mezzanine-heavy shows of yore are probably over. Deal.

16 Seater is an awesome track, as is Dobro, and I am glad both have survived; especially as my current thinking has 16 Seater as my favourite Horace Andy collaboration. Martina's voice lends itself rather well to Dobro, and it's set me to wondering if she's there as a "live vocalist" or if she is now the recording vocalist for the track on LP5.
The new Marrakesh is a poor cousin of the one played at the Meltdown shows, and needs to morph back, now please - that's my only sore point of the whole night, both nights. Probably because of how truly I love that particular track. It was probably my highlight of the Meltdown shows - from the opening bars, it became a firm favourite of mine.
Psyche was enjoyable, but I definitely prefer the mix on the EP. The sheer urgency of the track is missing in the live mix, though it's still beautiful. And here's another small controversy: I like Splitting the Atom. I liked it from my first couple of back-to-back listens and I like it even more live.

Horace was on top bloody form both nights, all night. Angel was a total success and Angelo was on fucking fire. Seriously, it's hard to say which one that song belongs to. It's a marriage.
Martina, as a guest vocalist, I couldn't be happier with. She has a superb vocal range…and vocal style. I not only really enjoyed listening to her, but actually watching her perform, as well. I'm so glad she has (however temporarily) moved into the MA camp.
Deborah did a fantastic job, as you'd expect, but Safe From Harm kicked Unfinished Sympathy right off the stage, for me. God, it is so good live. They all did an awesome job on it - including (and I'm not being facetious) D's dancing during the climactic instrumental finale. Unbelievable.

Inertia Creeps was probably the second biggest crowd-pleaser of the night (after Angel), and it's normally my Mezzanine highlight, though Risingson totally took it for me on these shows.

Damon Albarn's guest appearance was brilliant. I loved his interjection during Splitting The Atom, and really enjoyed Saturday Comes Slow. It's a great new track and one I hope is on LP5 when it emerges.

D, both nights, was tight. He looked to be having a good time and was being incredibly expressive to all he was sharing a stage with. It felt good just watching him and how he was receiving his fellows. That kinda interaction is infectious and it feels amazing just to see it in action. G seemed comfortable and was on form, again being quite a part of the whole. The vocals of both were there and totally what you'd hope for.

Karmacoma was saved by the comedy pause, which has been getting longer and longer these past years. Watch-check indeed. There alone is the evidence that they are both, together.