27th September 1998 - Palladium, Los Angeles, USA

 

Angel
Risingson
Man Next Door
Day Dreaming
Teardrop
Karmacoma
Hymn Of The Big Wheel
Euro Zero Zero
Spying Glass
Mezzanine
One Love
Safe From Harm
Heat Miser
Inertia Creeps
Unfinished Sympathy
Group Four

Support from Lewis Parker

The typical American concert experience consists of grinding guitars, grinding vocals and grinding pyrotechnics. NONE of that was in evidence at the Palladium for one of the best shows this year, Massive Attack. Never has a name been so misleading, yet right on the mark. All hail the British.

Massive Attack prove less is more. On a somewhat chilly evening in Hollywood, all were treated to a night of warm beats wrapped around even warmer vocals. No video screens or legions of back-up dancers or any other trappings employed by successful bands. Tonight was about the music and the hearts and souls of the people behind that music. No less than three different members of Massive Attack handled lead vocal duties at various times and the band never missed a beat, effortlessly flowing from one member to another. Backing the outstanding vocals were a myriad of textured beats, loops and samples mixed in with some (barely noticeable at times) guitar for a welcome outing of Trip-Hop for the masses.

Rarely can a band combine the simplicity of synth music with the power of hip- hop beats to create anything listenable, much less enjoyable and then have the strength to expand upon it live. Massive Attack seem to be the ones chosen to do just that, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere of sensuality. Subdued enthusiasm was the theme of the evening. Not daring to step out of their collective shells, they still managed to unleash an unbridled display of passion unmatched by most. Underwhelming and overpowering...an interesting combination. Definitely not to be missed.

Review By:Robb Schiltz