Massive Attack: Trip (hop) down Memory Lane

There are some songs that speak the language of your soul. They cradle and soothe your spirit. You have no choice but to like them, for your being has decreed it so--they speak its language, not yours.

For me, these include Lamb's "Gabriel", Portishead's "Roads", Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb", Radiohead's "Idioteque", Gorillaz's "Tomorrow Comes Today", and Massive Attack's "Teardrop." All are staples in my late-night soundtrack. All hit me where it hurts. I have listened to them countless times while burrowed in bed, as worldly preoccupations are banished from consciousness and sprightly candlelit shadows dance on walls.

These are musical poems I dream of experiencing live. So, when the opening notes of "Teardrop" were heard on Friday night--that unmistakable, unrelenting stutter of a beat--my heart stopped. Then the track's hypnotic harpsichord riff trickled in and I began to feel lightheaded. When, finally, the shimmering, fragile coo of Elizabeth Fraser blossomed into song, I just about lost it. For the next few minutes, the whole world stopped and I melted. It was bliss.

It's been 50-odd hours and I'm still reeling from Friday's Massive Attack show.

From the turbo-charged full band and trio of dream-come-true vocalists, to the mind-blowing LED visuals and exquisite set pacing, it was one hell of a night.

The posh Carlu--and an extremely well-heeled crowd, I might add--welcomed Robert "3D" Del Naja, Grant "Daddy G" Marshall and entourage. Three vocalists and a full band (including two drums) were on hand to resurrect the alluring, atmospheric and brooding melodies of the Bristol trip hop pioneers. An insane light display, synched perfectly with the music, took the experience to another level. Only the blackened silhouettes of group members were visible, shifting the focus from the performers to the performance at large.

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