Blue Lines: 2012 Mix/Master
by Massive Attack
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Nov 19, 2012
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 65
  3. Negative: 2 out of 65
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  1. WellDun01
    Mar 20, 2020
    9
    One of the greatest debuts of all time with one of the greatest openings of all time. The fact that this is approaching 30 years old is breathtaking. My only qualm is with "Be thankful for what you've got", just an unnecessary cover of a certified banger, but it's a small bump in an otherwise amazing album.
  2. judd_graham
    Oct 8, 2018
    10
    An album that stills sounds very modern and refreshing, even 27 years after its release! Recommend.
  3. lordcycy
    Nov 16, 2013
    9
    Not my favorite album from Massive Attack, but then again, freakin' amazing! I wasn't convinced but the first few tracks, but there is a crescendo in the album. It is to listen on repeat at least a month in your life. Even though I prefer Protection and Mezzanine but to hell with that, you shall not pass over this one.
  4. perUmbram
    Oct 29, 2013
    10
    Stands at the beginning of a style that still doesn't sound outdated. It's angsty, it's desperate, it's gloomy and it's downright beautiful. Occasional orchestral instrumentations, piano jazz-riffs and glorified sadness make the picture complete.
  5. CriticDark
    Apr 16, 2013
    10
    When i start to listen to this album i thought this will be a massive hit the samples and the beats are beautiful and i cannot forgot that song unfinished sympathy such a 90s classic....
  6. BENNEB
    Jan 16, 2013
    10
    Super awesome. A remake at its best. Although Massive Attack has a lot to catch up over Heligoland, this album, which is one of the best in decades, has never been better!
  7. cidersuspect
    Dec 12, 2012
    10
    One of the great albums of the past 25 years unquestionably. Hugely influential. I think this is their best one, with Mezzanine also worthy of a mention. Can we please stop calling it 'trip-hop' though? The artist themselves (along with fellow innovaters from the mid 1990s Portishead) constantly state their dislike of this labelling of their music. Just sit back, relax and enjoy.
  8. rydermusic
    Dec 10, 2012
    9
    The Trip-Hop at its greatest. Original, beautiful and catchy, these are the elements that make a successful album. 20 years later he is still innovative and feels even talk about it.
  9. tylerstravis
    Dec 6, 2012
    8
    I am not nostalgic on this one. Massive Attack is simply my most listened to artist for the past twenty years never very long without a play. Is this album a masterpiece? Damn right it is! Is this mix an improvement? No, no it's not unfortunately. I found the album to be a casualty of the loudness wars. I am really missing out of the high cracks of the highs here and the punch of theI am not nostalgic on this one. Massive Attack is simply my most listened to artist for the past twenty years never very long without a play. Is this album a masterpiece? Damn right it is! Is this mix an improvement? No, no it's not unfortunately. I found the album to be a casualty of the loudness wars. I am really missing out of the high cracks of the highs here and the punch of the drums when you really crank it up. I just leaves me feeling a bit muddy in the head. Do yourself a favor, go grab the original and crank it up!… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
98

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Magnet
    Jan 4, 2013
    90
    A ground-breaking debut, an original game-changer, a true, flawless, 24-carat triumph. [No. 94, p.60]
  2. Under The Radar
    Dec 21, 2012
    95
    Today though, with the skyline dominated by the likes of Kanye West and Plan B on their respective sides of the Atlantic, to hear this genuinely groundbreaking group in such magnificent high definition is probably the closest we're going to get to going back to any of today's megastar's roots.
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  3. Paste Magazine
    Dec 11, 2012
    90
    No bonus tracks, no live filler--no reason to mess around when the perfection was in the pacing.
    Read full review
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