Customer Reviews

Special Cases

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As the first single from Massive Attack's fourth album, "Special Cases" provides an appropriate bridge between MA's previous sound and the more ambient feel of 100th Window. Sinead O'Connor brings the sultry female vocal, which plays nicely over heavy bass and twisted strings. The Akufen remix turns the song on its head by transforming it into a drum-n-bass style rave up. Best of all for diehard fans is the inclusion of "I Against I" MA's contribution to 2002's "Blade II" soundtrack, which features a riveting performance by Mos Def and the band's sizzling production. These treats, plus an alternate version for the "Special Cases" video make this a more than worthy purchase for MA fans.

This single is worth getting just for I Against I alone. Truly inspiring and totally crushes anything on 100th Window. Period. Being a true Massive Attack fan from way back, I tried and tried to get into 100th Window but found it to be trying too hard and lost in its attempt at being "different". I Against I (featuring another incredible peformance by Mos Def) has all the qualities that make a Massive Attack track: production, drive, vision, and hunger. Special Cases is simply alright. Massive Attack has set the bar that unfortunately can work against them. I love that they challenge my listening but unfortunately 100th Window, despite its attention to detail, is so insular in its views that it needs to open up and share its vision with the world.
Buy this single for I Against I and the video, forget 100th Window, and wait (in hope) for their next album.