Massive Attack, Tricky and 3D – “Take It There” (Singles Going Steady)

John Garratt: It’s nice when Massive Attack does more than just vamp for Tricky. Take away the vocals and you still have yourself an intoxicating trip-hop brew — in waltz time at that! Having said all that, the narrative arc of the video is lost on me (Drunk? Tired? Diseased? What?) and the spontaneous fits of dancing wander too close to Thriller and/or zombie fascination. Someone check in with that singing fetus from “Teardrop” for availability. [7/10]

Steve Horowitz: Life is a dance and then you die, at least according to the video. It tells a story of its own that probably has little to do with the musicians’ intentions, but the video is really good. The song itself creates a pleasant atmosphere where reality has rhythm, and the sounds of life offer their own melody. It’s catchy. [8/10]

Timothy Gabriele: Remakes and reunions are the order of the day. Unlike something like, say, Jurassic World, which left enough space between the Jurassic Park sequels to re-arouse interest in the latest terrible rendition, Massive Attack and Tricky have both been consistently making music since their mutual split in 1994. Despite some noted detours, much of this output from both camps has sounded like “Take It There”, decent though not quite as affective takes on that epochal mid-’90s Bristol sound. Oddly enough for this type of collaboration, it’s the guitar solo in this song, whose absence kind of defined what made trip-hop special in its heyday, that’s the strongest part of this song. I’d still spin this. It grows on me with multiple listens. The video’s cool too, taking the Edgar Wright aesthetic into a slightly more forlorn terrain. [6/10]

Paul Duffus: Listening to this you’re reminded just many bands and producers have copied Massive Attack. Over the years the Bristol group have created textures and atmospheres in their work that others have lifted wholesale. They have undoubtedly recorded some of the most influential popular music of the past 25 odd years. This may not be their most memorable, but that’s not really a criticism given their back catalogue. The babbled hook comes across like a catatonic version of Radiohead’s “Wolf at the Door”. The video is like “Thriller” crossed with It Follows. Entirely worth your time. [7/10]

Jedd Beaudoin: All love and respect to Massive Attack! This is fantastic and I feel like it’s 1998 all over again. Will listen again. And again. Tricky! [7/10]

Dustin Ragucos: I’ve gotten to the unfortunate point where I think that Tricky sounds like Viper the Rapper. It’s not the voice that brought forth an eternal album like Maxinquaye that gets me — it’s the thought that this Viper-like sound inches its way so well through the dim streetlight tones of Massive Attack’s keys. “Take It There” allows those wanting to reclaim trip-hop’s great taste another chance to get up and get dazed again. [7/10]]

SCORE: 7.00