Massive Attack: Out Of The Comfort Zone

by Melissa Chemam

Author Melissa Chemam's in-depth study of the influences that led to the formation of the Wild Bunch and then Massive Attack looks into Bristol's past to explore how the city helped shape one of the most successful and innovative musical movements of the last 30 years.

Chemam gives a unique insight into Massive Attack - 3D, Daddy G and Mushroom - their influences, collaborations and politics and the way in which they opened the door for other Bristol musicians and artists including Banksy.

The book is published under licence from Anne Carriere in France by Tangent Books in partnership with PC Press. Its French title is En Dehors De La Zone De Confort De Massive Attack A Banksy aAÂ (978-2-8433-7809-6)

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

312 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2019

Reviews

[Frank Privette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a magnificent gift for true Massive Attack fans. And I mean that precisely. It is so thoroughly researched, so much detail is presented, and Ms. Chemam is so passionate about her subject, that a casual fan of the seminal collective may be turned off at some point in this 300+ page book.

As to Massive itself, somewhat unsurprisingly, Robert “3D” Del Naja is portrayed as the protagonist, with Grant Marshall playing second fiddle, and Tricky and Andrew “Mushroom” Vowles fight it off for third. One wishes more detail, compared to that given to Del Naja, were presented on the others, but one understands he is the driving force behind the Sound System cum rock/pop/dance/trip hop group. Invited singers, from Tracey Thorn to Damon Albarn, from Liz Fraser to Sinead O’Connor, from Shara Nelson to Horace Andy, fit in nicely along the narrative. As do Banksy, Thom Yorke, and other artists who have either collaborated or admired MA during its three decade history. And Bristol plays, again unsurprisingly, a lead role. The narrative is interesting, compelling, important, and shows that Massive’s influence is maybe more relevant today than ever. How compelling is it? It made me reconsider my hatred for the snooze-fest that is Heligoland. It’s almost bearable to me now. So, thanks Ms Chemam.

The only sadly and glaringly obvious blemish is the translation into English and, maybe not unrelated, the very sloppy edition. Although I am one of those “true fans,” I almost gave up on the book because of this. But sticking to it pays off: one can only hope a second edition improves these faults.

[Chris Meloche · Rating 3 out of 5]

First the good news...
In this book, Melissa Chemam presents a quite well researched picture of the social, cultural and musical scene originating in Bristol, England. The main focus is on the band (or more appropriately "musical collective") Massive Attack. She manages to detail the creative process of the group as well as their approach to the integration of sound and visuals. She also covers tangential works produced by the band members and other artists who were/are a part of the scene. This also includes such people as Banksy.

Personal niggles...
Dozens of releases by the band as well as various side projects are discussed in the context of the book. It would have been a real bonus to have the inclusion of a detailed discography at the end of the book. A section of photos would have also been a pleasant addition, as well.

Now, the bad news...
The author originally wrote this book in French. It was subsequently translated and edited by her for this English language edition. Early on, the appearance of endless typographical errors began to distract from the content of the text. Additionally, there are countless instances of very awkward sentence structure. This caused me to have to go back and re-read sentences in order to fully understand the intention of the text. It often has the feel of text which has been run through Google Translate. The basic idea is there but, the resulting translation is far from perfect. It needs to be massaged to an appropriate end.

I don't wish to discourage the author. This is a mistake which would be the fault of the English publishers. They should have had a proof-reader go through the book thoroughly before getting it into print. If this book were to go on to have subsequent printings, I would hope that the publisher would take this into account and provide the appropriate modifications to the text. In the long-run, they have done a great disservice to one of their authors.

[Yoruk Ilhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only about MA, but also about Bristol and the socioligical/cultural scene. Contextualising matters and this one delivers that. Good read.

[Michael Arthur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative and exciting to read as a resident of Bristol. But unfortunately it’s not the best written book… and there are many translation issues. Typos are numerous as well…

[Glenn Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favourite bands of all time and was so happy to have their fascinating story finally told.

BUT

I am always reluctant to pan, but I have to say I haven't read a book so poorly written in quite some time. I am going to put it down to it being translated from the original French.

But the absolutely shoddy proofreading / line editing is unforgivable.

"Standed" instead of "stood" is one of too many examples to itemise, and what the hell does this sentence mean: "So he officially decided to abandon his exploration started with Lupine Howl, despite the pressure."?

Not good enough. Massive Attack deserved better.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I was hoping for better. I debated between 2 and 3 stars. For one thing, the manuscript really needed another pass from an editor. Besides minor issues, the text refers to the same people by inconsistent names. I would have also liked to have learned more about the origins and roots of their song ideas. Finally, while praising the band for being politically even handed, they don’t give much substance to that claim.

[Richard Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Gave flesh to the sounds I have enjoyed for many years. Also, new artists to listen to and a English city, Bristol, to read more about.

[Lewis Munro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically an extended Wikipedia on the band.. very boring.

[Richard Vernon · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some clear issues with this book - the translation is at times terrible, with some woeful sentence structure as if they have used Google to translate it

However I love Massive Attack and, if nothing else, this has made me play loads of music by Massive Attack, Tricky, Portishead et al.

The book is focussed on Massive Attack but also touches upon Bristol as a city, graffiti art like Banksy, race relations, politics etc. You would probably need to be a fan of the band because there is no lack of research that has gone into this.

I once walked out of a Massive Attack gig - this was in a small venue in Nottingham in the mid-90s - because I turned up at the advertised time and stood there for 4 hours watching a 30 second animated gif - then they came on playing records! Probably my fault for not knowing - I used to say my favourite album but worst gig! I shouldn't have driven.

Loving everything they have done and would relish the chance to give them another try live!!

[Ed, North London · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this total immersion into Massive Attack, Bristol and the Wild Bunch. There's a breathless fangirl tone, applied to a fanatical approach to researching the minutiae of Wild Bunch, Massive Attack, Tricky, Portishead and Banksy. You could object to the lack of distance and objectivity of Chemam's approach, her adulation of Massive Attack is embedded in every sentence.

As a fellow Massive Attack geek I really enjoyed the book (I have a fantasy documentary project to find "missing" Dj Mushroom). Yes, the book is very badly translated, laughably so at points, but there is also a sweetness to someone regaling you with minute details of Bristolian popular culture in broken English.

[Andreea Iliescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a great time reading this book, it’s been truly insightful - insightful into a band that changed the course of British music history, into the socio-political and economic context of Bristol in the ‘90s and the impact the 60s windrush had on the musical influences of the place around the time and into the connections and tensions between the band’s members. I was interested to read this book to find out more about the political and social context of the UK at the time and the impact it had on music, specifically on the underground - the book did not disappoint at all. It was a brilliant presentation of the context and the band, going back and forth between the two as you couldn’t have speak about one without the other. Thoroughly researched and accessible, I feel I have learned a great deal about a group that I truly love and admire. A personal critique would be perhaps that the story seems to somewhat revolve around 3D / Robert del Naja; while I understand he was the main creative and cog in the MA wheel, I wanted to know more about Daddy G and Tricky (particularly their Afro-Carribean context and how this influenced their career paths in and outside of MA). Overall, a beautiful read I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of the MA phenomenon, British underground and electronica - or simply interested to understand how a phenomenon of this calibre is born.

[Akin]

Not fair to give this book a star rating. A fascinating, deeply researched and context-relevant book about Massive Attack is let down by proof-reading inadequacies. I do recommend it; it’ll require patience but it is worth the effort. I hope a mainstream publisher picks it up and invests the necessaries for a revised edition in due course, too.

[Tim Theobalds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive rather than interesting. The original version was written in French apparently, and this translation is a bit dry!

[Constantin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it when my music journalism takes into account historical materialism and colonialism. Fantastic read.

[Mike Manson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impressive, and encyclopedic book on Bristol's music and graff culture. A fascinating analysis contextualizing the culture of Bristol. Essential reading if you want to understand the music of Bristol. Features Massive Attack, Portishead. Tricky, Banksy and more. Fascinating.

[Constantine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book so much because it gave me all the information I randomly collected throughout the years and even much more, especially about the early years of the band/collective. It's a book about the history of the band that covers up to today. It was definitely needed.

[Patrik Wilhelmsson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helt otroligt förpaltad bok med oändligt mycket namn som ska radas upp hela tiden. Skulle tippa på att 1/5 kanske handlar om bandets musik. Resten är om Bristol, festivaler, Robert Del Najas eskapader, Banksy. Rekommenderas för fans som orkar sortera bort allt ovidkommande under läsningen.