Ouuuuuch: Tricky's Flawless Masterpiece.
Written: May 30 '03 (Updated Jul 07 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Powerful, Martina's vocals are incredible; Tricky's are awfully powerful.
Cons: May be too dark for some.
The Bottom Line: One of the greatest albums of the 90's, Tricky's debut is not to be missed. Powerful and dark, you will feel Tricky's pain.
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| ssteveszykk's Full Review: Maxinquaye by Tricky |
As ironic as it sounds, darkness is my light. Happiness and glow seems to always leave a bad taste in my mouth, yet the grim and depressing constantly leaves me abundantly satisfied and fulfilled. I leave the dark feeling changed, whether it be minutely or maximally, recognizing that I have indeed been exposed to the truth of human nature. True because the core of men as a whole could certainly not be summarize with words of love, and gayety. Furthermore, the gloom allows me to anticipate the comfort of the apparently counterfeit brightness, even though inevitably a vicious cycle will continue as the bad taste returns and I again find myself surrounded by pain, death and depression.
I am indeed talking about pain characterized in forms of media, not in my own mind for desires to kill/be depressed do not dwell in my consciousness at all. Rather I find myself much more intrigued by pain then joy, whether it is in films, music, literature or television. From Björk’s brilliant Homogenic to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, nearly all personal favorites present a form of darkness; 'love sucks' as in the former, or murder depicted in the latter. Listening to powerfully depressing music or watching excruciatingly dark films allows me to grab a slice of life frequent in general, yet mostly undetectable in my all too typical existence. Therefore, it’s unavoidable that I worship Tricky’s debut solo album, Maxinquaye, black in its foundation, powerful in its form and brilliant as a whole.
Tricky’s Maxinquaye defined pain. A man of much unhappiness Tricky presents his mind-set throughout this set of 12 astonishing tracks, an observably pessimistic one at that; exposing layers of depression and dreariness. Listening to this album I was handed that portion of life I spoke about above, mostly through the absolutely brilliant lyrics offered. With these lyrics speaking of hell, death, insanity and more of that species, Maxinquaye is unquestionably a challenging listen. But it is a challenge worth surmounting, for what lies beneath, or actually what’s enclosed in the darkness is some of the most rewarding material ever created. It’s thrilling, captivating, gorgeous, eerie and as close to perfect as possible. Collaborator Martina Topley-Bird is beyond belief with her stunning voice, mixing jazz with soul; smoky, sexy, silky, and just downright awesome. The contrast to Tricky’s pain-filled vocals, to his slurring, hypnotic rap is clear and works like a charm – case in point, Martina’s vocal support in the incredible Hell Is Around The Corner (more on that later). And not even in her 20s by the time this was released, it’s all the more impressive, not to mention disturbing to hear a young teenager sing some of Tricky’s harshest lyrics. She’s a key unlocking the flawlessness of this album.
And we open with Martina, dominating // Overcome //, the first of many masterworks found on this album. The track mixes unique drum beats, unlike anything heard before, with a hypnotic and very sexy, slightly African vibed atmosphere. Overcome perfectly sets Maxinquaye up, defining the mood and exposing that listeners are in for a fantastic ride.
You sure you want to be with me?
I've nothing to give.
Won't lie and say this loving's best
Whoa, leave us in emotional peace
Take a walk, take a rest, a taste of this.
Don't wanna be on top of your list,
Monopoly improperly kissed.
We overcome in sixty seconds the strength we had together.
But for now, emotional ties they stay severed.
And when there's trust there'll be treats
When we funk we'll hear beats
The lyrics also give us our first taste of what’s to come; brilliant writing. The song exposes vulnerability and truth, showing a sort of self hatred and desire, sucking you in from the start and never ceasing its grip. It’s powerful, disturbing and one of the best songs of the 12. Although I do guarantee you see that phrase again throughout,
Like when referring to the second track, // Ponderosa //. Another of the bests, Ponderosa is not so musically disturbing, although lyrically it does pack a punch. One of my favorite lyrics of all time is presented here:
See in black and white, feel in slow motion,
I drown myself in sorrow, until I wake up tomorrow
Very painful stuff, however Martina sings it with a childlike quirkiness again presenting a contrast to the lyrics. The samples Tricky's put together are also incredibly original and fantastic, unlike anything I have ever heard (haven’t I said that already). It’s playful and upbeat, yet lyrically contains an amount of depth unseen in most other music. Overall Ponderosa is perfect. Martina dominates again, carrying Tricky’s album so far, and doing so with justified pride.
And she continues with a cover of Public Enemy’s Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos. This time simply entitled Black Steel, it is again – you guessed it – one of the bests. A much more blunt rock feel is apparent as Martina swiftly recites the brilliant lyrics. For me it’s unique to here the lyrics from a female voice, adding a sense of irony, and giving new dimensions to the song. It soon erupts in to a punk rock paradise, using music as the refrain, hard and powerful. An amazing song to sing along to, Martina sings the same lyrics over and over, and by the end of the track she has sung them in seemingly every way possible. Its fun, daring and original; remaining to this day one of, if not the greatest cover of all time.
Finally, enter Tricky with the best song on this album, and probably one of the ten greatest songs I have ever heard, // Hell Is Around the Corner //. Faultlessly sampling Issac Hayes’ Ike’s Rap II, the song has a very jazzy feel, with the pulsating bass and simplistic percussion. Tricky’s vocals are to be as frank as possible, f**king kick-a**, very slurrish (definitely not a word) and very eerie. He turns what the lyrics which most list as…
I stand firm for a soil
I lick a rock off foil
So reduce me, seduce me,
Dress me up in Stüssy
… into sillygeesgeesageegeedressmeopensteeesy. It’s actually quite infectious to hear, and I can’t resist taking a shot at it every time it comes up. In fact I have sung along to this song so much that it is implanted in my brain, and I begin singing it without even recognizing I am doing so. Martina is also here, but used very minimally (and perfectly). She gives a slight support to Tricky’s vocals, entering with her sexily gorgeous voice during key points in the lyrics, and eventually receives a vocal hand off from Tricky completing the final chorus.
However the stars of track four are easily the lyrics:
And when you walk, do you walk to your preference
No need to answer 'till...
I take further evidence.
I seem to need a reference to get residence
A reference to your preference to say,
I'm a good neighbour, I trudge,
So judge me for my labour,
Lobotomy ensures my good behavior
The constant struggle ensures my insanity.
Passing the indifference ensures the struggle for my family
We're hungry, beware of our appetite.
Distant drums bring the news of a kill tonight.
The kill which I share with my passengers.
We take our fill, take our fill, take a feel
The bolded words are some of my favorite lyrics, so brilliantly presenting this man’s mischief and absolutely horrific life. The song is as dark as can be, and is undoubtedly a classic in my mind. Perfect.
Next up is a guest appearance from Allison Goldfrapp, and a sample from The Smashing Pumpkins (of which referring to this sampling, Tricky states: “Sometimes I sample people to disrespect them. People think it's a compliment. Smashing Pumpkins, that was a bit of a p*ss take, really, what it was. I saw him in concert; I think he's the most pretentious guy. I don't understand how someone that pretentious can be big, so that was just a p*ss take.”) in // Pumpkin //. The song is a very slow song moving slower than molasses. It’s as if it’s struggling to get to the end, mostly due to Ms. Goldfrapp’s brilliant work. (And as a side note, gratitude extends towards Tricky for introducing me to Allison, as I have now fallen in love with her fantastic debut Felt Mountain.) Her voice is as creepy as imaginable and gets right under your skin, smoothly belting out the almost completely indecipherable lyrics. Tricky’s voice makes an appearance, again slow and eerie; disturbing and painful. It’s really an all around frightening song, so eerie it hurts to listen to. Furthermore – it’s a given but I’ll say it anyway – the lyrics are incredible:
I can't breathe and I can't see
MTV moves too fast, I refuse to understand
You go your way and I'll see mine
Feels like wasted time
And it feels like I must be blind
How'd you like yourself?
You don't know yourself
Next up is the marathon 7 plus minutes long, yet never tiring // Aftermath //. The beat is a catchy hip-hop ‘ditty’ that occasionally changes to a more rock feel. Martina’s sexy vocals are in place, as are Tricky’s eerie ones. It’s a fairly unorganized track, more like an overflow of emotion right as it came into these two’s heads:
Your eyes resemble mine, you see as no others can
Here inherit my kingdom, speak of our people's plan
I'll be here for my baby, for my baby I'll be near
So many things I need to tell you, things she needs to hear
Clearly it’s a nice lyrical piece, although there’s not many other lyrics. Another noteable work of brilliance here, is a wonderful use of a clip from the film Bladerunner. “Let me tell you about my mother” has a profound effect after learning of Tricky’s mother’s suicide while he was only four. Also completely amazing is Tricky’s frightening rendition of:
How can I be sure
In a world that's constantly changing
How can I be sure
Just when I thought I was winning
Just when I thought I could not be stopped
Just when I thought I was winning
Just when I thought I could not be stopped
How can I be sure?
Reminding me quite of bit of Björk’s haunting My Favorite Things in the film Dancer in the Dark; it’s a slow, very poignant interpretation, that proves what make Tricky’s music so great are the subtle additions added in nearly every work. Again, a perfect track.
That is followed by more perfection in the form of // Abbaon Fat Track //:
F*ck you in, tuck you in, suck you in I am she who stinks of me
Gritted teeth, fists are clutching,
Breast stroke, lots of touching
See you in the sun
There'll be big fauna at my
Hotel, motel, hotel, motel
I'll f*ck you in the a*s, just for a laugh
With the quick speed, I'll make your nose bleed
I ride the pre-menstrual cycle
Forget about the Michael
Now here's the big blast, I like the big catch
I'll spray you straight through
I spray your daydreams
Enjoy myself, within myself
And back again, encouraging sin, a powerful mind
Devious mind for a devious kind
Ugly noises and strange ways by the tube rays
I roll up the blue bills
I snort the cheap thrills
Both Tricky and Martina sing these jaw dropping lyrics simultaneously, again mixing smooth sexiness, with hesitant creepiness. It’s a perfect match, as the very smooth, fairly upbeat beat supports the vocals. Overall it’s brilliant; however it’s hard for me to place my finger on just what it is that makes it so good. Not much I can say about it, besides I absolutely love it.
// Brand New Your Retro // is next, featuring fast paced rapping from both Tricky and Martina. Very different from everything else, it’s a pulsating head banging all-out rap track. Exceedingly fantastic.
Next up is // Suffocated Love //, pure 100%, grade A brilliance. The only song challenging Hell Is Around the Corner as the greatest on the album, it is an incredibly sexy, smooth, twisted love song. It’s also one of the most conventionally organized track here, with verse, chorus, verse and so on. Tricky vocals are again incredible; he is certainly not a singer, and not technically fantastic, but the amount of emotion that seeps through his voice is impeccable. The lyrics also rule this song, speaking of an absolutely inverted love. The lyrics become very sexual and perverse at times, and Tricky sings them with a chuckle, and it’s absolutely fantastic:
Can I take off your clothes
Before we go out
And when you're helpless
I'll scream and shout
We finish everyday
Well, anyway
Sixty-nine degrees
My head's between her knees.
You ask what is this?
Mind your business.
Martina enters for the chorus only, belting out; ”I think ahead of you, I think instead of you/Will you spend your life with me/And stifle me?/I know why the caged bird sings, I know why.” Just makes me think, whoa, she is good. And overall Suffocated Love is unforgettable. It’s cool, it’s deep, it’s sharply written, and it’s very… flowing (maybe?). Awesome stuff.
// You Don’t // features Ragga in this powerful reggae track, that is satisfying enough. Ragga’s voice is incredible, screaming gorgeously yet also wonderfully singing subtly and quiet. An awesome track that is unfortunately lost in the shuffle of brilliance. It is followed by the most challenging song of the album, // Strugglin’ //. The beat here is a painful screech, and a redundant percussion with occasional sounds of guns cocking. Martina sings as if she’s completely wasted as does Tricky, presenting so much pain, and so much darkness it’s almost impossible to listen to:
Because, in, in hell I'll be lost in the layers of weakness
All around the surface brainwashed with the cheapest
Strugglin...strugglin...strugglin
Brainwashed with the
Hallucinagenics in my system
I cock the trigger
Many switch in
Switch on, switch off
Obvious harsh stuff, but of course incredible. Martina squeals out “Label me insane/But I'm more normal than most” at a high point in the song, and it’s unforgettable painful. Her vocals are completely different here, just letting the ache leak right to the surface. Tricky hesitantly mumbles throughout, saying:
Switch in, switch on, switch off
I'm lost in contradiction
Feed me my visuals
A flashback... a flashback from way back
I'm strugglin’
Do you know what its like to struggle?
Do you...do you...have you...have you ever had to struggle?
Strugglin’
Roll with the bullets to survive
Strugglin’
If I haven’t made it clear already, this track hurts. It’s brilliantly powerful stuff that ranks up right next to Björk’s Pluto as one of the most painful songs I have ever heard.
Finishing up the album is Feed Me, a much easier listen than the previous. Feed Me features Martina again, returning to her smoothness. A perfect way to end the album, it resolves some of the conflict featured on this record and relaxes the ears after the former track.
Undoubtedly a classic, Maxinquaye nurtured a genre, perfecting it and proving its power. The genre was trip-hop, a term I have yet to completely comprehend, although I do thoroughly appreciate Tricky’s hatred towards the term. However, whether he’s proud of it or not, his work, specifically this album has been hailed as a chief example of this genre, and if that is the case than label all brilliance trip-hop. If Maxinquaye defines trip-hop, than create a flawless crossbreed of rock, hip-hop, rap, reggae and soul, mix in a generous dose of pensive, potent lyrics delivered by a perfect hybrid of sultry, smoky and silky female vocals and eerie, smooth, slurred male vocals backed by hypnotically sexy beats and you’ve produced yourself trip-hop. Call this record what you’d like – hip-hop, blues, trip-hop, hip-trop, soul, pop – but I’ll prefer to classify it as one of the greatest albums the 90’s saw. A+
OTHER WORKS BY TRICKY
Nearly God A-
http://www.epinions.com/content_105240825476
Pre-Millenium Tension A
Angels With Dirty Faces B+
Juxtapose A-
BlowBack B
Vulnerable A
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ssteveszykk
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Member: Steve
Location: NY
Reviews written: 50
Trusted by: 12 members
About Me:
It's funny to grow up with this site - my old reviews are horrifying/embarrassing/hilarious/nostalgic.
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