Singles 90/98 cover

Singles 90/98

Massive Attack · 1998

359 min · 63 tracks · electronica

A fusion of haunting melodies, heavy basslines, and intricate beats that define the essence of trip hop.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Daydreaming (album version) Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
  • →
    Teardrop — This track is renowned for its ethereal vocals and innovative use of instrumentation, establishing it as a cornerstone of both the album and the trip hop genre.
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    Unfinished Sympathy — As one of their early hits, this track combines emotive lyrics with lush orchestration, exemplifying Massive Attack's unique blend of hip hop and soul.
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    Safe From Harm — This song showcases the band's signature sound with its deep bassline and soulful delivery, making it a quintessential representation of their style.
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    Angel — With its haunting melody and lyrical depth, 'Angel' stands out as a powerful exploration of vulnerability and emotional turmoil.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

54 /100
Foothills
Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The compilation highlights Massive Attack's diverse sound but lacks a cohesive narrative due to its remix-heavy nature.

What we noticed

  • The album features multiple versions of tracks, including remixes and instrumentals, which showcase different production techniques and arrangements.
  • Several tracks include heavy basslines paired with layered samples, creating a dense soundscape characteristic of trip hop.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing that ebbs
  • atmospheric soundscapes for introspection
  • dynamic remixes for varied moods
  • long sessions of deep listening
  • soulful melodies with rich textures

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking quick, catchy songs
  • prefer straightforward, single tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Starting Point — A compilation of hits that captures the essence of Massive Attack's sound and impact.
Career context
By the time 'Singles 90/98' was released in December 1998, Massive Attack had already established themselves as pioneers of the trip hop genre with their seminal albums like 'Blue Lines' (1991) and 'Protection' (1994). This compilation marked a retrospective look at their influential career leading up to the late 90s, showcasing their evolution in sound and collaborations with various artists.
Stylistic neighbors
Portishead· Tricky· Morcheeba

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Daydreaming (album version) Start here 4:15
  • 2 Daydreaming (Luv It mix) 5:27
  • 3 Daydreaming (Brixton Bass mix) 5:22
  • 4 Daydreaming (Luv It dub) 5:26
  • 5 Any Love (2) 4:15

Disc 2

  • 1 Unfinished Sympathy (original) 5:16
  • 2 Unfinished Sympathy (Nellee Hooper 7″ mix) 4:34
  • 3 Unfinished Sympathy (Nellee Hooper 12″ mix) 5:51
  • 4 Unfinished Sympathy (Perfecto mix) 5:18
  • 5 Unfinished Sympathy (instrumental) 4:07

Disc 3

  • 1 Safe From Harm (original) 5:20
  • 2 Safe From Harm (7″ version) 4:28
  • 3 Safe From Harm (12″ version) 6:57
  • 4 Safe From Harm (Perfecto mix) 8:14
  • 5 Safe From Harm (Just a Groove dub) 3:18
  • 6 Safe From Harm (Just a Dub) 3:13

Disc 4

  • 1 Hymn of the Big Wheel (original) 6:38
  • 2 Hymn of the Big Wheel (Nellee Hooper mix) 5:52
  • 3 Home of the Whale 4:08
  • 4 Be Thankful for What You’ve Got (Perfecto mix) 6:17
  • 5 Any Love (Larry Heard mix) 4:27

Disc 5

  • 1 Sly (album version) 5:28
  • 2 Sly (7″ edit) 4:13
  • 3 Sly (7 Stones mix) 6:00
  • 4 Sly (Underdog mix) 5:20
  • 5 Sly (Underdog Double Bass & Accappella) 3:38
  • 6 Sly (Cosmic dub) 5:27
  • 7 Sly (Eternal Feedback dub) 6:24

Disc 6

  • 1 Protection (album version) 7:53
  • 2 Protection (7″ edit) 4:55
  • 3 Protection (Underdog’s Angel Dust mix) 7:36
  • 4 Protection (Radiation for the Nation) 8:34
  • 5 Protection (The Eno mix) 9:11
  • 6 Protection (J Sw!ft mix) 7:12

Disc 7

  • 1 Karmacoma (album version) 5:18
  • 2 Karmacoma (Portishead Experience) 4:00
  • 3 Karmacoma (Napoli Trip) 6:07
  • 4 Karmacoma (U.N.K.L.E. Situation) 5:38
  • 5 Karmacoma (Bumper Ball dub) 5:59
  • 6 Karmacoma (Ventom Dub Special) 6:05
  • 7 Blacksmith/Daydreaming 5:23

Disc 8

  • 1 Risingson (album version) 5:00
  • 2 Superpredators 5:14
  • 3 Risingson (Underdog mix) 6:05
  • 4 Risingson (Otherside) 5:29
  • 5 Risingson (Underworld mix) 8:39

Disc 9

  • 1 Teardrop (LP version) 5:31
  • 2 Teardrop (Scream Team remix) 6:45
  • 3 Teardrop (Mad Professor Mazaruni vocal mix) 6:08
  • 4 Teardrop (Mad Professor Mazaruni instrumental) 6:24
  • 5 Euro Zero Zero 4:23

Disc 10

  • 1 Angel (album version) 6:20
  • 2 Angel (radio edit) 5:24
  • 3 Angel (Blur remix) 6:22
  • 4 Angel (Mad Professor remix) 6:16
  • 5 Group Four (Mad Professor remix) 7:53

Disc 11

  • 1 Inertia Creeps (album version) 5:33
  • 2 Inertia Creeps (radio edit) 4:11
  • 3 Inertia Creeps (Manic Street Preachers version) 5:03
  • 4 Inertia Creeps (State of Bengal mix) 6:25
  • 5 Inertia Creeps (Alpha mix) 5:55
  • 6 Back/shecomes 6:08
  • 7 Reflection 4:52

What to play next

Mezzanine
Listen next

Mezzanine

1998

It expands on the haunting soundscapes and intricate beats from Singles 90/98.
Protection
Go back to

Protection

1994

It sets a similar atmospheric tone that leads into the singles compilation.
Full Massive Attack discography Artists like Massive Attack
electronica trip hop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata