Having heard the Massive Attack song from the soundtrack to the movie "The Jackal", "Superpredators (metal postcard), I expected this album to be similar.  "Superpredators" features heavy, jagged slabs of metallic guitar overlayed on a bitchin' bass line.  All very aggressive and very, well, heavy.  This album, however, turned out to be another animal entirely, and one that is equally good.

       Mezzanine is a very eretheral album, with an airy quality that stems especially from the vocals, which just enhance the melodic overlays.  The base of each tune is a pounding bassline that somehow doesn't detract from the mood and sound of the song.  Even lyrically, usually a major drawback to electro-based music, is suberb on this album;  "Man Next Door" sticks out especially in my mind.  This album takes you into its own little world and doesn't let go until its damn good and ready.

       Overall, a very pleasant suprise, and while I generally prefer heavier music, I've found this to be one of the best albums I have ever bought.