Blowback blows up with the arena-rock anthem "Evolution Revolution Love," featuring Kowalcyzk's familiar croon, while Tricky sings backup in a maniacal murmur. The ragga songs, which are dank and claustrophobic, are upended by the queasy flash metal of "Bury the Evidence." Finally, the trudging programming and Japanese vocals on "A Song for Yukiko" make an enigmatic gurgle that sums up Tricky's beautiful, bewildering creation. --Ken Micallef

It's clear from the guest artists on this album (Lauper and members of Live and Red Hot Chili Peppers, for instance) that this is Tricky's attempt to get back on the charts after dimming enthusiasm for his follow-ups to his trip-hop classic Maxinquaye. I am not one of those who think that it's automatically bad to seek popularity and approachability. One of the great things about the Beatles, for instance, was the way Paul's commercial instincts counterbalanced John's introspective artiness. Too much desire to be loved and you end up with sap like Silly Love Songs, it's true -- but too much artiness gets you Revolution Number 9. I was one of those who loved Maxinquaye, but could not follow Tricky farther into his artistic vision than that. I did not enjoy his later albums; they struck me as increasingly harsh, tuneless, and incomprehensible, though I knew they were true to Tricky's vision and sounded just the way he wanted them to sound. I think Tricky's attempt to meet his audience halfway actually improved his work here -- it certainly improved my enjoyment of it.

I liked this album more than anything Tricky has done since the great Maxinquaye (which, of course, is a hundred times the album BlowBack is). I particularly enjoyed his use of Hawkman as a guest on several tracks, and hope to hear more from him in the future. As to whether I can recommend it, I can say this much: BlowBack appears, from the reviews I've seen, to have something for everyone to enjoy -- and something for most of the reviewers to despise as well. This makes me think it's more challenging than people realize. Check it out if the sound samples on this site sound interesting, and perhaps finding out who you agree with about which tracks are classic and which are bad will tell you something about yourself.


Comeback?   July 30, 2001
Robert Stribley (NY, NY)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Critics are calling Trickyys new album Blowback his most accessible yet. This means, naturally, that some of 'em declare it his best album yet, while others declare heys sold out. Hardly.

Sure the guests are more familiar: Chili Peppers, Ed Kowalczyk, Alanis Morissette, er, Cyndi Lauper, but the music is no less rhythmic, innovative, or menacing. Besides itys the unintelligible, three-pack-a-day Rasta vocals of practical unknown Hawkman that really steal the show. When he chimes in with Trickyys own asthmatic rasp on yBury the Evidence,y a chill should rip right up your spine. The full-out-rock Chili Pepper/Tricky combo on yGirlsy proves just as explosive. And "Evolution Revolution Love" could become Tricky's first American radio hit if anybody bothers to play it.

Lauper's appearance on "Five Days" is definitely worth a listen, too, as is Hawkman's bizarre rendition of the Nirvana tune, "Something in the Way." In the questionable category: Tricky and the Chili's adaptation of the Wonder Woman theme song. It's fun, but comes off kinda like Bozo the Clown wandering through a war movie.


Blowback (3.5 Stars)   July 6, 2001
Eric (Chicago, IL United States)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Ever since the release of Maxinquaye, Tricky has been tinkering away at self-absorbed alienating music, drowning deeper into his dark landscapes and paranoid beats. At times, the songs were downright unlistenable. The fact is that there is experimental and then there is insanity. Tricky always toed the line, but during his last few releases it seemed as if he had finally jumped off the deep end. Yet throughout it all, his music was uniquely his - the forlorn diva lost admist the sounds of a post-armaggedon aftermath crooning after the dust had cleared. Even at its most alienating, Tricky maintained a dark aura of mystery and atmosphere. His music was expressionistic and visionary. Eventually, somewhere down the line, Tricky realized his work really wasn't paying off. And so "Blowback" was born - an album shamelessy aimed at the pop mainstream. To say Tricky sold out is a not only a stupid cliche, but its untrue. Tricky maintains his artistic integrity. The beats are in full effect along with Tricky's worn gruff voice. And some of the best parts of "Blowback" rival that of "Maxinquaye". But there's something missing. It feels as if the mystery and menace has been let out. Maybe its just that I've always been attracted to Tricky's dark and depressing facets of music. Either way, Tricky just seems like another great trip-hop artist now, rather than the visionary genius I used to regard him as. Its a FAR step above most mainstream stuff out there and I'll be glad if the Top 40 catches on to it, but its just not up to par with Tricky's earlier releases. Tricky's music seems constrained to pop conventions now- where before it was wildly unpredictable. "Excess" is an incredible opener that got my hopes very very high. It's classic Tricky with bottom-heavy beats and soaring siren like vocals along with a complementing piano. "Evolution Revolution Love" is horrible - the choice of the crooning Ed Kowalczyk was the worst decision Tricky's ever made. Sure its catchy and melodic, but Kowalczyk murders the song and it falls apart. "Over Me" is nice. "Girls" might as well be Tricky guesting on a Red Hot Chili Peppers track since they steal the show and Tricky is left naked but not famous. "You Don't Wanna" is standard issue trip-hop. Everything else afterwards is pop Tricky-style. I keep wishing Martina back rather than Ambersunshower. She's decent, but no where in the league of Martina's vocals. The cover of Nirvana's "Something In The Way" is a stand-out and a unique gem in a album full of mediocre tunes. I would compare it to the revolutionary cover of Public Enemy on Maxinquaye. If it's one thing Tricky is good at, its twisting and manipulating covers until they're starkly different. Still in the end, "Blowback" is satisfying as any good pop album is, yet its lacking in concrete substance.


genuinely interesting   November 15, 2001
stacey l johnson (liberty, mo United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I mostly listen to classical and 50s-60s jazz music, and this CD is my intro to Tricky. I find most pop music boring, predictable, and repetitive, but I really enjoy this... very atmospheric and interesting.

I had a very different reaction than another reviewer to the song "Your Name": I think it's really touching--it gets stuck in my head and I like having it there. it reminds me of Mo singing with Velvet Underground, kind of.

oddly enough, the lyrics to one of the songs ("I believe in buildings tall... I believe disease is coming, I believe that's why I'm running") gave me such a strong and vivid premonition that 9.11 was like deja vu.

the evolution revolution song is great.

I have no problem with Tricky wanting radio play. does any musician record songs s/he honestly hopes not many people will listen to?

really good record.


Move on to Other Bands who at least TRY!   July 24, 2001
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

OK tricky, you're naked and famous. You have cool friends who are probably big and tough, but please stop putting them on the mic because they have No talent. Please squash whatever problems you have with Martina and get her back (She is why you made it in the first place) Imitating Andy Kaufman and trying to make everyone hate your music isn't ever going to be looked back on as Genius.

This album "Blowback" didn't do anything new musically, and it really sounds like you're either running out of ideas or you've really just done too many ... or something. You only get 2 stars because it was better than you're last 2 albums.

Not that Tricky will ever read this review, but if he does please take this advice to inspire you to do great music:

Imagine a world where you are no longer Cool, a world where people aren't awaiting your next album, a world where really talented singers aren't waiting in line to work with you. Wait, This is the World for you today Tricky.

You are going to have to do some extremely brilliant music to gain back all of the fans who've rightfully written you off. I don't hate Tricky (You only hurt the ones you love(d)

P.S. Your song "Bombing Bastards" was excellent, you should've put it on an album.

Readers, if you used to like Tricky, please check out these not very well known groups: Goldfrapp, Pelican City, Archive, Alpha, Crustacion

I found some others at... good luck