100th Window

100th Window is the fourth studio album by English electronic music group Massive Attack, released on 10 February 2003 by Virgin Records. The album was mainly produced by lead member Robert Del Naja, as the group's producer Andrew Vowles departed shortly after the release of their previous album Mezzanine (1998), and Grant Marshall opted out of the production of the album. 100th Window features vocals from regular guest Horace Andy, as well as newcomers Sinéad O'Connor and Damon Albarn (performing as 2D from Gorillaz). Stylistically, it is the first album by the group to make no use of existing samples, and contains none of the hip hop or jazz fusion styles that the group were initially known for.

100th Window
Studio album by Massive Attack
Released	10 February 2003
Recorded	2002
Studio	Sony (London)
Genre	Electronica post-rock downtempo ambient dub[1]
Length	73:52
Label	Virgin
Producer	Robert Del Naja Neil Davidge
Massive Attack chronology
Singles 90/98 (1998) 100th Window (2003) Danny the Dog (2004)
Singles from 100th Window
"Special Cases" Released: 24 February 2003 "Butterfly Caught" Released: 16 June 2003

Background

Del Naja initially conceived of 100th Window in its untitled form in early 2000 at the Christchurch Studios in Clifton, Bristol, recruiting Lupine Howl, a band made up of ex-members of Spiritualized, for the new project. In a November 2001 interview, Lupine Howl's lead singer Sean Cook described the sessions as "very experimental [...] minimal loops and noises that were fed to our headphones from the computer up in the control room. Then we would have this sort of extended jam session playing along to them and they would do various things to do the loops."^[2] Del Naja and Davidge also maintained a strobe light in their studio while the band jammed, dictating the intensity of their performances with the lighting. However, in a post to Massive Attack's forums in July 2002, Del Naja subsequently announced that the band had become "very unhappy with the shapes being formed", and that by the beginning of 2002 they had discarded most of the material that was written up to that point; the September 11 attacks also motivated him to depart from the original tone of the album.

Reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	75/100[3]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]
Alternative Press	4/5[5]
Entertainment Weekly	C[6]
The Guardian	[7]
Los Angeles Times	[8]
Mojo	[9]
Pitchfork	5.1/10[10]
Rolling Stone	[11]
Spin	7/10[12]
Uncut	[13]

Initial critical response to 100th Window was positive. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 75, based on 25 reviews.^[3]

As of February 2010, the album had sold 180,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.^[14]

Track listing

No.	Title	Vocals	Length
1.	"Future Proof"	3D	5:37
2.	"What Your Soul Sings"	Sinéad O'Connor	6:37
3.	"Everywhen"	Horace Andy	7:37
4.	"Special Cases"	Sinéad O'Connor	5:09
5.	"Butterfly Caught"	3D	7:33
6.	"A Prayer for England"	Sinéad O'Connor	5:44
7.	"Small Time Shot Away"	3D	7:57
8.	"Name Taken"	Horace Andy	7:47
9.	"Antistar"	3D	19:40

All tracks are written by Robert Del Naja and Neil Davidge, except tracks 2, 4 and 6, written by Del Naja, Davidge and Sinéad O'Connor

Notes

• Track 7 features backing vocals by the character 2-D, performed by Damon Albarn.
• On track 9, "Antistar" ends at 8:17. At 8:47, an untitled instrumental track, commonly referred to as "LP4", plays.

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of 100th Window.^[15]

Musicians

• Alex Swift – additional programming, keyboards
• Sinéad O'Connor – vocals
• Horace Andy – vocals
• Robert Del Naja – vocals, string arrangement
• Angelo Bruschini – guitar
• Damon Reece – drums
• Jon Harris – bass
• Stuart Gordon – violin
• Skaila Kanga – harp
• Craig Pruess – string arrangement, conducting
• Neil Davidge – string arrangement
• Gavyn Wright – orchestra leader
• 2-D (performed by Damon Albarn) – backing vocals on "Small Time Shot Away"

Technical

• Robert Del Naja – production
• Neil Davidge – production
• Alex Swift – additional programming, keyboards
• Lee Shephard – recording, engineering
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing^{[lower-alpha 1]}
• Paul "P Dub" Walton – mixing assistance
• David Treahearn – mixing assistance
• Robert Haggett – mixing assistance
• Tim Young – mastering^{[lower-alpha 2]}
• Mike Ross – recording

Artwork

• Robert Del Naja – art direction, design
• Tom Hingston – art direction, design
• Nick Knight – photography

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for 100th Window Chart (2003) Peak position Australian Albums (ARIA)[16] 4 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[17] 4 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[18] 1 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[19] 2 Canadian Albums (Billboard)[20] 8 Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[21] 7 Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[22] 2 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[23] 9 European Albums (Music & Media)[24] 1 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[25] 1 French Albums (SNEP)[26] 1 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[27] 3 Greek Albums (IFPI)[28] 1 Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[29] 25 Irish Albums (IRMA)[30] 1 Italian Albums (FIMI)[31] 2 Japanese Albums (Oricon)[32] 21 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[33] 5 Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[34] 4 Polish Albums (ZPAV)[35] 1 Portuguese Albums (AFP)[36] 17 Scottish Albums (OCC)[37] 1 Spanish Albums (AFYVE)[38] 18 Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[39] 19 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[40] 1 UK Albums (OCC)[41] 1 US Billboard 200[42] 69 US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[43] 1

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for 100th Window Chart (2003) Position Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[44] 28 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[45] 14 French Albums (SNEP)[46] 53 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[47] 87 Italian Albums (FIMI)[48] 52 Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[49] 66 UK Albums (OCC)[50] 105 US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[51] 2

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for 100th Window

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[52]	Gold	35,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[53]	Gold	15,000*
Belgium (BEA)[54]	Gold	25,000*
Portugal (AFP)[55]	Silver	10,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[56]	Gold	20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[57]	Gold	216,607[58]
United States	—	180,000[14]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

1. Mixed at Olympic Studios (London)
2. Mastered at Metropolis Studios (London)

References

1. Southall, Nick (1 September 2003). "Massive Attack – 100th Window – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
2. Redfern, Mark (June 2002). "Lupine Howl". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on 12 November 2006. Retrieved 15 November 2006.
3. "Reviews for 100th Window by Massive Attack". Metacritic. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
4. Bush, John. "100th Window – Massive Attack". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
5. "Massive Attack: 100th Window". Alternative Press. No. 177. April 2003. p. 87. ISSN 1065-1667.
6. Browne, David (14 February 2003). "100th Window". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
7. Petridis, Alexis (7 February 2003). "Massive Attack: 100th Window". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
8. Romero, Dennis (9 February 2003). "Visionary, polished and harrowing". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
9. "Massive Attack: 100th Window". Mojo. No. 112. March 2003. p. 97. ISSN 1351-0193.
10. Ott, Chris (4 February 2003). "Massive Attack: 100th Window". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
11. Berger, Arion (28 January 2003). "Massive Attack: 100th Window". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 7 May 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
12. Hermes, Will (March 2003). "Storm Windows". Spin. Vol. 19, no. 3. pp. 117–18. ISSN 0886-3032 – via Google Books.
13. "Massive Attack: 100th Window". Uncut. No. 70. March 2003. p. 104. ISSN 1368-0722.
14. Sexton, Paul (19 February 2010). "Massive Attack Prove New Album Was Worth The Wait". Billboard. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
15. 100th Window (liner notes). Massive Attack. Virgin Records. 2003. 724358123920.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
16. "Australiancharts.com – Massive Attack – 100th Window". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
17. "Austriancharts.at – Massive Attack – 100th Window" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
18. "Ultratop.be – Massive Attack – 100th Window" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
19. "Ultratop.be – Massive Attack – 100th Window" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
20. "Massive Attack Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
21. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 12. 15 March 2003. p. 13. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
22. "Danishcharts.dk – Massive Attack – 100th Window". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
23. "Dutchcharts.nl – Massive Attack – 100th Window" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
24. "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 10. 1 March 2003. p. 12. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
25. "Massive Attack: 100th Window" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
26. "Lescharts.com – Massive Attack – 100th Window". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
27. "Offiziellecharts.de – Massive Attack – 100th Window" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
28. "Top 50 Ελληνικών και Ξένων Άλμπουμ" [Top 50 Greek and Foreign Albums] (in Greek). IFPI Greece. 29 March 2003. Archived from the original on 5 April 2003. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
29. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2003. 8. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
30. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Massive Attack". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
31. "Italiancharts.com – Massive Attack – 100th Window". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
32. 「１００ｔｈ Ｗｉｎｄｏｗ」 マッシヴ・アタック ["100th Window" Massive Attack] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
33. "Charts.nz – Massive Attack – 100th Window". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
34. "Norwegiancharts.com – Massive Attack – 100th Window". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
35. "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
36. "Portuguesecharts.com – Massive Attack – 100th Window". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
37. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
38. Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
39. "Swedishcharts.com – Massive Attack – 100th Window". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
40. "Swisscharts.com – Massive Attack – 100th Window". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
41. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
42. "Massive Attack Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
43. "Massive Attack Chart History (Top Dance/Electronic Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
44. "Jaaroverzichten 2010 – Albums" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
45. "Rapports annuels 2010 – Albums" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
46. "Classement Albums – année 2002" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
47. "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 2003" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
48. "Classifica annuale 2003 (dal 30.12.2002 al 28.12.2003)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
49. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 22 July 2021.
50. "UK Year-End Charts 2003" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. p. 4. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
51. "Year in Music – Top Electronic Albums". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. 27 December 2003. p. YE-66. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
52. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
53. "Austrian album certifications – Massive Attack – 10th Window" (in German). IFPI Austria. 5 May 2003.
54. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2003". Ultratop. Hung Medien. 28 June 2003.
55. "Top Oficial da Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa – Top 30 Artistas – Semana 11 de 2003" (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011.
56. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('100th Window')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
57. "British album certifications – Massive Attack – 100th Window". British Phonographic Industry. 14 February 2003.
58. "Key Releases: 11.12.10". Music Week. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2022 – via HighBeam Research.