The band was formed in 1993 by Tony Nwachukwu and Charlie Dark. Charlie Dark was a part time journalist and DJ and had been approached by James Lavelle to produce and engineer tracks for his Mo Wax record label.
Their first release, Vibes, Scribes and Dusty 45's Ep, contained the down tempo classic Contemplating Jazz. Featuring the vocals of third member Roba El-Essawy, Attica Blues' sound contained the trademark trip-hop aspects like heavy beats, vocals and deep dark atmospheres. They released a follow up album, Blueprint.
Attica Blues were also often solicited for remixing and producing.
After the Mo Wax album Blueprint, they released a second album, Test,Don't Test on Sony Records.
Mangled
Attica Blues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's just a broken dream
One of the endless promises
It's just a broken dream
It's just a broken dream
It's just a broken dream
One of the endless promises
It's just a broken dream
It's just a broken dream
One of the endless promises
It's just a broken dream
It's just a broken dream
It's just a broken dream
One of the endless promises
It's just a broken dream
The lyrics of Attica Blues's song Mangled reflect the feeling of disappointment and despair over broken promises and shattered dreams. The repetition of the phrase "it's just a broken dream" emphasizes the pain and hopelessness that comes with realizing that something that was once believed in or hoped for has been lost. The use of the word "endless" implies that this disappointment is not a one-time occurrence but a recurring theme in the singer's life.
The lyrics can be interpreted in multiple ways, depending on the listener's personal experience. It could be a broken relationship, a missed opportunity, or unfulfilled aspirations. The universality of this feeling makes the song relatable to many people who have experienced loss or failure at some point in their lives.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was written by the group's lead singer, Roba El-Essawy, who was inspired by her personal experience of feeling disillusioned after failing to achieve the success she had hoped for as a performer. Another interesting fact is that the band's name, Attica Blues, is a reference to the Attica Prison riot that took place in 1971.
The song was featured in the soundtrack of the 1998 film "Pi", which gained a cult following for its unique portrayal of mathematical theory and paranoia. The song's haunting melody and emotional lyrics fit perfectly with the film's dark atmosphere.
Attica Blues was a British trip-hop band active in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They were known for their experimental sound that blended trip-hop, jazz, and soul. The group disbanded in 2004, but their music continues to be appreciated by fans of the genre.
Chords: Unfortunately, the chords for Mangled are not available.
Line by Line Meaning
It's just a broken dream
The hope or aspiration has failed and will not come to fruition
One of the endless promises
One of many assurances that were given, but not kept
Contributed by Hunter S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.