Tricky was widely hailed as some kind of twisted genius when he brought out the trip-hop classic Maxinquaye in 1995, with the inevitable result that everything else he's done since has seemed pale by comparison. Against all expectations, however, Blowback is a stunning return to form for the dark prince of pop. The sound is still murky and menacing but the rhythms are seductive, the samples are smart and the guitar-driven soundscapes pack a real punch. There's arguably too many collaborations here - Alanis Morissette is fine but is the presence of Cyndi Lauper really necessary? Still, that's a minor crib; this is, by any standards, a remarkable album. Looks like the devil really does have the best tunes after all.