Hopefully you already know about Blur, but if not they are a pivotal British pop/alternative group whose most commercially-successful and popular era was the mid 90's. "Song 2" was just their accidental one-time US hit. They started in the very late 80's, became wildly famous in England in the 90's, and today, after a hiatus and reunion, play the occasional festival. Their frontman, Damon Albarn, is a prolific musician with a host of crossover collaborations under his belt, the most popular being Gorillaz, of "Clint Eastwood" fame. Blur's career started as a basic, white-collar pop-rock group with songs that parodied the banality of the routine, emotionless daily life. By the time their album Parklife (1994) hit they were the biggest thing in Britain (so I'm told). Quickly afterward they retreated inwardly as they struggled to deal with the unexpected fame they'd encountered. They didn't really sign-on to the "sex, drugs and rock n' roll thing." By 1997 they released the very raw Blur, from which sprung "Song 2." That album was a turning point artistically, and the music just got better with 13 (1999). Think Tank (2003) was their last full-length album and is their most polished and infinitely-listenable album. The recording of Think Tank was difficult for the band. Originally a foursome, they were a threesome by the time it was released. Since then they've gotten back to their full roster, headlined many big music festivals, and even released a song or two.
Blur is a great example of what I feel is a principle of great musicians that works against the current cycle of the popular music industry: musicians make better music as they mature. I might be wrong about that. I'd imagine its easier to market something that already has a following. But critically, a great artist often has a hard time living down their first great album. The crescendo career is a trademark of great artists that are dedicated to their craft - continually improving upon the serendipitous combination of raw enthusiasm and talent that led to their early successes. The pop culture industry focuses on youth and the excitement of a beautiful new face that puts a few young artists at the top of the charts. Even among more level-headed critics, many artists can never overcome their early successes despite the fact that their experience and perspective later in life affords them the opportunity to make better music. For notable filmmakers, actors, writers, and musicians, the key work that brings that initial success can never be replicated. Credit is rarely given for innovation as an artist's career progresses. After a first groundbreaking or critically-successful release, many artists become defined by those notable, early offerings. It is true that if it weren't for their earlier successes, many established artists' works would not receive as much attention - but that doesn't mean that we need to wrap those works as a noose around their neck. For Blur, the later stuff is the best.
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| Blur is (clockwise from top left) Graham Coxon, Alex James, Dave Rowntree, and Damon Albarn |
Blur is not a perfect band with a perfect catalogue (Brit spelling). There are many flaws that, when looked at individually, can make them look rather amateur. The first few albums, honestly, are nothing special. But the same holds true for many great bands (i.e. Radiohead's Pablo Honey). Let's face it - pop, rock, and alternative music is usually very basic as far as the general instrumentation and format goes. They lack the structure and intelligent design of more serious genres like classical and jazz because they are often based more on intuition and superficial differences, at best, and market share, at worst. But we love it because it is easy to connect with the visceral experience of our daily lives. And it's got a beat or a hook that's hard to get out of your head. Blur was born out of Britpop and was most popular in the mid 90's when record sales really meant something. They had a bit of an overblown rivalry with Oasis and even beat them in sales at one point. Blur won the battle but lost the war as Oasis took over the US with Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova. But after that record, Blur moved into the best phase of their career musically. You could say the subject matter of the music doesn't change much through the years, but the way its told transforms from pure youthful energy to more subtle adult reflection.
And the sound is amazing. Blur, 13, and Think Thank show a band comfortable with experimenting in new sounds and song structures - less focused on making a great single and more excited about trying something unique. Some tracks from these albums are jams lifted directly from brainstorming sessions or variations on more abrasive sound effects and lyrical experiments. Think Thank learns from the previous two albums' experimentation with a cleaner and more polished delivery. They're definitely eclectic by nature. This is obvious from Parklife on. Each album has its mix of dramatic sweet-songs and high-tempo romps. Last year, 2012, marked the 21-year anniversary of their first album and so they released a career-comprehensive box set of 21 discs (18 CD's and 3 DVD's) which was a mouth-watering prospect for me - I admit: I really love box sets. It was an easy way for me to do a complete, chronological Blur retrospective. I listened to everything, start to finish. It was great to get the full picture and hear, in quick succession, the band's progression through the years. I know. I'm a total music nerd.
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| Blur 21 |
So I pulled out the top tracks from their studio albums for my top Blur playlist. I include just a few of the rarities/b-tracks that stand out, although I did find it interesting that for many of their early songs I enjoyed the rare, low-quality demo version much more than the album track. And if you do decide to tackle the list, don't forget to check out their latest 2-song single.
My Blur 21 top playlist:
Sing
Girls & Boys
End of a Century
To The End
Badhead
This Is A Low
Best Days
He Thought of Cars
The Universal
Yuko & Hiro
Bettlebum
Song 2
Country Sad Ballad Man
You're So Great
Strange News From Another Star
Tender
Caramel
I've Got No Distance Left To Run
Ambulance
Crazy Beat
Good Song
Gene By Gene
Battery In Your Leg
From the B-Sides:
All Your Life
Get Out of Cities
Bustin' + Dronin'
Black Book
Money Makes Me Crazy (Marrakech Mix)
2012 Release:
Under the Westway
The Puritan
