Blur - Blur

90s Album Review

After helping define the Britpop sound, Blur turned to American indie rock to find inspiration for their challenging 1997 self-titled album

Having blazed a trail with some of the most successful Britpop albums of the 1990s, Blurwas heading for implosion following their tabloid battle with Oasis in 1995 and inter-band turmoil. To reorient themselves, they turned to the country that used to be a target of scorn - America. Specifically, American indie rock like Pavement. You can hear the influence throughout the album as the band takes the noise, the jagged guitar lines, the lo-fi aesthetics, and put their unique spin on it. That unique spin, of course, would end up creating one of the most memorable songs of the 90s, "Song 2," that still gets played in stadiums at sporting events around the world, and is a staple on 90s classic radio. But "Song 2" is just the tip of a very weird, very singular sound that would find the band taking chances that mostly paid off.

Songs In This Episode:

• Intro - Song 2

• 18:57 - Strange News From Another Star

• 24:40 - On Your Own

• 29:56 - Death of a Party

• 37:56 - I'm Just A Killer For Your Love

• Outro - Beetlebum

Episode Highlights:

• (00:08) The hosts, Jason and Tim, are joined by a guest, Jim, who is a member of their Dig Me Out Union on Patreon. This is Jim’s first album pick but his tenth appearance on the show.

• (01:35) Jim is from Chicago, and they briefly discuss the city and a local place known for its cinnamon rolls.

• (03:14) Jim chose to discuss Blur’s self-titled 1997 album. He sees it as a nexus point for the band, combining elements of their past work and leading into their future. The album was influenced by Americana music, which was a departure from their Britpop roots.

• (03:56) The hosts reminisce about the "Battle of Britpop" between Blur and Oasis in the mid-90s. Blur won the "single war" with "Country House" against Oasis’s "Roll with It," but Oasis won the "album battle" with "What’s the Story Morning Glory."

• (07:09) Blur’s self-titled album included the hit single "Song 2," which is widely recognized and still played at events worldwide. The hosts debate whether "Song 2" is more well-known than Oasis’s "Wonderwall."

• (08:43) The band was going through a tough time during the making of this album, with members dealing with personal issues and the strain of their rivalry with Oasis. Graham Coxon, the guitarist, pushed for a change in their musical direction, influenced by American indie rock.

• (10:37) This album marked the first time Blur jammed together to create songs, a departure from their previous approach where frontman Damon Albarn would bring in complete songs for the band to play.

• (11:11) The hosts discuss how this album marked the first time Blur jammed together to create songs, a departure from their previous approach where frontman Damon Albarn would bring in complete songs for the band to play.

• (11:39) One of the hosts didn’t really pay attention to Blur in the 90s because they were so British, and there was a cultural divide. It wasn’t until a decade later that he started to appreciate their music.

• (12:20) The hosts talk about the creation of "Song 2" and how it started with Graham and Dave playing two drum kits together and looping that through an early sampler.

• (12:54) Blur knew they were making a very different record with their self-titled album and were concerned about losing their teenage girl fan base because it wasn’t as catchy and poppy as their previous albums.

• (13:20) The band was frustrated with their record label, EMI, for prioritizing Radiohead’s "OK Computer" over their album.

• (13:49) The hosts reflect on the initial positive reception of Blur’s "The Great Escape" album, which was later re-evaluated by some critics who apologized for their positive reviews and wrote negative ones instead.

• (14:35) Jay, one of the hosts, shares that he wasn’t very familiar with Blur’s discography beyond their singles. He bought a Blur album because Damon Albarn wore a University of Buffalo sweatshirt in a music video.

• (15:45) Patreon comments on the album are shared, with listeners noting the experimental nature of the album. Some felt that certain tracks didn’t fit the overall vibe of the album and would have been better as B-sides.

• (17:27) Jay appreciates the ambitious and experimental nature of the album. He notes the band’s use of deconstructed elements and unexpected combinations to create unique musical moments, comparing it to The Beatles’ "White Album."

• (22:01) The hosts discuss the mix of experimental and straightforward songs on Blur’s self-titled album. They appreciate the band’s willingness to explore and not be constrained by their previous identity.

• (23:09) Tim praises Graham Coxon’s guitar work, noting his unconventional approach and the interesting sounds he creates. He also recommends Coxon’s solo album "Happiness in Magazines."

• (25:38) The hosts appreciate Blur’s experimentation with different sounds and instruments. They note the band’s use of deconstructed elements and unexpected combinations to create unique musical moments.

• (26:20) Damon Albarn’s shift to first-person lyrics is discussed. Previous Blur songs often told stories about characters, but this album features more personal and emotional content.

• (27:51) Jim shares his perspective on the album, likening it to a compilation of underground indie bands due to its variety of styles. He appreciates the band’s shift towards a more experimental and band-oriented approach.

• (29:31) The hosts discuss the beginning of Gorillaz and Graham Coxon’s shift towards a poppy guitar indie style in his solo work. They also touch on the experimental nature of "Death of a Party."

• (31:01) The influence of David Bowie is noted, especially in songs like "Strange News from Another Star." The hosts appreciate the experimental and varied nature of the album.

• (32:18) Jim explains his choice of Blur’s self-titled album for the discussion, noting it as an excellent starting point for those new to the band. He also defends "Essex Dogs," suggesting a Tortoise influence in the song.

Dig Me Out ratings:

• Jay: He rated it as a "Worthy Album" but suggested cutting "Theme from Retro" and "Essex Dogs" to make the album easier to digest and enjoy on repeated listens.

• Tim: Agreed with Jay, also rating it as a "Worthy Album." He suggested cutting "Essex Dogs" and the bonus track, and considered switching the positions of "On Your Own" and "Country Sad Ballad Man" or moving the latter to a B-side to make the album a bit shorter.

• Jim (the guest): Initially joked about rating it as a "Decent Single" because of "Essex Dogs" but quickly clarified that he was kidding and also rated it as a "Worthy Album."

• DMO Union: 80% of their Patreon patrons agreed with the "Worthy Album" rating, with 20% suggesting it would be a "Better EP." Join the DMO Union at Patreon