Blur

I wasn’t a fan of the Brit Pop thing back in the day. I was still stuck in my narrow-minded metal or die mode. Tho I was beginning to grow a bit. By the time Blur’s self-titled album had come out, they’d already been to the mountain top & were on the way down. So, they changed their style and became less Brit Pop and more U.S. Indie Rock. You can also hear that this Blur album is the precursor to what the Gorillaz would be in the future, as Blur’s lead singer Damon Albarn would form that band about 15 years after this album. I can see why Blur caused such a sensation. This album is very good. Song 2, or the Woo-Hoo song, is brilliant nonesense & On Your Own is built around a great riff, but is a bit annoying, which you need in rock ‘n’ roll sometimes. I loved Song 2, of course, Beetlebum, Death of a Party and You’re So Great. I highly recommend listening to this album.

got a touch monontous but on the whole pretty solid and Damon Albarn can seemingly do no wrong.

The more I listened to this the more it grew on me.

A bit too dry for my taste - something I'd listen to in a car while driving, rather than what I'd listen to in my alone time. Still, fine.

Oh banger, big fan, have previously listened! 8/10

прикольно! парк лайф конечно круче был, этот какой-то более странный и меланхоличный что ли, и это все при гаражном звуке

Hur mycket jag än älskar popperfektionen på Modern life... eller den lågintensiva ironin på Parklife så är det hit jag återvänder oftast och det är den här plattan som åldrats allra bäst. Glöm Song 2 för ett ögonblick, för det är dom lite bökiga och trasigt vackra låtarna som bär det här albumet, redan första singeln och albumöppnaren Beetlebum sätter tonen. Punkiga energiutbrott, dit man kan räkna Song 2 som i sin albumkontext låter mycket mer rimlig, bryter av förtjänstfullt. Men det är stommen av det bökiga och trasigt vackra som imponerar och allra klarast lyser Strange news from another star, vissa dagar Blurs bästa stund nånsin i min bok. En stark fyra! Lyssna också på Bob Hund - Omslag: Martin Kann, Smog - Wild love, Smog - Julius Ceasar

Kanske blurs bästa album. Många starka låtar. Tramsigheten som fanns på Parklife och The Great Escape, som idag känns rätt tröttsam, har nästan helt försvunnit. Fin variation mellan låtarna från punkiga Chinese bombs till spöklika Death of a Party.

enjoyed this one bought back memories

Good album...but just to remember: oasis is way better

Long live Britpop.

Song 2 was a good song I knew I also liked 2 others. One being death of the party

Album almost as yummy as Damon albarn

Best album so far,

3.5 The album that shows that it was wrong to ever box Blur up with Oasis, and simultaneously show how much of a shame it is that Oasis ran out of ideas after 2 years rather than expanding on their sound. Back to Blur, suffers from the classic Blurism of having way too much filler. Middle of the album really drags along. Beetlebum is such an incredible opener. Shades of what was to come with Gorrilaz in Country Sad Ballad Man. Actually ends quite well to be fair, unlike most other Blur outings.

Not sure why they have a hard time finding a hook. I very much admire their broad approach to music and sound they are not confined by Brit pop I wish they were a bit more melodic on this album.

They actually have a pretty nice sound. And some of the music videos are fun.

Song 2 was a favourite of mine when it was released. The rest of the album doesn’t have the same energy but I still quite enjoyed it.

All parties eventually end, and by all accounts, Britpop was a rager. This is Blur’s comedown record - the album where they broke from the hedonistic scene that made them famous. I’ve heard people say that OK Computer killed Britpop, but Blur did it themselves 3 months earlier when they released this self-titled album. The seeds were already planted on their previous album, the third in their Britpop trilogy, 1995’s The Great Escape. That album catches a lot of shit for jumping the shark on their sound, but despite the carnivalesque excess, there’s a deep melancholy running through it. I can hear shifts in their sound and increasing experimentation, especially in the back half of The Great Escape. I think they were (consciously or not) already trying to dismantle Britpop when it was at its zenith. This self-titled fifth album is why Blur is not Oasis. It’s Blur’s Kid A (though their next album, 13, gets more glory from critics). They evolved, and found something new to create. Gone are the cheeky character ditties and bouncy horn sections. Damon’s lyrics are more personal and the music is grittier and more adventurous. Pavement always gets name-checked as a big influence on this album. I don’t have the ear to pinpoint specific moments but the record has a scrappy, lo-fi vibe that feels very Pavement-y. Blur explores a lot of styles and influences here, from trip-hop to lo-fi to space rock to punk to noise rock. I like their explorations but it’s also why I took a star off - the album feels a bit disjointed, like a series of tangents. I think this gets overshadowed by the record that follows it, the masterpiece 13. Self-titled is not my most-listened-to Blur album, but I’m always rewarded when I put it on. Of note: Beetlebum - From the opening riff you can tell this was a completely new sound for Blur. A hazy, addictive track about doing heroin. “Inject this song into my veins” was never more appropriate. I absolutely love this song and it’s one of my favourite Blur singles. Definitely a case for it as their best song. This is also the hottest music video ever made, according to me and the YouTube comments section. The more you scroll the thirstier it gets. Song 2 - Blur’s Creep. This was the band’s idea of a grunge parody. Quiet/loud/quiet with nonsense lyrics and the iconic woo-hoo chorus. An accidental smash hit that gave Damon his longed-for American breakthrough (though it didn’t last). Of course, this was the first Blur song I ever heard. No matter how overplayed it is, I don’t get sick of it. Also the quintessential hockey goal song. Country Sad Ballad Man - This is where the album diverges from the pop-grunge sound of the first two tracks and starts to widen its scope. Kind of a weird song but I don’t hate it. M.O.R. - They’ve cranked up the distortion, but this frenetic Bowie interpolation could have fit right in on Parklife. I think it’s a fun song even though it’s more of a throwback. You’re So Great - A sweet lo-fi love song. It sounds like the vocals were recorded on a toaster but that was the point. This was the first time Graham Coxon sang lead vocals on a Blur album. A little prequel to his greatest triumph, Coffee & TV off 13. I don’t feel like going into a side rant about Graham so I’ll save that for another time. Death of the Party - Dark weird trip-hop-y song that gets into my head. Not sure if the title is an explicit reference to the end of Britpop, but surely that was in Damon’s mind. Great lyric: “Another night, and I thought ‘well, well’ / Go to another party and hang myself / gently on the shelf” Look Inside America - The idea of “America” looms large in Blur’s music. Damon had a pretty tortured relationship with the States, never making it big with Blur the way he wanted to (that would come later with Gorillaz). On this song he seems to be coming to terms with Blur’s lack of stateside success: “Look inside America / she’s alright she’s alright / sitting out in the distance / but I’m not trying to make her mine” At least they had Song 2. Strange News From Another Star - Love, love, love this song. A fame-weary Damon’s tribute to Bowie. While Major Tom is lost in space, Damon can’t find his way on earth. One of Blur’s best deep cuts. Essex Dogs - I love this as an album closer. Spoken word musings by Damon about his hometown over weird buzzing clattering instrumentation. Reminds me of some of Yo La Tengo’s noise jams. A great way to end an adventurous album, and points the way to their brilliant follow-up, the masterful breakup album 13 (hey I didn’t even mention Justine in this review! I’ll save that for another time too).

Done

I bought this album when it came out. I loved it then and it still holds up. Song 2 is the smash hit of course but 'On your own' has always been my favourite and tender is also a marvellous piece of music. In the end though, not all songs on this album are of the same level in my opinion so I can't really give it the full 5 stars.

Highlight Song/s: Beetlebum, Song 2, Country Sad Ballad Man, On Your Own and Death of a Party Blur's self-titled is when they started to and embrace American indie and slacker rock alongside that lo-fi sound that is present on every song. The change into this sound was very much needed, there's only so much you can do with that positive overly-British sound and I believe the 3 albums of it were enough. Now about the song Beetlebum, because I love it so much: Beetlebum is such a dreamy song. The harmonies in that song are just incredible; the calm singing as well. That sliding from the electric guitar in the verses is quite catchy, good bassline, good drums and GOOD EVERYTHING. Beetlebum's lyrics are about heroin, which I learnt from watching a documentary about them (from Trash Theory), the song just hit so much harder once I found that out and I fell in love with it more. The song then accumulates into that magnificent chaotic noisy outro.

Chill album, good for my yesterday's evening. I recommend.

Classic alt rock album, enjoyed listening to this!

Vale leí mal y le puse al de Joni Mitchell la valoración de este, porque leí Blur en vez de Blue xd. El disco de Joni no lo voy a escuchar asiq imaginemonos que es un disco de los 90 que tiene punk y electrónica, cuyas 3 primeras canciones molan y le doy 4 estrellas. La valoración real de Blur está ahí.

Eeeei me gustó bastante bastante este álbum. Me quedo con algunas canciones a parte de la más famosa (Song 2 ) que por mucho que esté quemadísima es la ostia. A veces no me digáis por qué, me daba vibes de david Bowie como cantaba! Sobre todo al final del álbum. Esto no me lo esperaba para nada porque pensaba que el álbum iba a ser más punkero pero no me decepcionó nada. Damon Albarn crush extremo

Pues a ver a mí Blur me gusta mucho, y este álbum tiene temazos como beetlebum o on your own (no estoy diciendo song 2 para hacerme la interesante). El resto de las canciones tb me gustaron bastante, son todas muy Blur. Creo q sobre 10 le pondría un 7'5 así q bueno. Además Damon Albarn es la polla

Had a few good jams!

Can you believe the singer also made gorillaz? 8/10

I was already a Gorillaz fan by the first time I got to this album and remember being pretty dismissive of it but really enjoyed it as a non shitty teen. lots of fun noisy shit going on. Fav tracks: "Country Sad Ballad Man", "Death of a Party", and "Chinese Bombs"

Loved this record when it came out, I had been a Blur fan for a few years but they had definitely exhausted the whimsical character studies of middle England by this point. Tapping into a more lo-fi, exprimental American sound at a time when I was starting to discover different bands like Pavement and Sonic Youth made this a firm favourite of mine. Closer Essex Dogs kind of sets the scene for the even more sprawling 13. I kind of lost interest in Blur a bit there and feel like this is the sweet spot of having some amazing hits like Parklife but with Graham's guitar more prominent on the likes of Beetlebum and Song 2.

3.5

love

This is the fun one. Fits perfectly for a specific mood, while hardly being groundbreaking and having a bunch of really hideous tracks. The treak, I guess, is to not take Blur too seriously, but than, even Blur didn't take this album serious, why people try? On Your Own, You are So Great and Look inside America hurt my ears and Song 2 is ruined by all the commercials it was in. But Beetlebum, Country Sad Ballad Man, Death Of the Party and Strange News from Another Star are the highlights.

The album was great, I've download a few songs and I will continue listening to Blur for sure.

Great album very consistent

Woo hoo

This was a lot better than I expected, having not listened to any of Blur’s other music aside from Song 2.

The genre is my thing. The album was great, but nothing really jumped out as something particularly profound. I'll give it a couple more listens to make sure it wasn't a matter of my mood. Good stuff, but maybe not great?

Spoko

Great songs. Some are playlist songs. I love this album

Hell yeah

Dope

I enjoyed this Blur album more than the other ones I've listened to as part of this project (Parklife & Modern Life is Rubbish) Definitely seeing some shades of Gorillaz in a few of the tracks.

Never felt the urge to listen to any Blur records based on my exposure to their singles which were mostly never to my taste, but enjoyed this. Experimental sounds, with good dynamics and diversity in the songs throughout the album. Great tones from guitar & bass. Will definitely revisit the album.

Hørte på det to ganger, den eneste sangen som satt sæ va «Song 2», som æ jo har hørt før. Det e litt nostalgisk, men ikke veldig.

4- flere pop perler, blandet med mer utflytende å litt eksperimentelle sanger. Look inside America, den hadde jeg glemt av litt, for en fin sang.

90’s alt rock, I like it

A couple of very boring songs here and there, but overall a fantastic album

Hit or miss, but definitely too long... Some great songs, a lot of forgettable ones, should have been much shorter... Still a good overall vibe...

This album has one of the best songs from the era of alt rock in song 2, it's also just a great album!

Ainda que eu só tenha conhecido a banda de fato depois de adulto, escutando os discos e tal, esse álbum é nostálgico de certa forma pra mim por causa de duas músicas, "Song 2" (tema do Fifa 98) e "Look Inside America". Essas eram algumas das poucas músicas que eu tinha ouvido da banda quando adolescente, junto de "Coffee & TV". O Blur não é uma banda espetacular, mas tem uma discografia bastante regular e foi uma das bandas mais importantes dos anos 90. Esse disco álbum não é o melhor deles, mas talvez seja o mais variado, com ótimas canções.

From "Beetlebum" to WOOOOhoooOOO song (2) it is easy to see why this eponymous album is a monolith of Brit pop or whatever the heck you want to call it. Their sound is one that has clearly moved away from the unknowingly, over concerned toothiness of a band like the Beatles or another Brit band I don't really deem to care enough about (I'm discovering that, maybe, I'm a little xenophobic when it comes to British people, specifically those of whom I'm an American counterpart; Jung really eats his heart out for this kind of stuff, projections and jealousy and whatnot) and transitions to a sound receptive to its time while moving the needle, or the whole scale really, of what it means to be a 'serious' or 'unserious' artist. I don't know, maybe I'm trying to say its defiant, but it isn't so in spite of its face. Blur's eponymous album pays tribute to their legacy, and unlike earlier, proto-Blur-sounding albums, it wonderfully defines their sound. All this being said, whatever. I don't really care for pre-00's pop. Still a job well done, 8/10.

not bad not bad not my favorite blur but not bad

Surprisingly enjoyable 4.5

Didn't know any tracks but beetlebum and song 2, thought like most blur this was good but not quite great. I like the blur sound, the chord progressions are always off kilter and getting places I wouldn't expect. Think there were a lot of songs which while good were more of background music than demanding your attention. Which is fine but unlikely to be a favourite. Might benefit from another listen but it's not going to be a 5, 3.5 for now. .

Good stuff. Really good instrumentals and more interesting than a lot of other britpop stuff. Slightly long for what it is though.

Fun rock album, will listen again

Real solid ‘90s BritPop album. Had a bit of everything…

Definitely an 'aggressive and emotional' collection of songs, as described by drummer Dave Rowntree (as compared to the band's prior offerings. "Song 2" will always be a banger, and I was pleasantly surprised by the dark and moody songs that acted as an interesting contrast to "Song 2" and the other faster/more aggressive recordings.

Some great tracks, some filler though, and not keen on weak vocals at times.

This Oasis fan won't switch sides! I get why people like Blur, I get why people prefer Blur to Oasis, I get why Blur is often called more cerebral than Oasis (still, the most cerebral Britpop band is surely Pulp?). I do like many Blur songs. But I just don't connect with them enough.

Substantially better than I thought it would be. Favorites: Chinese Bombs, Movin' on Least Favorites: Beetlebum, Country Sad Ballad Man 3.5

In the great Britpop war of the 90’s where you were either in the Oasis camp or the Blur camp - I always generally tended to lean towards Blur. There was always a certain unpredictability as their discography grew since they tended to be more experimental than the band the media pit them against. This particular album really has a great flow to it with very subtle style changes throughout the tracklist. It’s relaxing, chill, angry, distant, personal, cryptic and upfront and it flips between all of it effortlessly. Simple melodies on the surface, complimented with complex production underneath. It really shows how experimental Albarn was becoming, and how comfortable he was doing so. Personal favourite tracks: Song 2, M.O.R, On Your Own, Chinese Bombs, Look Inside America. I usually appreciate it more when artists evolve as their discography grows. The fact this band never once sat on a particular way of doing things is commendable, in my opinion. I probably lean more towards Gorillaz as that outfit gives Albarn way more room to REALLY experiment. But this is a really, really solid Blur album. 4/5

A thing that non-Britons miss about Blur is that they were considered by the British music press and beyond, even through the Life trilogy, a band for (gasp) the least-discerning music consumers of all time: teenage girls. Pin-ups. Not a boy band exactly, but certainly not Serious Rock Musicians. Even after Popscene, one of the songs credited with kicking off britpop, they were slagged off as a bit preposterous. I had no idea about any of this though I could always detect that the NME and Melody Maker, alongside late 90s music forum posters, were forever looking down on them. Suede and Pulp? Serious bands. Oasis? Ridiculous, but actual rock and rollers. Blur? Cmon, them? Too pretty, too upper class! My experience, otoh, was seeing Damon affect a hip hop or punk frontman posture during the Parklife tour, like, hey, he’s one of us! The songs were a bit too ensconced in provincial concerns and whatnot, but he wears the same clothes as I do, and they like the same bands I do. Gotta check back in on them someday. Well, that day came in the summer of 1997 in Texas, when I was perusing the lone CD store south of Austin and heard “Song 2”, asked a cashier wtf? this is Blur? the Country House guys? and he was like I KNOW! I didn’t quite embrace the whole record at first, this was the same summer as OK Computer, The Wrens’ Overnight Success, my deep Archers of Loaf dive, but over the next 2 years I memorized just about every bit of feedback and non-sequitor on there. Song 2 still had some life before 13 came around and was not yet the arena timeout fixture it became stateside, but the better parts of the record were the murky, noisy, delay-laden album cuts like Essex Dogs, Death of a Party, Strange News, plus the “I can’t believe this is britpop” charms of MOR and On Your Own, let alone the throwback feel of Look Inside America. And then there’s Coxo’s warbly slice of heartfelt perfection, You’re so Great, maybe the most lo-fi GBV thing on here, just with better guitar-playing (sorry Bob). This all set them up unfairly in my own mind as the band that could give Radiohead a run for Best Band heading into the 2000s, but oh well, things took a turn.

5/12/25. Love Blur, and this album in particular because they tried to take a different direction from "Britpop" and they succeeded. Outside of the obvious Song 2, there are lot of good gems in this one.

At the end Blur got really better and more interesting. Sure, there's Song 2 (and it's a hit come on, you'd have to be a cold fish not to enjoy this song, it's a bit like Smells Like Teen Spirit), but the rest of the album is pretty nice to listen to, they are trying to explore different territories, it doesn't always perfectly work but at least they tried.

Este disco les abrió la puertas de América, ya fuera con la beatlemaniaca Beetlebum o la célebre punk Song 2 como temas centrales. Hay de todo ,el Bowie berlinés en M.O.R., más Brit Rock en Country salad ballad man, trip hop I’m Just a Killer for Your Love, la oscura Theme from Retro, la dulce You’re So Great con G. Coxon a la voz principal o el cierre con la electrónica Essex Dogs. Diverso y variado, y de gran calidad. Fue un álbum muy importante en un año excelente. De aquí les siguió uno aún mejor: 13. Aun así son mejores Modern Life Is Rubbish y obviamente su obra maestra Parklife. También el último The ballad of Darren. Se acabó la fiesta brit y comenzaba la crisis para muchos, pero ellos, listos como nadie, ya estaban a otra cosa. Discos del 97: Radiohead: OK Computer, Spiritualized: Ladies And Gentlemen We’re Floating In Space, The Prodigy: The fat of the land, The Verve: Urban Hymns, Cornershop: When I Was Born For The 7th Time, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: The Boatman’s Call, Erykah Badu: Baduizm, Wilco: Being There, Portishead: Portishead, Primal Scream: Vanishing Point, Tindersticks: Curtains, Björk: Homogenic, Bob Dylan: Time Out Of Mind, Yo La Tengo: I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One, The Chemical Brothers: Dig Your Own Hole, Belle And Sebastian: If You’re Feeling Sinister, Shleep de Robert Wyatt Teenage Fanclub: Songs From Northern Britain, Mogwai: Young Team, Daft Punk: Homework, Stereolab: Doots And Loops, The Make-Up: Sound Verite, Eels: Beautiful Freak, Erykah Badu: Baduizm, Echo & The Bunnymen: Evergreen, Prefab Sprout: Andromeda heights, Dinoasaur Jr.: Hand It Over, Buenavista Social Club: Buenavista Social Club, Elliott Smith: Either, Or, Janet Jackson: The velvet rope, Smog; Red apple falls, Built to Spill: Perfecto from now on, The Jayhwaks: Sound of lies, Kent: Isola, Ocean Colour Scene: Marchin' already, Paul Weller: Heavy soul, Cotton Maher: Kontiki, Luna: Pup Tent, Foo Fighters: The colour and the shape... Y también: Spice Girls: Spiceworld, U2: Pop o Aqua: aquarium...

More interesting, experimental and diverse than I originally thought. Song 2 is still, despite being overplayed, a banger!

A return to form by the Blur boys

What the hell is a beetlebum? There's so many cool bits of guitar work that I enjoyed (M.O.R scratchy harmonics., Country Sad Ballad Man....whatever that was) but I ultimately just don't enjoy the vocal style they use for the majority of the record, which is a departure from the one song I actually knew (Song 2, naturally). Genuinely full of surprises though - Chinese Bombs threw me for an absolute loop. Overall, I liked it, even past the vocals.

9 out of 10

This one has grown on me over the years. This album gets overlooked because if “Sing 2,” which is fun, but there’s a lot of good things going on here. Much like Radiohead, they creat a cool vibe with distorted guitars. Love it.

I was latecomer to Blur's music, except for the big hits, but then really got into them over the last few years. Now they're one of my favorites. If I were to hear one of their albums without knowing the release date, I would have a hard time figuring out what decade they were from...which is one of the best things about them. Favorite tracks: You're So Great, Beetlebum, Song 2

I wanted to like this more but I just don't think they had more than a couple of great songs in them. Their desire to be the Beatles, the Clash, and the Smiths all rolled into one is palpable. Beetlebum is their best song, but in reality they most closely resemble the Beatles in that their early and late work have nothing in common. 3.5

This is blur's "post-success" album. Their previous record, 1995's The Great Escape, was a huge hit, but it really wasn't that great. The band members, particularly Graham Coxon, were miserable with the direction they had taken, and that shows in this album. Coxon's love for American indie rock like Sonic Youth and Pavement is apparent in his guitar work, while you can hear the outline of what would someday become Gorillaz in tracks like On Your Own, I'm Just a Killer for Your Love, and Death of a Party. I would say this is Blur's most cohesive record, thematically messy and miserable, with hints of their past and future mixed together. Unfortunately, it does suffer from the bloat that all blur albums seem to have, but the good tracks are absolutely killer. My favorites are beetlebum (possibly their best song), song 2, death of a party, and you're so great. (Side note that I will expand upon when Modern Life is Rubbish comes up: Graham Coxon is, in my opinion, one of the all time great guitarists and he really doesn't get the appreciation he deserves. But, like I said, I'll come back to it. This review is long enough already. Also, 13 should probably be on this list.)

No es el mejor album de Blur pero ellos se merecen estar en esta selección

Very distinctive frontman :) Quite a mix of very catchy motives with some, almost, experminetal stuff. Love how some songs barely balance on the edge of decomposing into chaos.Not the best mix though. It's my second one and again it's close enough for my taste. Rather simplistic and popy

probably not going in the intended way of mostly knowing him from Gorillaz, so this feels restricted in a weird way, as I guess with Gorillaz, there's so much creative freedom. There is some really good songwriting and composition in here. I'm pretty sure the heavier songs like song 2 were making fun of the grunge stuff but they are also quite good despite that. He's obviously an amazing singer, and guitar parts are amazing. Some songs are really messy and feel a bit lazy. Favourite songs: beetlebum, song 2, M.O.R, theme from retro, death of a party, I'm just a killer for your love, strange news from another star, Essex dogs. Overall around 7/10

I’d never listened to anything other than Song 2 but I was impressed. Grungy 90s rock but a decent amount of range and variety between the tracks.

For some reason I never listened to this album before today and looks like I was missing out. Really enjoyed it and a departure from Parklife.

Solid album. I’d give it a 7/10 but I’ll round up to 4 stars. Sounds like lots of inspiration from the British Invasion. Thought I heard some bits from the Kinks, but it all comes pretty close sounding to Oasis too. Enjoyable rock album. The first two songs were definitely the strongest for me.

I've always wanted to get more into Blur so happy this came up fairly early on A lot of people seem to complain that they just copied American alt rock and grunge on this but I like that they did that and managed to retain their own personality. It does sound a lot like those styles, but it stills sounds like Blur to me. I'm Just a Killer For Your Love is a good example There's a good amount of variety too. Beetlebum has an airy, carefree quality, while Country Sad Ballad Man has a bit of a lofi twang. Everyone says they're sick of Song 2 but I don't feel like I actually hear it that much. I love the thick chunky bass and the riff is cool, doesn't bother me that it was supposed to be a bit of a pisstake because it's a great tune The album is maybe slightly too long and could've been slightly trimmed, (I'd probably say M.O.R. and On Your Own, I wasn't too fond of those) but it's not too big an issue Highlights: Song 2, Country Sad Ballad Man, Beetlebum I'm Just a Killer For Your Love

Ich liebe Damons Stimme, egal in welchem Projekt. Das Album war medium, paar schöne Britpop Sounds, paar nicht so geil. Song 2 ist 5/5.

I have come to appreciate the lack of cynicism in 90s Brit-Pop. This album, inspired by American Indie Rock, adds a counter culture edge but maintains it's pop sincerity.

I haven't listened to this album in its entirety for about 20 years. Absolutely blown away by how well it holds up in 2025.

So much better than I thought it would be. Song 2 sucks

I think I may have reviewed another Blur album here at one point and this one is... better. It has that more solid 90's alt post-punk, electronic leaning vibe I like. Sometimes I think of music as really straightforward, to like or dislike based on various criteria, blah blah blah, but sometimes there is something a bit less feasible or clear and it is most apparent between the same bands albums where one is a yes and one is a no, same musicians, different world. This album just has "something" that the last one does not, and it is a nice groove. Because of my strong wish not to underrate any music in general and give it the fair to middling three stars automatically, I will slightly overrate this album simply to distinguish it from the rest.

Fun album, but most songs are forgettable. Beetlebum, song 2 and death of a party are great

Muy bueno y buenos recuerdos

Albumi #196, 11.04.2025 Blurin viides albumi julkaistiin vuonna 1997. Mielestäni yksi parhaista Blurin albumeista, jolta ei oikeastaan löydy huonoa kappaletta.

So much more than just Song 2. Really cool album.

Looking For America, With Its Kooky Nights And Suicide 1001 Albums Generator 4 (04/08/2025) Before listening to this album, I knew precisely two things about Blur: that they were one of the big four of the Britpop movement and that they had that song that goes “WOO HOO!”. These two facts existed in conflict in my mind, as Song 2, though poppy and British, is decidedly not Britpop, but I honestly didn’t think much of it. Blur, the self-titled fifth album by Damon Albarn’s Blur solves the mystery. You see, Blur was the first of Britpop's big four to shed themselves of the genre, and Blur was the album that marked this shift in their career. It also happens to contain their biggest hit, Song 2 (the WOO HOO! song). Let's start here. When listening to this song with the context of Blur beginning to move away from Britpop, which never took off in America due to being "too British" (those Revolutionary War grudges go deep I guess), it is impossible to not feel as though this was a big fuck you to the American music industry, showing that they could have a hit in the states if they wanted to. The song is comically simple on its surface, and started out as a joke between Albarn and guitarist Graham Coxon. But, and maybe this is due to the fact that I am an American, this song is amazing. It is perfectly catchy, fuzzy, and faux-amateurish, but with the polish of a band in the midst of their prime. This album is nearly as eclectic as an album squarely in the alt/indie rock sound can be. The first five songs are an amazing run, featuring the two biggest hits in Beetlebum and Song 2, the nearly alt-country Country Sad Ballad Man, the upbeat, punky M.O.R., and the psychedelic On Your Own, which features great acoustic/electric guitar layering. Honestly, if you were to diffuse this album down to its core sounds and influences, it would probably look something like this run of five. Other highlights include Death of a Party, which has an amazing organ sound and great lyrics about the rise of AIDS in the party scene, and the hardcore punk rock Chinese Bombs, an homage to the late great Bruce Lee. Movin' On is one of the best "garage rock" type songs here. The repeated highly fuzzed riff that plays throughout the verses between vocal phrases and the chorus with its wordless backing vocals are both so catchy. The eclecticism of this album works against it at points. You’re So Great, I'm Just a Killer For Your Love, and Strange News From Another Star are relatively soft, sleepy, psychedelic songs that don’t stick with me. Essex Dogs, the experimental closing track, feels more like a studio exercise than a full blown song. Some of those exercises work; the last 2 minutes of the song are quite striking, but the song does not feel cohesive. My first foray into the works of Damon Albarn outside of his work with (as?) Gorillaz is a mixed bag. Masterfully produced throughout, there’s more good than bad here, especially in the first half, but there’s a handful of songs that don’t do anything for me. Solid 3.5/5 Favs: Song 2 M.O.R. Death of a Party Least Fav: Strange News From Another Star

A favorite from the 90’s

Enjoyed

Sure it’s a bit wanky, but solid fun regardless

Blur may have woefully lost the Battle of Britpop, but their charm and charisma make them leagues better than Oasis. 4/5

3.8 - I liked this more than the others I think. His voice is still a struggle though

I think everyone knows Song 2 but everyone should know death of a party

Blur by Blur has two big hits, Beetlebum and Song 2, but the rest of the album it pretty good too. Maybe they could have cut a couple of tracks from it and made it a bit more tight, but it's still really good altogether.

Did a father Ted joke in my pulp review, can’t reuse the same joke here. Well I can, but that would be tacky. Song 2 may be over played, but it’s a song that sounds so good & has such a strong energy that it managed to break the britpop barrier & make it through to the states and the rest of the world. I like that you can feel this evolving as the album goes on, there’s some songs like On Your Own & Death of A Party that have a sound that’s a little more electronic, more Radiohead than britpop at some points. You can kind of hear Gorillaz starting to materialise in Damon’s vocals and the overall sound during some of the later songs. Overall, big fan - a very cool album.

Big fan of blur as they were one of the first bands I got really into. This is not my favorite of theirs, even though I do still love it, and obviously it’s an important album in their discography as a transition in their sound.

More Indy than Brit-Pop.

it's good, song 2 is kinda whatever

Woo Hoo!

8/10 Blur’s always been a bit of an exception to the lackluster British Pop scene for me, although this record marks a transitional period where they essentially gave up on needing to make Britpop. The band had been pretty big, enough to warrant the discussion behind who was the better Britpop act with Oasis. It wasn’t much of a debate, but by 1995, Oasis had pretty much won the battle of the best British act of the 90s, so blur would decide to make good music instead. blur is a funny album, it gave them their biggest hit which was essentially a parody song, it’s so stylistically trying to distance itself from Britpop, and embraces stuff like Slacker Rock, Experimental Rock, and Trip hop instead, stuff that would be a great precursor to their next magnum opus 13, and eventually Gorillaz. It’s flawed, not every experiment lands, some of it is still British, but it’s still such a cool transitional point in their career. I wouldn’t like to be British either Damon.

I feel like I always overlook this album because despite having listened through the album multiple times, not many of the songs are ones I tend to go back to. BUT the ones I do go back to from this album are like my favorite Blur songs so they get points for that. Hearing all of them in context after listening to them independently for awhile was so crazy because it’s really such a roller coaster….the energy is constantly going between somber and goofy and at times was a little jarring. But I don’t necessarily hate it because it kept it interesting — no two back-to-back songs felt similar at all so at any given point I did not know what was coming next. I think the more indie rock-leaning songs were not my favorites (”Movin’ On”, “M.O.R.”). I know that this album famously has Pavement influences and tbh that’s not really my kind of music (SORRY EMILIA) so that’s probably why those don’t resonate with me as much. I do love the kind of sinister sound on a lot of tracks (”Death of a Party”, “I’m Just a Killer for your Love”, “Essex Dogs”) and definitely gravitate towards those. I like that they both sound like real instruments but also pretty unnatural, as if they’ve been warped or messed with to a point of sounding kind of otherworldly and foreboding (or even kind of industrial??) And then “Beetlebum” and “You’re So Great” are just two of the most beautiful songs EVER to me. All in all it’s pretty good. Fav tracks: Beetlebum, You’re So Great, Death of a Party

I’ve listened to a lot of Blur and probably even heard every album but I don’t know them as in depth as a lot of Damon’s other projects, but I’ll say, the other dudes deserve some recognition for their sound. It’s not just the Damon show. Do I know their other names? Of course not.

Some bangers, some duds

I like blur. Also song 2 has got some grunge to it. Not a 5 though, only a few memorable songs

Love this album

7/10

Beetlebum was pretty good, and Song 2 is super popular for a reason. The rest of the album was filled with more average rock tinged Brit pop - it wasn’t bad at all, and I’d happily listen to the full album again, but it just wasn’t very memorable.

WOO-HOO 💥

"Blur" is the fifth studio album by English rock band Blur. The band had been previously critical of American popular culture but they ended up moving away from their Britpop towards a more aggressive style influenced by American indie bands, particularly noted is Pavement. Hence, the Wiki-listed genres for this album are indie rock, lo-fi, alternative rock, art rock and experimental rock. The album was their last with producer Stephen Street and he purposely went with a more stripped down approach. (minimal strings and horns). The bandmembers were Damon Albarn (lead vocals, piano, keyboards, organ, acoustic guitar), Graham Coxon (guitars, backing and lead vocals, theremin), Alex James (bass) and Dave Rowtree (drums). Commercially, the album reached #1 in the UK and #61 in the US. Critically, the album had mostly positive reviews. "Beetlebum" starts out with a ticking noise, guitar riffs and Albarn's voice. Drums come in and there's an anxious vibe. Albarn goes falsetto and with backing vocals, this sounds very pyschedelic and Beatle-esque. There's a back and forth between the guitar riffs and pyschedelia. The song is about Albarn heroin experiences with then-girlfriend Justine Fleischman. Drums, the guitar and Albarn's famous "woo-hoo" gets "Song 2" into gear. Searing guitar, fuzzy bass. They get fast-slow-fast dynamic going. Why named "Song 2?" Well, it's the second song on the album and it's 2 minutes and 2 seconds long. It's been far and away the most played Blur song in the US. "M.O.R. is supposedly a homage to Mott the Hoople. Well, it does have a catchy power pop tone. With distorted, echoing guitars, it also reminded my of Sonic Youth. There will be a lot more US indie band resemblances to be heard. A drum machine and weird synth noise introduce "In Your Own." Coxon on what sounds like a Black Crowe's guitar riff. OK...nothing bad there. Albarn singing and rapping. There's handclapping. Here's your lo-fi and, of course, we need to mention Pavement and Weezer. Graham Coxon takes over lead vocals on his mostly acoustic "You're so Great." It seems to be about his struggles with alcoholism. He conjures up Dinosaur Jr.'s J. Mascis on the guitar solo. Well, now, well....Albarn seems to have changed his mind about the US in "Look Inside America." This is maybe the only sort-of Britpop song on the album. There's strings. He's accepting America. Albarn sounds like David Bowie in "Kooks." Again, nothing wrong with that. This album covered a lot ground...pyschedelic 60's, weird ballads, power pop, space rock, punk and even their Britpop. And the influences of Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., the Beatles, the Kinks, Guided by Voices, the Black Crowes and David Bowie could be heard. It's different than any previous Blur album that I've heard, it's quite long at 60 minutes and, sometimes, it's kind of a mess but... I enjoyed this album quite a bit. No, it's not their best; you can argue over "Modern Life is Rubbish," "Parklife," or "13." However, there's a lot here that's done quite well and worth a listen.

Not what I expected. Very cool. Very Gorillaz

Song 2 AND Beetlebum 👌

indie noventista + britpop = esse álbum, mto bom

WOO-HOO! é britpop mas com uma pegada de indie estadunidense né. praticamente um "escutei pavement e sonic youth com minha banda de britpop e olha no que deu". longe de ser uma crítica btw. eu gostei bastante

Some classic tracks, and can see it's influence clearly on what came after. Interesting listen, but not sure I'd come back often

Pretty good Influential

It was good, never listened to the whole thing before

Fantastic start with Song 2 & Beetlebum, the rest of the album didn't feel that special anymore. Still, Blur holds fantastic memories of de Lokerse for me.

Alleen al voor Beetlebum en Song 2 zou ik dit album 5 sterren geven, dus ik moet mezelf tegenhouden. True, twee fucking goeie nummers, maar voor de rest heb je wel een paar oké nummers, zoals You're so Great en Country Sad Ballad Man, maar dat is het ook. 3.7

About 500 albums deep in this thing, I really grumble when a 90s britrock album comes up. No different for this one. But ya know what? Wheat/chaff. This album is wheat. Song 2 will never not be annoying but I think they knew that too. The rest is real nice, some cool guitar stuff, good vocals, creative and varied songs.

Done

This was a cool album. Song #2 is a CLASSIC hockey song that I have known forever but they had a unique rock sound to the rest of their stuff that had a good blend of harder and softer rock elements to it. They don’t have the obnoxious voice sound some of the British artists have so that was a big bonus too.

Very nice! 8.5/10

Blur - Blur Album Review Blur’s self-titled 1997 album was their grand reinvention, a bold left turn that saw them ditch the knees-up Britpop anthems in favor of something grittier, artier, and—let’s be honest—a bit more American. Gone were the chirpy cockney tales of bus stops and greasy spoon breakfasts; instead, we got fuzzy guitars, existential mumbling, and a general sense that Damon Albarn had been spending a lot of time in a dark room, listening to Pavement and questioning his life choices. It was a sonic reinvention that critics ate up, and fair play—Blur is an excellent album. But let’s not get carried away. It’s not Oasis, is it That’s not to say the album doesn’t slap. Song 2 alone is scientifically proven to make any activity 64% more exciting—whether it’s playing football, Cleaning a room, or just making a sandwich. Beetlebum is a proper slinky, woozy gem that makes you feel like you’ve just woken up with a banging hangover, On Your Own is weirdly brilliant, and Look Inside America might be one of Blur's finest moments. Even the more experimental bits like Essex Dogs have a certain chaotic charm. It’s an album of textures, moods, and grungy weirdness, and the fact that Blur pulled it off so well proves they were more than just Britpop’s cheeky chappies.

It’s likely everyone knows “Song 2” which is Blur’s flagship song in the states. Outside that, the tracks tend to reflect the band’s influences like post-punk, krautrock, and what I assume is a direct homage to Bowie (“Strange News from Anothet Star”). Overall, I like it quite a bit and a good bit more than their debut, but there is still too much filler to make it 5 stars.

Favourite songs: - Beetlebum - Song 2

Love this album Own this album great songs and great band

Mixed bag, graham coxon is genius

Much more than just the American indie influences, think it still holds up

There's some songs I like from here. 4 out of 5.

I really enjoyed it! I liked just about every song.

I only knew song 2, but everything else was top notch, crazy distorted guitars, Albarns Bowie like vocals, it all just messed together so so well. They're kinda like an evil gorillaz. 4.5/5.

Levei um bom tempo para ouvir o disco completo e dois minutos de Song 2 não representam o disco todo que é muito bem produzido para um primeiro disco.

Good indie music, all the stuff I like. Looper pedals creating moody instrumentals, bangers from my childhood, storybook Brit rock, etc. while song 2 kinda sucks it’s also pretty good and the band has a good sound.

This and Parklife stand up surprisingly well, even if both have a bit too much filler in the second half. Anyway, this was always the one I preferred by a good way. Bought my (probably knock off) cassette in an electronics market somewhere in Karachi in '97, and I'm getting some weird flashbacks to there from listening...

Great, but a couple songs i don't like

Beetlebum, the guitar is so distorted, not shocking. Main vocal is an interesting melody, like that he switched from head to chest voice so easy. Lyrics are simple and confusing, horney and sad. Drums are easy and fun. Lead guitar has a little moment towards the end. This song could have ended a minute earlier for me. Song 2, an absolute classic. This is their peak?! surely. The guitar distortion is perfect, the drums perfectly simple. Lyrics and melody just sink in to your skin, the delivery is so so good. Only he can sing this song properly. The accent so prominent is incredible. All 2 minute songs are perfect, that is my theory, it could be brain rot that has caused this opinion however I believe a 2 min song doesn’t give an artist a chance to fuck up something brilliant by trying to add to it. Country Sad, the weird noises at the start, scratch my brain. I love that he just sings in such strange ways, it adds to their sound so much. This song has stuff that fucks with the key it’s in and it’s fun. I think these lyrics are just about being a normal fluctuating sad man??! idk. The crash out at the end is a lot, works well. M.O.R, oh this whole intro is banging. Beatles sounding backing vocals for sure. I like the energy of this track but i don’t think it’s their most memorable. On Your Own, feels somewhat indie country twang?! it’s the four on the floor beat and the tabourine??! Love the lyrics, feels like it’s about being famous but really trying to remind people you’re just humans in a band. “My joy of life is on a roll, And we’ll all be the same in the end” Theme From Retro, feels like a bit of a filler song for me. It’s interesting and breaks it up but don’t think it was a necessary part of the album. You’re So Great, lyrics are relatable and lovely. The placement of his voice in the mix sounds like a hungover conscience being nurtured by the instruments. The instruments being the people you love around ya. “City’s alive, a surprise, so am i” and “And i feel the light when you tell me it’s okay” encapsulates the energy perfectly. Death of a Party, almost circus sounds coming from a synth? A great song asking is it really all worth the hangover they’ve just had lol. You can keep going to “enjoy” yourself. But the more you go to the more you’ll “hang yourself….gently on the shelf” by the end of it. Chinese Bombs, welll it comes straight in as i’m sure a bomb would (sorry that’s insensitive). However I the line “Bruce Lee come, save the day” would also be seen as distasteful. This is a heavy topic to cover in 1:23 but i guess they did that so?? not sure how to feel truly. I’m Just a Killer, kind of similar sounds wise to the one before, a wall of noise situation. Damon really doesn’t push his vocals forward very much. It’s really interesting. Not my fave track. Look inside America, vocals!! off the bat loud and clear. The band is so tight of course. Great bass. He’s speaking about how hard it is to break America! All the “second rate chat-show” performances that have to be done for example. “Look inside America, she’s alright….But i’m not trying to make her mine”. Think this really shows they were happy with their success inside the UK and after this album and success of Song 2, i wonder how they look back on this song?! Strange News, veryyyyy bowie. Almost nonsensical but not at all? feeling really lost within the world. The soundscape is really otherworldly noises i like it. Again they mess with keys and it’s interesting. Very floaty song, nice to escape to. Moving on, has the clicking track sound at the beginning. very cool choice. Again his vocals so low in the production, letting the instruments do the main talking. Singing about how weird it is to be at the forefront of a style?? like you really have to just move on with it, believe in it. They did that and I hope they had fun making such a big wave, as hard as it may have been to ride. Last track, Essex Dogs. Sounds like a revving engine. Was not expecting those drums, like an r&b sound. The two sounds are not married but they work. The guitars try to pull it together. Oh talking, our accent is so good lol. This is chatting about the gritttty reality of a big city, like london. “You’ll catch the flu, or you’ll catch the city” incredible work. Good ending to this maaad sounding album. Hold on. I thought it was over and it’s not. A mini song at the end?! an extended outro. could live without it but a cool touch. It has to be a 4, listening it all the way through again will happen at some point. But i’m not turning it back on immediately. I mean maybe song 2 hehe. Album artwork is a 4 for me too, love the colour, the acc blur also good work. tiny bit anxiety inducing if i’m honest.

Really cool record, can definitely hear some Beatles & Bowie influence here. Really enjoyed it but it was something i should have gotten into when i was younger, the 90s britpop essence didn't quite resonate with me (especially now) but i enjoyed the album either way. Some great guitar solos and it felt kind of scruffy but also neat in a way, crunchy and raw but well executed.

4 stars, plenty of great tunes, beetlebum, song 2, killer for your love, several others.

Heard it before. The first album where they tried dropping their goofy britpop shtick (but still some songs are goofy-ish). What can I say, I have some nostalgia for Blur. 13 is better though. 4/5

High 3.5 on first listen for Blur. Didn’t dig it as much as Modern Life and Parklife, but still liked it a decent bit. Favorite songs on first listen were “On Your Own”, “Death of a Party”, and “Look Inside America”. 3.5/5

Gorillaz

4 sterne

First? 3/5 Again? 4/5

I remember hearing this album back in the ’90s, but I didn’t have a clear memory of what it sounded like. Listening to it now, it’s amazing to pick up on the experimental and lo-fi elements that align so well with what Damon Albarn would later develop in Gorillaz. Some tracks really showcase a moodier, textured sound that feels like a precursor to Gorillaz’s atmospheric style. You can tell Albarn was moving away from the Britpop sound of the early ’90s. His vocal delivery here starts to embrace that lazy, detached style he uses in Gorillaz. The album incorporates experimental rhythms, loops, and a rougher, lo-fi production, while also dabbling in garage rock, indie, and electronic elements. There are even hints of hip-hop, dub, and funk influences in the mix. Overall, this album feels like a transitional moment, and not just for Blur moving beyond Britpop, but for Albarn laying the groundwork for what would come with Gorillaz.

Beetlebum ist ein mega Song. Der Rest auch super. Gutes Album.

I ‘m not immediately connected with it but I think it’s good enough to deserve another listen. 3.5

I love 'Beetlebum', obviously 'Song 2' is iconic, but then 'Country Sad Ballad Man' and 'M.O.R.' are just kind of forgettable. They fall into forgetfulness. 'On Your Own' is a little better. Not sure why he's singing so closely to David Bowie, but I don't necessarily mind it. It's a fun song. 'Theme from Retro' has an interesting intro, production wise, but ultimately ends up being pretty boring. Could have gone a lot of cool places, but decided to stay home is how I felt. I did really enjoy 'You're so Great'. That was nice. I liked the "chunky" production or however it was produced. The intro to 'Death of a Party' was really good. Really unique and original and well done. That energy stayed throughout the whole song. 'Chinese Bombs' felt like another sort of throwaway. Nothing there I latched onto. 'I'm Just a Killer for Your Love' was really nice. Felt authentic and I liked it a lot. The David Bowie impression returns for 'Look Inside America'. He stays for the next song, as well. The similarity isn't a bad thing, but just a tad derivative. 'Movin' On' is fine. Nothing too exciting going on there. The finale is just a bit long and drags. Not sure their goal on 'Essex Dogs', but I didn't get it. Overall, enjoyed the album, but it wasn't mind blowing. 4/5

Good album and is still relevant in todays music. Would listen to this again

This album came out in my senior year of high school. Song 2 was a staple of alternative radio for years after (still kind of is). Though, somehow I've never heard 90% of the rest of this album. Which is too bad, I really enjoyed it. I remember vividly, some time in the first couple months after this came out, my mom and I were moving a couch from one room to another and Song 2 came on the radio. I very loudly sang along with the "WOO HOO" which totally freaked my mom out and almost caused her to drop the couch. Then we both laughed hysterically. Great memory. RIP mom.

Liked this more than I thought I would.

Woo Hooo

I love Blur now more than ever. Oasis was a joke in comparison. And Song 2 - instant classic!

Love their sound!

Song 2 was inescapable at the time. There is so much more to this record. A lot of varied material and a big step away from the traditional britpop in the earlier records.

Good album

woo hoo 4/5

I remember hearing this album back in the ’90s, but I didn’t have a clear memory of what it sounded like. Listening to it now, it’s amazing to pick up on the experimental and lo-fi elements that align so well with what Damon Albarn would later develop in Gorillaz. Some tracks really showcase a moodier, textured sound that feels like a precursor to Gorillaz’s atmospheric style. You can tell Albarn was moving away from the Britpop sound of the early ’90s. His vocal delivery here starts to embrace that lazy, detached style he uses in Gorillaz. The album incorporates experimental rhythms, loops, and a rougher, lo-fi production, while also dabbling in garage rock, indie, and electronic elements. There are even hints of hip-hop, dub, and funk influences in the mix. Overall, this album feels like a transitional moment, and not just for Blur moving beyond Britpop, but for Albarn laying the groundwork for what would come with Gorillaz.

started of well. lost me at the end hard

I really like the harp in Look Inside America. Strange News From a Star is so cool.

Highly enjoyable. 3.5 but rounding up out of Christmas spirit.

he really sounds like that

They lost me a bit in the middle, and the fact they wanted to release Essex Dogs as a single is insane to me, but if you are looking for experimental indie at its finest, Blur really achieved this with this album. I feel like 4 is too high, I would give it a 3.5, but such id our flawed voting system that I have to round up.

As a huge Gorillaz fan, this album seems as a catalyst for Damon Albarn's future band. Each song feels like its own unique alternative rock adventure, mixed with some Gorillaz-like sounds. Favorite Song: "Theme From Retro"

It's funny - I absolutely love On Your Own - and do still like Song 2 - but I cannot really remember the rest of the album or me listening to it - usually albums are fixed in a place/ time for me. This came out in 97 so must have been university - but not sparking any memories. Enjoyable listen. Much prefer Blur post the britpop flimsy. Not quite a 5.

This album was hailed as Blur's pivot from Britpop into the Alternative/Indie territorry. However, when I first heard I couldn't really see the difference all that well. I was already familar with "Song 2" but the rest of the album doesn't sound anything like it. I actually think this is one of Blur's best albums, and it didn't need to disassociate itself from the Britpop scene, although I do understand why they did it, as the whole movement came crashing down after Oasis released Be Here Now. Key tracks: Beetlebum Song 2 Death of a Party Strange News from Another Star

Above my expectations, I thought it was going to be that one hit song and a lot of filler but there was some nice variety.

Was this the third Blur album or 4th? Anyone i liked it the best of them all!

Death of a Party in those athmospheric scenes of the film All of Us Strangers...ahhh. But the whole album is iconic.

Not as britpoppy/mod as Parklife. Song 2 is the standout. Solid album

xx

Used to love this album and Song 2 brings back tons of good memories from high school and college. It's catchy and fun and overall pretty awesome (even if the words don't really make sense). The rest of the album was kind of good, but not near as good as I remember it.

Muy bueno

so far... might take this over my fav Oasis album... but does this have champagne supernova... hm... we will find out... you're so great? whatever it is, this is a proper 4.5. (btw last song def not champagne supernova yuck lol)

The Wiki said this album was their "American album" so maybe they are pandering to me a bit, but I love the mix of strummy, fuzzy guitars and droning, lifting lyrics beyond the big singles.

This is my first time listening to this. I had heard "Song 2" many times but did not know the name of the song or the artist before today. I thought this was OK and could hear the Beatles' influences on some of the songs. I was happier with the songs that had Ian Hunter/ Mott the Hoople influences. I will listen to this again.

Very enjoyable. Wish I'd paid more attention to them. I can't say it's a 5-star classic, but it's highly listened and I enjoy their vibe.

One of the big Brit rock records, I was into Oasis even more and I didn't get this album until discounts hit it later. As a metal guy Song 2 hit me harder, while I appreciate the rest of the album too. I remember being quite indifferent to the ridiculous notion where you had to "choose your side" over Oasis or Blur and sometimes Pulp aswell. It's not my favourite, but it's not bad either, quite enjoyable record in fact.

Really enjoyed this

3.5

Some bangerz. Need another listen to appreciate the others more.

great work

There are so many great Blur recordings, and this is definitely one of them

Paar echt leuke nummers, maar ook toch echt veel net te meh

I liked it. It’s pretty chill while having good songs on it

Blur's alternative phase. I really like a lot of it, some of it doesn't quite hit though.

This is definitely a slow burner that repays multiple listens. And it is one of those albums that sounds better on the headphones for some reason. Goes on just a bit too long to earn a 5 from me

curti

Best Blur album I've heard so far. Most songs are quite good. Most of the experimental things worked out well.

first listen really solid with some standout tracks that are legitimately cool

I'm probably gonna be incredibly biased for this one because Blur is one of my favorite bands and I just saw them live a year ago. This album is britpop masterclass. Beetlebum is one of the best album openers ever, and this album also has a lot of great album-only tracks like M.O.R., Death of a Party, Chinese Bombs and Strange News from Another Star. So sad that americans sleep on Blur and britpop as a whole. They're really missing out. And it's not even my favorite Blur album, that award goes to The Great Escape

Good album, top band

A band I’m familiar with and happy to explore more of. Some good radio hits and some other new-to-me songs. A good mix, lots of good songs and something I could see myself listening to again.

so tell me now, what you are made of this is what, graves are made of very, very good album

Not a bad Brit pop record!

3.5

Back in 2022, I gave this (7.5) ★★★½ on my 1997 dive. After giving it a relisten, we'll, it is very front loaded. The first eight tracks I was like what was I thinking... 4½ easy. But from "Chinese Bombs" on it's a flat 3½. To make matters worse I truly disliked "Essex Dogs" (ending on a song I kinda hate is a good way to bomb a score) But this time I'm going up to a light 4... It's easily the best Britpop album we've heard so far. It's not a carbon copy of other Britpop acts. It's got it's own swagger, and I like that about this album. Even if the back half falls off a bit. Blur [1997] (8.1) ★★★★

Excellent Blur album. 4.5

Scraggy, smack-induced, Pavement-inspired semi-comeback after their burnout with Britpop on The Great Escape. This holds up much better and is a great record overall, kickstarting with two of their most iconic and enduring singles with the Beatlesy Beetlebum and sports arena mainstay Song 2. There’s cool, lo-fi slacker elements on Ballad Of A Country Sad Man and Graham Coxon ballad You’re So Great, tinge of techno on thumping, titanic On Your Own, haunted pier vibes on Theme From Retro and Death Of A Party, a burly blast of Bowie Boys Keep Swining rip-off on M.O.R and grisly urban/East End safari on experimental closer Essex Dogs. First half has all the hits but album is loaded with solid tunage from practically start to end and still sounds fresh and modern. 4.5 stars.

Going 4 on this, always liked this album a lot but it is a bit too long. There’s an easy 4.5 to 5 star album here if they trimmed it down a bit.

It's a really good 90s rock album. The funny thing is, I've heard a bunch of the songs before, but I don't know who the artist is. The sound of this album is utterly nostalgic, brave, and impressive. I feel like being transported back to the time and doing things that I've never done before. Overall, a solid album that deserves every attention.

Beetlebum and Song 2 are phenomenal. I guess there's a reason why they're the only two songs I know from this album. The rest of the album was fine but they really put their best songs right at the beginning. Just barely giving this one 4 stars.

Blur's self-titled album was their fifth, and a departure from their previous work. The band was among the successful brit-pop acts of the early nineties, and this album is more aggressive, edgier alt-rock than their first few albums. This led to mixed reviews in Britain, but was very well received outside of the UK. The single "Song 2" was the band's biggest hit single in the US, and pushed this album to be the band's most commercially successful. With punchy guitars from punk or grunge, and electronic effects giving a psychedelic hint, these are not typically brit-pop songs. These songs sound like the band was influenced by other 90s artists like Pavement and Beck, and the result was an interesting development in the band's sound.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/743593830066159697/1289298419646730311/funny.mp4 (wrong album but fuck it) its not bad, id say its a pretty good project Best Track: Beetlebum

I’m at a 4.5 that I'll bump down to a 4. I just thought this was good music. It’s a very fun album, and a very good listen, but it also sort of feels like the beginning of the sunset for this era of 90s rock. Maybe I’m wrong, but I just don’t remember many albums with this pseudo-grunge style from like, 1998 onward having this much success and acclaim. It feels like this is right at the split of say, Matchbox 20, the Goo Goo Dolls, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others bringing the more acoustically-driven and poppier style of rock back into the forefront. Is it Blur’s best album? I dunno. I liked it more than Parklife though. There’s not a bad track here, though it does sort of dull out around the middle before rising back up near the end. Obviously, Song 2 is like, the big eternal hit of the album, but within the context of the entire thing and not just as a single, it just sort of blinks by as a burst of energy. This album feels like an experiment in soundscapes and sonic tones more than any kind of solid messaging in the lyrics. I won’t go so far as to say it’s a secret Gorillaz record or anything, but my read on this album is that for as much as it’s inspired by American soundscapes and the sort of grunge rock that dominated the first half of the 90s, it deconstructs the genre. That is to say, Damon Albarn doesn’t take this anywhere near as seriously as Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder, or Billy Corgan. He’s sort of taking the piss out of it, and Song 2 kinda proves that – it is entirely nonsensical from a lyrical standpoint, fully driven by the rock melodies and huge energy it brings, but it was a monster success. It sort of begs the question of “were people ever actually listening to those bands, or did they just hear the melodies and rock out?” That’s not to say every track on here is nonsensical, or to imply that Damon Albarn doesn’t care on this record – there’s a few tracks that take themselves a bit more seriously (namely, Death of a Party & Strange News from Another Star), and they obviously gave a shit about making it sound as sonically complete and fulfilling as possible… but this isn’t that serious of a record in the long run. It’s got great writing, but it’s never the focus here. I know this all reads like I’m complaining, but if anything, I sort of admire this for being such an effective distillation of a genre and a time that feels so captivating to so many people, myself included. To close out, I’m not at a 5, mainly because the album dips from Tracks 6-10 for me. Those tracks aren’t bad, but they just didn’t feel as captivating or as interesting to me. Track 11 and onward are a pretty good way to close out the album though. It’s a pretty good 4, though – the soundscapes are great, the melodies complex, and Damon Albarn’s voice cuts through like a knife. I liked it a lot.

Uma mistura de britpop com indie que me agrada bastante, se fosse descrever diria que parece um Oasis "Lo-Fi". Mas não querendo dizer quec opiaram mal a banda, mas por trazer uma atmosfera semelhante nas músicas (algo meio "feliz-triste") com distorções e samples característicos de produções mais independentes e caseiras.

I quite liked this album. It was interesting and fun.

Many great tracks, like the distortion they use throughout the album

Höhrenswertes Album.

Está la canción esta tan famosa de WoooHooo (Song2)

Pretty darn good, but loses steam in the second half

Love this album

a bit different to the previous releases, has a couple of bangers

Blur is great. This album is great.

Love how the band change their style for this record but are still recognisable. Beetlebum and Song 2 have got to be up there as one of the best opening two tracks on any album. Death of a Party is a real highlight, as is Graham Coxon’s You’re So Great.

Good band but not my favorite.

Rock alternativo. Un megahit. Un 4.

I had a very anti-Britpop reaction at the time, but this album marked the beginning of Blur putting some space between themselves and Oasis, and becoming not totally contemptible to me - "Song 2" was obviously an olive branch to my metalhead self, and quickly become a staple at every rock club. 🤘 Listening now, I enjoyed the various flavors of indie rock experimentation here. Fave tracks - "Beetlebum" and "Song 2" are still pretty decent, even if a little overexposed. Huh. "M.O.R." was apparently a single as well? Ok, then, "I'm Just A Killer For Your Love" from the non-singles...

Good album. Funny how making fun of Nirvana makes you famous

Love a bit of blur, classic songs on there

A fun album, and on the top of my list of my favorite Brit-pop albums (admittedly not a long list). I wouldn't death stare someone who put this on at a party.

This is my 4th Blur album on here. I'm pretty sure there's only one or two other bands that I've gotten 3 albums from yet. I've given them all 3 stars so far, but I can confidently say that there's too much Blur on this list. I guess it's what you get when the author of the book is a British man that was around during the Britpop era. With all that said, I am very sure that Blur is not a band that is ever going to be life changing to me, but this was also my favorite Blur album yet. I feel obliged to give it a 4 to make it stand ahead of all the others. I think I've probably said enough about Blur the band in previous reviews. Blur is barely known in the US at this point, with one major exception. "Song 2" is undoubtedly one of the biggest sports anthems still today. "Song 2" is the second song on this album, so I can finally comment on it. My take is that it slaps. Overplayed? Sure. Did Blur write it as a parody of American rock bands? Possibly. Doesn't matter, still slaps. Woo-hoo. This album is a bit long (56 minutes) and it definitely has a few weak spots, but there's a lot of good stuff on here. It's definitely a more late-90s American-sounding rock album than their previous albums (though they're still aggressively British). Lots of fun songs though, the vibe is good. I feel like it's probably blasphemy to a Brit to say this is your favorite Blur album, but here we are. Favorite song: Song 2 Other: Beetlebum, M.O.R., On Your Own, You're so Great, Look Inside America, Movin' On, Essex Dogs 8/29/24

The irony. Today the big news is, there's an Oasis reunion and I get this record. Blur, proving once more how much more creative and versatile they were than their rivals. Good album. Could have been shorter. There's 3 Blur albums on the list. I think 2 would have been enough and this should be one of them. Favorite song: Song 2.

Great guitar driven indie rock album. Awesome and catchy vocals, playing, and songwriting. Interesting and strange guitar and keys parts that sound phenomenal even when they are dissonant. I’m surprised that the only song that got big from them was Song 2, they deserved a bigger following than they had for sure.

I haven't been more excited by an assigned album than when I saw I got Blur by Blur. I love the Gorillaz and listened to Blur's 13 a ton when I was a kid, but other than Song 2 and Beetlebum I didn't know this album very well. It was definitely a nostalgic delight. I know Song 2 is a bit of a parody, but it still slaps, and the rest of the songs where all the excellent britpoppy "fun" that we know Blur for. Will listen again.

Easy to listen to. I was expecting a little bit more than song2, but still quite enjoyable

This album started off strong with Song 2 and Beetleburn but got a bit weaker from that point onwards, though I still enjoyed it and enjoyed the quiet rock sound that the album had throughout. My favourite tracks other than the two that I already mentioned are Chinese Bombs and Movin' On.

A fantastic showing by one of the most notable British alt-rock acts of the 90s and 00s. With influences of straight-forward rock, glam, punk, and electronic, there's a little on this album for just about any fan of rock at large. Notable Tracks: - Beetlebum - Song 2 - iconic - M.O.R. - On Your Own - Death of a Party - Chinese Bombs - Movin' On 7/10

In the great Oasis vs Blur debate of the late 90s, I was squarely on Team Oasis. That’s not to say I didn’t listen to or like Blur, but they weren’t “my” band. With the distance of time, I can appreciate why folks were pro-Blur. It has a neo-Beatles/Rolling Stones vibe (more Rolling Stones, whereas Oasis were definitely more Beatles). That sound just hits something fundamental in a lot of people. Songs on the album I liked - Beetlebum, Song 2 (obligatory), M.O.R., On Your Own, Look Inside America, and Movin’ On. 4 ⭐️

Song 2 overtook this album, but it's nice to finally hear some decent britpop on a list that has waaayyyyy to much britpop. Also crazy to think of the artistic impact of Damon when most people in the states wouldn't even look at him twice.

Pretty good album. I think it's only drawback is the CD era bloat. Cut a few tracks and it would be stronger. I feel like I should check out some of their other albums. I like this a bit more than some of the other 90's Brit pop I've gotten from the generator.

Definitely better than the last Blur album we listened to--this almost gets to 5 for me and might get there eventually. That Song 2 will never die.

As much as this is mostly played out at this point... this is a solid record, gotta be a 3.5+

woohoo

This is not my all-time favorite album of Blur, but it’s still a damn good one with lots of experimental rock tracks. I kinda wish this album list had 13 instead of blur but I’m glad this one is being recognized as well (especially over TGE) . 7.5/10 favorite songs: Beetlebum & Chinese Bombs

Blur aren't normally an album band for me. Enjoyed this listen though. Song 2 is a skip just due to its deserved ubiquity.

I love Blur. This album starts really well with Beetlebum, Song 2 and Country Sad Ballad man. 3 great songs There is some filler on the album like chinese bombs and theme from retro. Apart from that it is a strong indie album. Blur are good, but they are not Oasis!!! Favourite song: On your own and Beetlebum Least favourite: Theme from retro Album artwork: Love the cover

British pavement. I liked it 👍

Wechsel von Brit-Pop zu Rock. Song 2 ist sehr bekannt. 4/5

That was... definitely an album. A style of music that I had not heard of before from Blur. It was a nice surprise for a Monday morning. It was easy listening and not the most complex experience, but definitely enjoyable.

Enjoyed

Classic Blur

Damon Albarn is someone that finds new sounds. Whenever I’m hearing new songs from Blur, Gorillaz, etc., I’m interested, intrigued, and on board.

Ok

Brit pop clásico.

I enjoy blur and damon a lot. I think they have a unique style and it works. 4.5 wanted to give it a 5 but for some reason I can’t and rounded down.

enjoyed it. have heard blur before so not too surprised. enjoyable but a little slow for my liking

4/5

I didn't love this album when I first listened to it, but on a second try, I really like it! I feel like Blur was really experimenting with their own style and every song feels pretty different from the last. Songs like "Song 2" are just straight action while "Strange News from Another Star" feels like a Bowie throwaway. Others obviously influenced bands like OK Go and Portugal. The Man. Best Songs: Beetlebum, Song 2, Death of a Party, Looking Inside America, Strange News from Another Star Worst Songs: You're so Great, Essex Dogs,

Really really strong opening. Had some other highs, as well as some middles.

just because of "song 2" this album is awesome

I liked Parklife more than this, though I'm not sure I've actually ever given this album a full listen through before today. That isn't to say I didn't like it, I enjoyed it quite a bit even, but Parklife has a better overall sound to it than this one. Song 2 is still the best one between the two of them, as silly as it is. The great thing about Blur is that they've always straddled a bunch of styles on their albums. This particular one has too many generic sounding songs that don't really take advantage of the band's weird capabilities. Songs like "Theme from Retro" and "Country Sad Ballad Man" are just too out there compared to the rest of them and kinda wreck the vibe of the whole thing. I realize this is probably intentional but for whatever reason it doesn't really connect with me. Other than that, the other songs are great. I enjoyed the majority of this album and it's a fun reminder that the 90's wasn't just grunge and boy bands.

This is the worst Gorillaz album ever.

It was nice. Not too exhilarating but I enjoyed it

Classic 90s stuff. I only knew the 1 major single heading into this album but I really liked all the tracks overall

Better than imagined. It has a lot of personality.

I liked this less than I thought I would tbh, obviously I liked the classics but the rest of the album was kinda just a wall of noise idk

Was a fun return, forgot how many good songs were on this

woo hoo

Blur is right up my alley. Who doesn't love screaming "Woohoo" at the top of their lungs to song 2?

This album is pretty wild. It has a quality to it of a band at a creative peak; they just can't go wrong. Quite often there are songs or parts of songs that don't seem like they belong on the same album as Song 2, or they seem like tracks around which entire albums could have formed, but the overall disjointedness is a feature, not a bug.

Good, but not as good as I was hoping

Decent album by a great British band

First two songs are sensational. Soooo good. You'd think a self titled album would be the first album, not the fifth. But it's their album. Death of a party wasn't good. Chinese bombs was at attempt at some post punk rock thing that didn't really work.

Bão

This is my favorite of Blur’s catalog. Song 2 is one of the great all-time rock songs. Not quite 5 star for my taste, but pretty solid overall.

I like some of their other songs better, but this was still enjoyable

ci stava

Quintessentially British, quintessentially ‘90s. Yet somehow, I really like it! Either you like Blur’s shtick or you don’t, and even though I’d only heard Modern Life before today, I think I just like Blur’s shtick. This is an all-over-place record with a lot of studio bullshitting, which is normally a negative trait for me, but to my own surprise, it all works. Every song is so good, and each one stands on its own merits. There’a lot of style changes across the whole thing, but somehow, it always sounds distinctly like Blur. The whole album benefits from the greatness of each of its parts. I like some parts more than others, obviously, but my liked songs outshine the songs I disliked. I expected this to be sprawling, especially for a 14 track album, and in concept it certainly is, but as a listening experience, it’s oddly breezy, and always engaging. I’m sure once this challenge has shoved a few more Blur [and Britpop] albums down my throat, I’ll kick myself for not rating this 5 stars, because by then, Blur will be my favorite band of all time. But for now, I think a strong 4 stars shows how much this stuck with me.

Betygsmässigt i paritet med Modern life, svag fyra, även om denna kanske var lite med publikfriande. Det finns några starka låtar, men soundet är lite spretigt och det varvas med lite för mycket utfyllnad för att hålla hela vägen.

This is a very fun record! Far from perfect but much better than I had been lead to believe. Great example of incorporating new influences into a band’s own distinctive style.

Lovely discovery. I had never listens to this album. Only knew Song 2. Rock with a twist and unexpected sound.

In that way it's probably my favourite Blur album it's also not that consistent. Some good songs, some experimentation. A good band but not a great one. Yet Damon is a genius for all the other things he's done alongside this.

An album so fresh and fun, constantly throwing intriguing new ideas at the listener, that it passes by in…well, a blur. If Song 2 is all you’ve heard, you’re missing out.

Love it

This album was much more experimental than I was expecting. Really great production and vibe here

Blur - Blur (1997) 4/5 I’ve never listened to this album. When I listen to this I hear…Paul McCarteney/Wings…The Kinks, David Bowie. I suppose that makes this British? I’ve read that this is their third album (This is actually their fifth album) and the first two are Brit Pop, but this album is a departure from that. So that’s where the Pavement/Sonic Youth Influences I hear come in? I’m suspicious at first, but this seems like a pretty good album. I only have a day to listen to it, grade it and move on. I’ll probably return to this. I guess I’ll check out the first two to see what the departed from. These aren’t the guys who are brothers? I think that’s Oasis. They are bad boys I think, does Blur have any identity? Are these the guys who sampled that Rolling Stones song and it was huge but they didn;t get permission, but it was OK because 30 years later the Stones said it was OK? Things get experimental sometimes. This album is better than I expected. Now I’m trying to figure out if it’s A Lot better than I expected. There’s a bunch on here that seems pretty good, but since it’s all new to me…I’m trying to determine if it’s even better than the first listen reveal, or if this is just kinda it. I like the weird stuff here more than the normal stuff. It seems like, as the album progresses it gets more and more weirder.

rokeito asin britich con la mitica de "Wooo hooo" nanannannanaa y tal, ta bien de 4,5 que redondeo a 4 per que avoltes es lo que toca. Tame te dic, si van fer una cançó bona y nada mas se supo igual hi ha que redondear a 3

really tight and great sound, loses some of the absolute dreaminess and scope of their other albums tho

Nice melodies and twists in there I haven't heard before. I recognize the very well known Song 2 of course, but the others were easy listening too.

I dig this noisier, indie, less poppy, more lo-fi Blur. This is a band I never really got into, but dig this album. As a big Gorillaz fan, can hear some of the music moving in that direction a bit. The album may be a little longer than it needs to be, but is full of interesting ideas and sounds.

fucking good music finally

no hay cancion mas increible que beetlebum

A stunner of an album that I never truly explored. beyond Song 2 which is hilarious sentence to write out of context.

Big fan of blur but do favour a couple of their other albums to this one Still a brilliant record nonetheless, masterminded in the secluded corners of Reykjavik

Fun album with a few good tracks aside form Song 2.

Eindelijk weten waarom het song 2 heet lol

Song 2 is a fine track but just not very interesting. If I based my entire thoughts on that song, I wouldn't give this band another look. But the rest of the album feels like Gorillaz and I dig the sound on quite a few of the tracks. Need to look deeper in their other catalogue but this album was pretty solid.

Classic album. Nearly perfect.

SUCH good britpop. feels of the moment, but also timeless. good solid album

This album feels like the late 90s. I had a neighbor in the dorms that would play Song #2 on repeat for hours. Fun times. I do like "I'm just a killer for your love"

zamn!!!

Best

great album, but i'm biased towards anything Damon Albarn is a part of. you definitely get the early gorillaz sounds here and there throughout the album. top 3: death of a party, I'm just a killer for your love, essex dogs. honorable mention: song 2... still hits!

Not totally my jam, but still cool