BLUR
13
by Nicole Arendt

Funny, isn't it, how things change? Circa 1995, the world of Blur was condensed into England, it possibly didn't extend beyond London to some extent but they (and the other "Britpop bands") dominated the UK charts. Pop didn't get a look in.

Circa 1999, it's fair to say Blur find themselves as the first band to challenge pops new legacy. The squabbling with Oasis made the News at Ten, but when it went sour for everyone, in came the Spice Girls to reclaim the charts for the kiddies. Given "Tender" was only a #2 to Brittney Spears, there still is work to be done.

So where does "13" sit in the Blur album department? It's the full extension of the work done on Blur (which was the rehab album) in terms of noise, sound and bravery. Not that the opening single is formed by a brave new world. It's genius is it's simplicity as a gentle pop song. Who can't relate to "Get through it" or "Oh my baby, oh why?"

You know a lot of people will hunt this album for "Song 3", another tub thumping song that will sell cars AND go down a storm in clubs. Those people may cast eyes at "Bugman" or "BLUREMI", fantastic songs that can bring a room to it's feet, but which lack the catchy "Woo Hoos" which maybe the point. Certainly there is enough power in these songs to make a mark on the club circuit.

Graham chips in with "Coffee and TV" (opening line: Do you feel like a chain store/practically floored), there's the hippy stomper "Caramel" and Damon even sounds a bit like KC (Kurt Cobain, not the sunshine band man) on "Mellow Song". William Orbit pokes and prods total emotional commitment from Damon, who takes Alexs advice to "Write from the heart, you c**t".

In short this album is about love, art and Orbit. Damons breakup material is twisted into weird, total art that seems to be the visual equivalent of Grahams paintings on the cover. This CD is like an art school project. You'll either be cynical, working class and go "It's a bunch of lines, I could do that" or admire it's cheek from Britains most durable band.

Me? Give me art. Even if it ends with an instrumental that sounds like Billy Connollys "Welly Boot March", it remains indies first 1999 classic.

******** Stars

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