Blur (Blur album)

Blur
Studio album by Blur
Released 10 February 1997 (1997-02-10)
Recorded June–November 1996 at Maison Rouge Studio and Mayfair Studios in London, England and Reykjavik, Iceland
Genre Alternative rock, lo-fi, Indie rock
Length 57:01
Label Food
Producer Stephen Street, Blur
Blur chronology
The Great Escape
(1995)		 Blur
(1997)		 13
(1999)
Singles from Blur
  1. "Beetlebum"
    Released: 20 January 1997
  2. "Song 2"
    Released: 7 April 1997
  3. "On Your Own"
    Released: 16 June 1997
  4. "M.O.R."
    Released: 15 September 1997
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
The Austin Chronicle [2]
Entertainment Weekly B+[3]
Robert Christgau [4]
Rolling Stone [5]
Select [6]

Blur is the fifth album by English alternative rock band Blur. Released on 10 February 1997 in the UK through Food Records, it reached the top of the UK album chart.[7] It spawned several hit singles in the UK, most notably "Beetlebum" and "Song 2". Blur was also a hit in the US, with "Song 2" becoming a hit and the album being certified gold.[8]

Contents

Style and conception

The album's style was resultant of Blur's dropping their previous Britpop mantle in favor of lo-fi and alternative rock recordings, reportedly at Graham Coxon's urging. As a result, Blur was a hit primarily because it proved that Blur could evolve beyond their Britpop roots. The album's move from Britpop was emphasised by this being the first Blur album not to use Stylorouge cover-art and also not to have lyrics and chords printed in the liner notes, instead having a composite photo of the band in the studio spread out over three panels. The album featured the first song in which Graham Coxon not only wrote the lyrics, but also provided lead vocals, for the song "You're So Great". He would later do the same for "Coffee & TV" for Blur's next album.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree, except where noted. 

No. Title Length
1. "Beetlebum"   5:04
2. "Song 2"   2:02
3. "Country Sad Ballad Man"   4:50
4. "M.O.R." (Albarn/David Bowie/Coxon/Brian Eno/James/Rowntree) 3:27
5. "On Your Own"   4:26
6. "Theme from Retro"   3:37
7. "You're So Great" (Coxon) 3:35
8. "Death of a Party"   4:33
9. "Chinese Bombs"   1:24
10. "I'm Just a Killer for Your Love"   4:11
11. "Look Inside America"   3:50
12. "Strange News from Another Star"   4:02
13. "Movin' On"   3:44
14. "Essex Dogs" (includes hidden track "Interlude") 8:08
Notes

Personnel

Preceded by
White on Blonde by Texas		 UK number one album
22 February 1997 – 28 February 1997		 Succeeded by
Attack of the Grey Lantern by Mansun

References

  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: Blur -Blur". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r2102968/review. Retrieved 3 August 2009. 
  2. ^ Moser, Margaret (25 April 1997). "Record Reviews: Blur (Virgin)". The Austin Chronicle. http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/review?oid=oid:528006. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
  3. ^ Sinclair, Tom (14 March 1997). "Review: BRITISH INVERSION (1997) - Blur". Time Inc.. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,287092,00.html. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
  4. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Review: Blur (Virgin, 1997)". http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=blur. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
  5. ^ Hunter, James (6 March 1997). "Review: Blur - Blur". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/blur-19970306. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
  6. ^ Harris, John. "Review: Blur - Blur, Food/Parlophone". Select (EMAP Metro) (March 1997): 98. 
  7. ^ Official Charts Company
  8. ^ RIAA Searchable Database RIAA. Note: reader must define search parameter as "Blur".
  9. ^ "Blur - Blur Album Info". vblurpage.com. http://www.vblurpage.com/discography/albums/blur.htm. Retrieved 3 May 2011. 
Blur
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Other albums
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Singles
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Live personnel
Phil Daniels · Diana Gutkind · Mike Smith · The Kick Horns · Cara Tivey · Simon Tong
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