"Out of Time" is an interesting choice for a first single, quite minimalist in production. The drums are light, giving way to the featured Andalucian string quartet (apparently that refers to guitars). It recalls "The Universal" with its noveau-retro sound, but the best part is the instrumental, where the guitars take centerstage and jam the hell out of that song.

The real highlights of the tracks I listened to are "Sweet Song" and "Caravan." The former is lovely, like a watered down yet sweeter version of "Tender," creating the same atmosphere of longing and beauty, only a bit lighter and more ethereal. Albarn's voice floats over an airy piano and angelic backing vocals. "Caravan" was my favorite song, guitars disguising themselves as gypsies and Albarn's voice distorted a la Julian Casablancas, only more listless. "Here I'm a clown," he sings, "Pulling my world down...and when it comes, you'll feel the weight of it." Something that sounds a cross between a toy piano and a banjo plays during the chorus, and in the background the guitar plays on. He even busts out horns and accordians. Man is this song good.

It's been too long, Damon. Much too long, Alex and Dave. Now that Justine Frischmann has been purged from your mind (via "13), you can start making good music again that's not heartbreakingly wonderful. Everyone who bought the Best Of album and heard the only new track, "Music is My Radar," don't let that sway you. It's nothing like what they're making now.

While I do regret Coxon's departure from the band solely because now there's no chance they'll ever make anything as good as "Coffee & TV" ever again, the new, improved (yes, improved) Blur is good enough for me. Please America, find out what you've been missing all these years!

(extended review to follow upon release of album)