The new Blur album, "Think Tank," drops on 5 May in the UK, and 6 May stateside. Please buy it. I beg of you. Not just because they really need it, but because it's so damn good. Yes, I've already heard most of it (courtesy of Kazaa), and no, just because Norman Cook, Mr. Fatboy Slim himself, is producing it, doesn't mean it's all techno'd out. The first track I heard was "Crazy Beat," which I had heard somewhere would be their first single (it's actually going to be "Out of Time"). When I heard the first few seconds, I almost cried, because it was WAY too "Starfucker" for me, you know? It starts out with a synthesized voice chanting "crazy beat" to a drum beat. I was like "Oh good lord, it isn't even good Blur techno, like 'Girls and Boys,'" but then the guitar kicked in and it wasn't bad. Even though it was rather like a hi-fi version of the White Stripes.
That track, in my opinion, deviates from the feel of the rest of the album. The other songs are characteristic of Blur, maintaining musicality, but always experimental. "Gene by Gene" is charming, guitars taking a backseat to Damon Albarn's slurred voice and unconventional percussion instruments. I think I heard something like a squeaky playground merry-go-round in the background, or maybe it was a squeaky gate door. I don't know, but they use all these weird sounds in such a musical way. (Wait, squeaky mattress springs?)
"Battery in Your Leg," the only song on the album where Graham Coxon claims songwriting credits, is...well, more Coxy. Damon Albarn sings more like a spoken word performer about "being here cos i've got no fucking choice." Obviously one of the more political songs in the set. Then it gets all Fatboy Slim with the voice manipulation tricks.
Article comments
1 - Ms. Tek
Blur rocks.... has always rocked. They're English... They sound like Blur. Most Americans will turn noses up. =(
2 - David
For me, "Think tank" is plain great. A new
step in the innovative music Damon does.
The song i like the most is "On the way to the club" - not too comercial, but who cares...they've already earned a place in the history, i think it's good they make songs like this.
3 - David
And btw...that article says:
----------------------------------------
"Battery in Your Leg," the only song on the album where Graham Coxon claims songwriting credits, is...well, more Coxy. Damon Albarn sings more like a spoken word performer about "being here cos i've got no fucking choice." Obviously one of the more political songs in the set.
-----------------------------------------
Well, this isn't "Battery in your leg", this is "Moroccan people revolutionary bowls club". "Battery in your leg" has another lyrics. Just check it out :)
4 - j
um, wrong again. It's My White Noise.
5 - lew_rywin:]
Completely different but still great. I think it's good they're trying sth new rather than stick to what they already achieved.
6 - Ms. Tek
I love it. One of my favorites.