13 - Blur

13 is the title of British indie rock band BLUR's album. There are 13 tracks on the album. The opening song is TENDER which is a lovely mellow song. The use of the choir providing backup vocals gives this a feelgood factor and Damon Albarn's vocals are so soothing. My favourite song on the album. BUGMAN is a good song which starts slow, but builds towards a great chorus bursting with energy. COFFEE AND TV is a faster paced number where the guitar sounds great. This is one of them songs which you can hum along with and sticks in your head. SWAMP SONG is a decent track with the lyrics telling a good story and the vocals on ...  Read the complete review

This is one of Blur's most interesting albums with a couple of real stand out tunes and a change of direction that had many people asking what they were doing. I have been revisiting my Blur collection in readiness for their summer gigs which I can't wait for. This album was made during a difficult time for the band, with Damon experiencing a difficult break up from long time love Justine Freischmann (of Elastica fame) and Graham and Damon having creative difficulties, having recently read Alex James book he was in the midst of a real bout of heavy drinking at this time too, its amazing they got so much out of this, with stand out tracks being Coffee and Tv and the ...  Read the complete review

1. Tender Rating: **** A pleading Damon Albarn vocal backed by twangly guitars and barely there drums. The song boasts a choir filled chorus. Its got a great melody and the lyrics are just great but perhaps the song comes in at a little long at 7.40. Good song but I will usually skip to the next one around the 4 minute mark. 2. Bugman ***** These first two tracks can give you some idea of the huge disparity between all of the tracks on the album. The unbelieveably distorted guitar and the catchy na na nas make this a great track, very simple with mindless lyrics. The sounds of a vacuum cleaner throughout are a personal higlight. 3. ...  Read the complete review

Blur, arguably the most interesting band to come out of the British Isles in recent years, offer their fans the hardest challenge yet- blur 13. The jangling catchy tunes of britpop stardome are now but a distant memory for the Essex jokers and their fans.... 13 goes further than previous album 'blur' ever did in eradicating and alienating half of the fans who had once sang along to the ramblings of parklife, yet it is blur's most artistic album to date. 13, largely written by Damon Albarn about his split with longterm girlfriend Justine Frischman (Elastica), is an album more experimental, expansive, spacey and mind blowing than ...  Read the complete review

Much was made of Blur's foray into US alt slackerism. While many viewed it as a contrived attempt to become the British Pavement, it nonetheless pushed Colchester's finest into mainstream American consciousness. This was an achievement that 'Parklife', their biggest selling album, never quite managed. 13 continues on the same thread deployed by the ‘Blur’ album and offers an enjoyably eclectic listen. It's yank leanings are obvious with titles like 'Trailerpark' adding to the American feel. There are mountain top highs every few songs but the weaker tracks veer far too close to the murky waters of the canyon below. There ...  Read the complete review