Yesterday's post got me to thinking about about British music in general and how much my own tastes have been influenced by one artist in particular....Damon Albarn. There's so much to say about him and all of the projects he's been involved in over the years that I am going to do so in three parts, so please stick with me.
Anyone who was of age in the 90's knows him most likely from fronting the band Blur, who among being known for their influential Manchester sound, also were known for their feud with the band Oasis. I'm loving Noel Gallagher's new album, but I don't think you can compare the two. Blur simply was a much better band in many ways, by outlasting, outperforming, and pushing themselves creatively over the years. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now!
Blur's first album, Leisure, was released in 1991, with the hit "There's No Other Way", leading the charts in the UK at no. 8. I have so many memories of playing this album non-stop while I was living in Madison, WI. I had heard nothing like it before and was immediately hooked on the whole Manchester sound. There were other bands getting in on the act, like Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, Stone Roses, and the Charlatans (who I also got hooked on for many years). Blur kind of epitomized the whole sound to my American ears though and they definitely stood the test of time looking back now.
"There's No Other Way" from Leisure (1991)
"To the End" from Parklife (1994)
"The Universal" from The Great Escape (1995)
"Song 2" from Blur (1997)
"Tender" from 13 (1999)
There were seven albums in total, with their last one, Think Tank, being released in 2003. The band unfortunately broke up soon after this release. I myself mourned their dissolution, but I didn't grieve for long because by this time, Damon Albarn was already involved with his new project, Gorillaz, which I will follow up with in part two.
Cheers, Stacey
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