Blur (album)

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

The album's style was resultant of Blur's dropping their previous Britpop mantle in favour 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, in contrast to other formerly Britpop bands such as Oasis, who critically disappointed with their 1997 release Be Here Now . 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.

Track listing

All songs by Damon Albarn/Graham Coxon/Alex James/Dave Rowntree unless noted. All tracks produced by Stephen Street, except "I'm Just a Killer for Your Love" produced by Blur.

1. "Beetlebum" – 5:04
2. "Song 2" – 2:02
3. "Country Sad Ballad Man" – 4:50
4. "M.O.R." – 3:27 (Albarn/David Bowie/Coxon/Brian Eno/James/Rowntree)
5. "On Your Own" – 4:26
6. "Theme from Retro" – 3:37
7. "You're So Great" – 3:35 (Coxon)
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" – 11:24Japanese bonus track
15. "Dancehall"

Trivia

• The album was nearly called "Five" and the nurse on the cover originally sported a halo.
• "Death of a Party," was demoed in 1992. That version was released to the fan club prior to the version which appears on the album.
• "I'm Just a Killer for Your Love" was recorded as a "test tune" at Damon's new studio in London. It was the last track recorded for the album and was originally meant to be a B-side.

References

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