Blur
Blur may have triumphed over Oasis in 1995’s legendary “Battle Of Britpop”, but while they didn’t play Knebworth or take tea at No.10 Downing Street, Damon Albarn’s Essex boys won hands-down in the artistic sense – and they’ve amassed a venerable back catalogue worthy of the singular national-treasure status they have undoubtedly earned.
Much of Blur’s reputation rests on their inimitable Britpop era-straddling trilogy – Modern Life Is Rubbish, Parklife and The Great Escape – but their late-90s classics, Blur and 13, showed they were capable of drifting deeper into left field without sacrificing chart positions. Indeed, to their credit, Blur even came up trumps with 2003’s world-music-embracing Think Tank, largely recorded after guitarist Graham Coxon (temporarily) left the fold. A triumphant reunion in 2009, followed by a prestigious closings slot at the 2012 Olympics, eventually led to 2015’s long-awaited comeback album, The Magic Whip, but while they have since remained on indefinite hiatus, you can never say never where this talented, unpredictable grouup are concerned.
End Of A Century: How Blur “Sorted The Art Of Songwriting”
Evidence of Damon Albarn’s development as a songwriter, End Of A Century was as musically ambitious as it was lyrically arresting.
Song 2: How A Joke Song Became Blur’s Biggest Hit
Initially recorded in an attempt to “scare” their record label, Song 2 marked a career turnaround for Blur at a crucial moment.
Beetlebum: Behind The Song That Saved Blur’s Career
A creative leap at a crucial moment, Beetlebum was the song that proved Blur could transcend Britpop’s trappings.
10 Takeaways From Graham Coxon’s ‘Verse, Chorus, Monster!’ Book
In his memoir, ‘Verse, Chorus, Monster!’, Blur guitarist Graham Coxon reflects on Britpop, addiction and creative approaches to self-care.
‘The Great Escape’: How Blur Reacted To The Trappings Of Fame
Released as Britpop mania swept the UK, Blur’s ‘The Great Escape’ album offered a snapshot of life in a media storm.
Best 90s Music Videos: 20 Promo Clips That Defined An Era
From hip-hop decadence to cop-show pastiches, the best 90s music videos were innovative and stylish examples of what the format could do.
‘Leisure’: How Blur Became “The First Great Group Of The 90s”
Often seen as the work of a band finding its voice, Blur’s debut album, ‘Leisure’, contained plenty of hints at what would follow.
Best Music Videos: 30 Promo Clips That Changed The World
From slick performance pieces to high-concept clips, the best music videos sometimes outshine even the song they were created to promote.
‘The Magic Whip’: How Blur Achieved Closure With Their Surprise Album
A happy accident and the commitment of Graham Coxon led to ‘The Magic Whip’ being released as Blur’s reunion album.
‘13’: The Story Behind Blur’s End-Of-A-Century Masterpiece
Blur ‘found a sound to match their name’ with ‘13’, an album that took an expansive journey across precarious emotional terrain.
How Blur’s Self-Titled Album Laid Britpop To Rest
Proving there was life after Britpop, Blur’s self-titled album defied all expectations of what the band were capable of.
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