Lorna Irvine reviews a 'revitalised' return.
In the Blur/Oasis wars, I was firmly on the Pulp side, it has to be said. Damon Albarn (who I predictably nicknamed Damian Allbran) got on my nerves a bit, with his oh-so-fey Mockney pronouncements and ironic thug tracksuits. But then of course, Gorillaz happened and they were brilliant--knowing, skewed pop and an edgy swipe at landfill indie.
So, the Blur comeback album is better, like a good Merlot left to breathe. The hugely talented guitarist Graham Coxon and Albarn have buried the hatchet, David Rowntree is giving his political tickles and Alex James...well...he has been laying off the cheese for a bit.
Looking good, boys. More importantly, they sound revitalised and full of ideas and sassy indie pop. Opener ‘Lonesome Street’ alludes to sweatshops, whereas ‘Ice Cream Man’ contains the woozy psyche electro they used to do so well at the start of their career. Only ‘Ghost Ship’ and ‘My Terracotta Heart’ fail to satisfy, a bit by the book.
But the sheer scope is interesting, Pyongyang inspired by recent jaunts to the Far East. ‘Mirrorball’ even wouldn't sound out of place on a Sergio Leone clip, were Albarn's vocals not so wistful and delicate.
It's a global village all right, and Blur make worthy travelling companions, taking us away from the tourist trails.
Magic Whip is out now on Parlophone Records
Blur - Lonesome Street - Live on Circus HalliGall…: http://youtu.be/cX-KsROx2R4
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