chemicaldanny

I've been in a Blur hole for the better part of three days. The songwriting on Parklife and Blur is just unbelievable. It's really hard to take a shower without belting out the chorus from "This is a Low." If anybody hasn't heard the Parklife-era demos yet, the demo of "Far Out" is damn near definitive, even better than the 'Beagle 2 Version.'

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BeatnikK

Surprisingly, my brother got me into Blur. I had heard of them before, but I never knew Damon Albarn also started the Gorillaz. That's when I really gave them a listen.

I still like me some Coffee & TV every now and then.

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Jakkc

Just read through this whole thread, some interesting opinions to say the least!

Blur are one of my favourite bands - alongside Suede most probably. I've got to say on the topic of Oasis vs Blur; that Oasis are shockingly over hyped and pretty much rode the fame that was created with the Blur rivalry- something Albarn was never really interested in and tried his hardest to abstain from any association with the Britpop thing (which was basically the NME trying to create new era in British music post 80's).

Also just to gloat, I was at the Glasto headline gig! Which may I add was probably in the top 3 moments of my life.

Finally, in case anyone didn't know Blur realeased a new song earlier this year called Fools Day - not seen it posted in here. Quite a nice song with some lovely work on guitar by Coxon, reminiscent of early Blur work and certainly a promising sign that they still 'have it' for any potential future albums! Youtube it because I can't post links yet!

Poptartmarbear

Just the past 2 years I have been able to expand my listening with Blur and just love it all! And I also like all of Dave's stuff outside of the band, haha. But Graham Coxon is a most excellent solo artist too. There just really good. All there albums are very good but Leisure and The Great Escape are just amazing. Also there new stuff that recently came out is good too.

Dotoar

Another thread that needs bumping. Blur is definitely worthy candidates of being the best of the britpop bunch, and that for one reason: They had an artistic vision, conjured by Albarn and Coxon in whom they had two creative songwriters. How many bands of the last 20 years can boast that? (Don't answer, I'm not in the mood). For me, they are more of an art band than a simple pop act and the lyrics and arrangements reek of biting sarcasm. I feel kinda sorry for those who don't see the irony in lines like the chorus of "Girls and boys" or "For tomorrow" (which doesn't even have words). Or the fact that "Song 2" was more like a profound bait for those who'd like themselves yet another grungy screamfest, rather than the straight-faced real deal? These kind of things set them miles apart from Oasis with whom they are constantly compared for purely ridiculous reasons. Simply put: Blur were smart while Oasis were dumb.

As for their albums I'd say: "13" > "Blur" > theholytrinityofbritpopclassics > "Leisure"

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Sansa Stark

Modern Life is Rubbish > all

Dotoar

Let us indulge:

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Badlittlekitten

Bloody love Blur. It was them that got me serious about music in the first place. After 16+ years of listening to them, it's Modern Life Is Rubbish that has aged the best for me. Can't believe people are dissing 'Girls and Boys'. A sarky pop masterpiece.

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'Said do you feel it? Do you feel it when you TOUCH ME?. THERE'S A FIRE! THERE'S A FIRE!' The Stooges. Dirt.

https://soundcloud.com/bad-little-kittens
My Top 100 LPs
My Top 52 Indie Tracks Of The 21st Century (incomplete)

Screen13

Loved them from the first second, and that's upon watching the video to "She's So High." Worshiped Modern Life Is Rubbish, loved Parklife, and still to this day even love The Great Escape with the second half being played more than the first ("He Thought of Cars," "It Could Be You," "Yuko and Hiro"...Side Two classics). Blur was damn good ("Death of a Party") and 13 is one of the perfect Late Night albums for me. Very clever and innovative music, and I have to think that Graham Coxon should be noted for his excellent guitar playing and solo work far more.

Screen13

Love Graham's performance on it, but even more with the live versions which cut through the song. A bit of Alex's Bass has a Demonic "Devil's Interval" in there as well.

Upon first hearing it, I was thinking Pete Shelly's first solo records in the best way possible (Remembering songs like "Homosapien"), and I think that I read that he loved that song (please correct if wrong). If this is the case, then it will be a cool thing.