4.5/5
The Magic Whip
Artist: Blur
It has been twelve years since Think Tank, Blur’s last studio album. I must say, though, if twelve years is what it took them to make an album as wonderful and artistically consistent as The Magic Whip, then I would proudly wait all over again. Musically inspired by and partially recorded on a 2013 visit to Japan, the new album sifts the classic Blur sound - a genius mix of frontman Damon Albarn’s vocals and lyrics and Graham Coxon’s guitar - through a variety of Asian filters, resulting in something truly astonishing and worthy of the discography the band has built up over a twenty year career.
When I say “classic Blur sound,” don’t think I am saying that Albarn and Coxon are doing the same-ole-same-ole. The album finds them as ambitious as ever, pushing their sounds into new directions with delicious results. “There Are Too Many Of Us” mixes a semi-country guitar riff, a 90’s grunge freak-out, and drum-machine efficiency as Albarn’s vocals floats over the whole thing like a sleep-deprived alien. Sure, there are some songs that could fit on other Blur albums, but that does not mean they are any less effective. With “Lonesome Street,” the band dips back into their love of The Kinks and pulls out the album’s strongest track. Just wait until you hear that same Kinks love mixed with some Asian textures, such as the beautiful, quivering “Pyongyang.” Coxon’s string work will send chills and transport you to another world.
There are a few songs that sound like they could have been fleshed out just a little more. “My Terracotta Heart,” “Ghost Ship,” and “Mirrorball” are all basically instrumentals. Don’t get me wrong, they are dazzling instrumentals, but I feel like they could have evolved into classic songs with just a little more work. Do I want to wait another decade for more Blur? Obviously not, but I must respect the band’s patience if that’s what it takes.
The Magic Whip
Artist: Blur
It has been twelve years since Think Tank, Blur’s last studio album. I must say, though, if twelve years is what it took them to make an album as wonderful and artistically consistent as The Magic Whip, then I would proudly wait all over again. Musically inspired by and partially recorded on a 2013 visit to Japan, the new album sifts the classic Blur sound - a genius mix of frontman Damon Albarn’s vocals and lyrics and Graham Coxon’s guitar - through a variety of Asian filters, resulting in something truly astonishing and worthy of the discography the band has built up over a twenty year career.
When I say “classic Blur sound,” don’t think I am saying that Albarn and Coxon are doing the same-ole-same-ole. The album finds them as ambitious as ever, pushing their sounds into new directions with delicious results. “There Are Too Many Of Us” mixes a semi-country guitar riff, a 90’s grunge freak-out, and drum-machine efficiency as Albarn’s vocals floats over the whole thing like a sleep-deprived alien. Sure, there are some songs that could fit on other Blur albums, but that does not mean they are any less effective. With “Lonesome Street,” the band dips back into their love of The Kinks and pulls out the album’s strongest track. Just wait until you hear that same Kinks love mixed with some Asian textures, such as the beautiful, quivering “Pyongyang.” Coxon’s string work will send chills and transport you to another world.
There are a few songs that sound like they could have been fleshed out just a little more. “My Terracotta Heart,” “Ghost Ship,” and “Mirrorball” are all basically instrumentals. Don’t get me wrong, they are dazzling instrumentals, but I feel like they could have evolved into classic songs with just a little more work. Do I want to wait another decade for more Blur? Obviously not, but I must respect the band’s patience if that’s what it takes.