13

With 13, Blur took the blueprint of their self-titled fifth album and its mining of U.S. indie-rock and further exploited their rebirth as a loud, nasty band with pop tendencies, while adding a jam-out dimension. Guitarist Graham Coxon asserts his influence with abrasive tonalities that give tunes such as "Bugman," "Trailerpark" and "1992" an urgency unlike the band's more judicious moments. "Tender" expands over nearly eight-minutes of divine inspiration that finds an epic grandeur with singer Damon Albarn offering up his gentlest vocal alongside a gospel-choir like ensemble. Coxon's "Coffee and Tea" assembles a cozy groove. Producer William Orbit moves the group forward with keyboards and drum loops while not getting in the way of their unique chemistry. This is a band in the best sense of the word. Each member adds a distinct personality to the mix, even if it's Albarn's big, sassy mouth that's most obvious. "Mellow Song" offers up a low purr that evolves into a delicate tension.