Blur (Special Edition)

Here begins the third phase of Blur's career. Just six years since their debut album and already the quartet worked their way from Madchester grooves and Kinks/Jam Brit-pop to end up dismantling U.S. indie rock with a tongue-in-cheek and a deep, dark amplifier blast. Their nod towards America with a touch of Pavement didn't go unnoticed in the States. "Song 2" became the band's biggest U.S. hit, while "Beetlebum" debuted at #1 in the U.K. The band's elastic abilities make them natural at whatever they decide and this time it's guitarist Graham Coxon who leads the attack, demanding the band get loud and dangerous. He composed the lyrics and had a lead vocal spotlight on the lo-fi gem, "You're So Great." Sensing it was a smart move, lead singer and sassy chameleon Damon Albarn goes all in, writing lyrics with a sense of pop history. "M.O.R." is based on the David Bowie and Brian Eno tunes, "Boys Keep Swinging" and "Fantastic Voyage." "Country Sad Ballad Man" evokes early-70s glam. "Death of A Party" captures an end of the world psychedelia. The Special Edition includes live acoustic versions of several tunes, remixes, and the essential "Bustin' and Dronin'."