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Here's why NOT to buy the Best Of instead...

wellwellwell | bog | 04/26/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For the people who now realize that "Song 2" does not exemplify this band's true sound, this is still an amazing album. Like so many others, I first took note of Blur with that overplayed hit. But, UNlike the majority of buyers, I was still impressed with the CD's diversity and overall hum. A lot of tracks on the album are hidden gems that probably should've been included on the Best Of release. So for the amateur Blur fan, nowadays, it is more beneficial (choice word) to purchase the Best Of instead of this one. Sadly, because of "Song 2", this band has been dubbed by too many a one-hit wonder; and the album has been labeled a poor buy. All the same, this a great CD with more than just one or two good songs. Here's an overview of all the tracks:1. Beetlebum - 5/5 - there's no question this should've been a big single. In all likelihood, this is the best song on Blur. It has a great beat and keeps you tapping your foot all the way through (it has a similar background to 13's "Coffee And TV").2. Song 2 - 5/5 - it may be ill-advised to label this as my favorite... and to be honest I really can't say that it is. Nevertheless it's an awesome song that helped me come to like Blur in the first place. Without this track, I would have missed out on something very special.3. Country Sad Ballad Man - 3.5/5 - the word `country' fits this song pretty well (at first). The beginning has a twang-like feel to it that catches you off guard. It's a weird track, but that's to be taken in a good way.4. M.O.R. - 4/5 - I really believe this song should've been on the Best Of album. This is very different from the previous three songs; as it has more of the `brit-pop' Blur sound that their fans are used to. It will grow on you over time.5. On Your Own - 4/5 - this track is many people's favorite. And even though it's not my personal favorite, it's still a great song. It has a slow start and doesn't really grab hold of you. But nevertheless it is a fun track that is, again, reminiscent of earlier Blur work (maybe "Parklife").6. Theme From Retro - 2/5 - this odd-sounding track doesn't seem to be much at all. It's accordion sounds and echoing background don't allow for it to stand out amongst the rest. It's still kind of intriguing, though.7. You're So Great - 3/5 - here we go... back to the usual sound we know. The singer's voice sounds a little scratchy, but the guitar and unkempt sound make it enjoyable as a whole. It's pretty much a love song, and that's okay.8. Death Of A Party - 5/5 - another song that should've made the cut for the Best Of Blur CD. The lyrics are smart; to the point of downright scary. This is really a (dark) change from "You're So Great". It acts as one of my favorites on the album.9. Chinese Bombs - 3.5/5 - this Oasis-like (has that comparison been made before?) rocker is good, but tries too hard to become a "Song 2 [part 2]". It's short, sweet, and will get you jumping around from time to time.10. I'm Just A Killer For Your Love - 4/5 - As melodic as this track isn't, it really calms you down. The lyrics are rather simplistic (the title is repeated a lot) overall, but the singer's voice easily makes up for that. The female'd background is also a plus.11. Look Inside America - 3.5/5 - coming from a British band, this song becomes more and more enjoyable. It has been compared to "End Of A Century", but I believe it's not quite on that level. Even so, it's slow and (maybe) worthy of a spot on the Best Of.12. Strange News From Another Star - 5/5 - I don't know why, but I love this song. When I first listened to the album, I never really noticed this one. Now I believe it to be one of the best Blur songs ever. I have yet to find a reviewer that agrees with me on this; might you be the first?13. Movin' On - 2.5/5 - this one gives the impression of a harder sound, but doesn't quite make it. Again, its echo-like singer make it just average. But it's certainly not horrible and has a great beat (both background and front).14. Essex Dogs - 3.5/5 - this closer is a fitting end to the CD's overall sound. It's different, weird, and (once more) could've been on that less-than-perfect Best Of album. I say it's a fitting end only because it sounds nothing like the rest of the songs. The spoken word verses are somewhat agreeable.As it's been said time and time again, this is a very experimental release. It's blending of Sonic Youth/Bowie-ish sound and Oasis-like rocking beats allow for it to become great and still controversial; even years after its release (March 1997). If you still only know "Song 2", be very careful in acquiring this album. But the longtime Blur fans will no doubt be satisfied, if not breath-taken, with it's entire resonance. None of these songs are bad. Even the 2-star "Theme From Retro", as I said, is intriguing. And gems like "Beetlebum" and "Strange News From Another Star" (and yes, that popular `woo-who' track) should go down as some of the best tracks Blur has ever produced. I have really come to enjoy this CD over the years; and see no reason why you wouldn't be able to as well."

A fantastic collection of songs, and a big step for Blur

el_abrotsky | Florida, USA | 10/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Blur changed up their sound a bit on this, and the result was rather extraordinary. The result of their newfound influences and direction was one of the best rock albums of the mid-late 90s. I'm just going to run down every track on this since I know it pretty well off hand.1) Beetlebum: Nice bridge between Blur's "brit-pop" era and Blur's "let's sound American" era, with a splash of both sounds in it. 2) Song 2: We all know this song. Quick, catchy, and horribly misleading as to the rest of the album for those suckers who bought this just for this song.3) Country Sad Ballad Man: Decent song. I never really thought too much of it, but it certainly isn't "hit the skip button" material. We move on to...4) M.O.R.: Similar nature to "Beetlebum" in the sense that it could be on their older albums but it does have a harder rock edge to it so it fits on this album as well. Quite possibly my favorite song on the album.5) On Your Own: Okay, I take back the last statement. THIS is my favorite song on the album. If you could take every song on this album and throw them into some huge orgy, this song would be the resulting love child of it.6) Theme from Retro: filler7) You're So Great: Graham Coxon proves that he is an AWESOME solo artist (before he went on to be a... surprise surprise, AWESOME solo artist). A love song that even a jerk like me can appreciate.8) Death of a Party: Is it just me or does this song sound a LOT like the Gorillaz song "Tomorrow Comes Today"? It makes a lot of sense, since Albarn wrote/sings both. Good song.9) Chinese Bombs: If you bought this album looking for 14 versions of "Song 2" this will be the only other track you'll like. Similar sound, but hardly as good. Probably the worst song on the album.10) I'm Just a Killer for Your Love: Pretty good, never was too impressed, I just let the cd run through this on its way to...11) Look Inside America: Really good song. Similar sound to "End of A Century" off of Parklife.12) Strange News From Another Star: This would probably fit best on their next album, 13. If you have 13 and like it, you'll dig this track (most likely).13) Movin' On: I completely forget what this song sounds like. I THINK its pretty darned good though, but that's just about all I remember. :)14) Essex Dogs: Cool little closer to a cool little album. Pretty clever one-liner there, eh? No?! Yeah, well, can't argue that...So, in closing (yes, I plan on ending this at some point), Blur made a good album here. If you have any other Blur album and enjoy it, this is a good one to buy. It has roots with both their old sound and their new sound. Also, if you have the Gorillaz album and enjoy the straight up rock songs (no rap, no insane dj work, no Mexican dude singing, no insrumentals, in other words 75% of the album) you'll enjoy this, as its the most similar thing you'll find anywhere."

Hasn't left my cd player!

Ren Lee | 02/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first discovered Blur through Damon Albarn's side project, Gorillaz. Needless to say, Blur sounded completely different from the "zombie hip-hop" of Gorillaz, but I liked it - a lot. This is the third Blur CD I have, after their greatest hits album and "Parklife."



1. Beetlebum - great song, jams for a bit too long at the end 9/10

2. Song 2 - Whoo-hoo! Like Nirvana on ecstacy. 10/10

3. Country Sad Ballad Man - extremely catchy. One of the more experimental ones - 10/10

4. M.O.R. - kind of...eh. grows on you after a while, though. 7/10

5. On Your Own - catchy, nothing spectacular. 6/10

6. Theme from Retro - average. This is where I begin to get worried. 5/10

7. You're So Great - YES!!! This song is so great. And the reason it doesn't sound like Damon is because it's sung by Graham Coxon. 10/10

8. Death of a Party - spooky, but extremely beautiful. 9/10

9. CHINESE BOMBS - hated it first listen, got better, not nearly on par with Song 2. 8/10

10. I'M JUST A KILLER FOR YOUR LOVE - great guitar. 9/10

11. LOOK INSIDE AMERICA - very pretty piece. Damon could tone down the vocal gymnastics, though. Sounded like he was warbling in some parts. 9/10

12. STRANGE NEWS FROM ANOTHER STAR- another very pretty song. Probably the calmest one on the CD. 10/10

13. MOVIN' ON - not bad, not memorable - 7/10

14. ESSEX DOGS - personally, I love this one, but it's an acquired taste. 10/10



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