Search - Blur :: Think Tank (Clean)

Blur locks into the groove...and it feels good...

Justin Levine | Houston, TX USA | 05/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Blur. Not only one the greatest pop groups of the nineties, but perhaps ever. "Modern Life is Rubbish", "Parklife", and "Great Escape" were all milestone pop albums, with Albarn narrating stories of British life and Coxon providing precise, chiming guitar work. But something happened to Blur. Their self-titled was an adventurous foray into a more sonic-focused direction. They started to emphasize more on soundscapes, and "13" proved this even more. But "Think Tank" is Blur's new direction fully realized. And it feels good. Real good. Coxon's guitar work will be sorely missed, but Blur's new bass-and-drum focus is equally exciting. "Ambulance" kicks things off with a locked-in groove, echoing the No-Wave funk groups of the early eighties like Liquid Liquid and ESG. The group's continuing focus on soundscapes is present, as their epic final track, "Battery in Your Leg", uses atmospheric My Bloody Valentine-esque guitar work, while "Brothers and Sisters" recalls the electronic ambience of David Bowie's "Low". Tracks like "Crazy Beat" and "We Got a File on You" prove that Blur have not completely abandoned their pop sensibilites, as they sound similar to something you would hear on their self-titled and "Parklife", respectively. "Gene by Gene" combines old Blur with new, using unique, alien sounds to give new life to Blur's perfected pop formula. With this new focus on more groove based, soundscape music, it's suprising that the best tracks on "Think Tank" are the personal, melodic ones. "Good Song" is a simple in its instrumentation and premise yet is one of the most lasting tracks on the album. "On the Way to the Club" is equally simple yet perhaps is the standout track, with Peter Gabriel-esque harmonies and warm synthesizers swelling to the point of blissful, gorgeous noise. "Sweet Song" is heavenly in tone, with Albarn's voice and elegiac piano work providing it's beautiful backbone. "Caravan" is a lo-fi masterpiece, with Albarn's distorted voice exposing him at his most personal on the album. Blur's Clash influence pops up with "Morrocan Peoples Revolutionary Bowls Club", a fun track that recalls "London Calling". Free jazz even enters "Think Tank", with "Jets" coupling lo-fi production with free saxophone improvisation."Think Tank" is perhaps Blur's most mature work. Albarn's work on "Mali Music" did Blur some good, as the world influences really give "Think Tank" color and character. But with a greater focus on bass and drums and soundscapes, Blur are traveling down a new and foreign road that will, and already has, ravaged fans and critics universal acceptance of this ever-changing group. The immediacy of Blur's previous pop masterpieces is definitely gone, but the mature, varied sound of "Think Tank" proves to the world that something more than Beatles-esque pop craftmanship is cooking in this group's head."

Great starter album for Gorillaz fans.

Justin Levine | 06/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I happen to be a very big fan of Gorillaz,buying their new album,Demon Days off of Amazon.com,and I think that this is a great "Starter Album",to people who have never heard Blur(Although,you would have to be living in a cave,not to have heard Song 2),but are big fans of Damon Albarns side project,Gorillaz. The songs themself,arent as good as Demon Days,but,then again,what is?(I told you,im a BIG Gorillaz fan)

Old Blur fans wouldnt enjoy this one as much,but Gorillaz fans will think that it (Excuse me for using stupid internet language) PWNS."

Best Blur yet

T. Hakala | United States | 05/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Blur's getting less electric guitar-ey since Graham Coxon left and uses more varied instruments. This is a natural progression from 13 and is more mellow with Damon Albarn's vocals getting more attention."