With The Golden D, Graham Coxon, Blur's lead guitarist, appears to have achieved his lifelong dream: to create the ultimate American indie rock album. In a huge departure from his somewhat limp, lo-fi solo debut, The Golde... more »n D is not afraid to crank up the volume and rock. From the outright thrash of album opener "Jamie Thomas" through the angst-ridden "Leave Me Alone," and into the trashy punk of "Fags + Failure," this is the sound that Blur themselves hinted at on their self-titled, international hit album. It's to Coxon's credit that none of these songs would sound out of place on albums by American indie icons such as Sonic Youth or Dinosaur Jr. And that's very high praise indeed. --Robert Burrow« less
With The Golden D, Graham Coxon, Blur's lead guitarist, appears to have achieved his lifelong dream: to create the ultimate American indie rock album. In a huge departure from his somewhat limp, lo-fi solo debut, The Golden D is not afraid to crank up the volume and rock. From the outright thrash of album opener "Jamie Thomas" through the angst-ridden "Leave Me Alone," and into the trashy punk of "Fags + Failure," this is the sound that Blur themselves hinted at on their self-titled, international hit album. It's to Coxon's credit that none of these songs would sound out of place on albums by American indie icons such as Sonic Youth or Dinosaur Jr. And that's very high praise indeed. --Robert Burrow
"I had been warned off of Graham Coxon's solo works, told that they were a little too emotionally off-kilter, a little too overly sincere... but I'm glad I actually tracked down this fantastic album and listened for myself. I'm a huge fan of Blur, and particularly Graham's way of addressing his instrument - he doesn't play guitar the way that most rock leads do; his solos are generally minimal, and he saves his most beautiful and extraordinary licks for tucking behind the verses. "The Golden D" is Graham both working out his inner demons and neuroses without being compromised by Damon Albarn's songwriting, and the result is a dense, intensely personal inner landscape. "Jamie Thomas" is a metal-punk explosion on the subject of Graham's skateboarding idol, "Fags and Failure", "Leave Me Alone" and "My Idea of Hell" are very much what they say they are. But just when you've given up Graham as a tortured soul with horrifically bad self-esteem, he brings out my favourite track on the album, "Oochy Woochy" - an absurdly funny and light-hearted romp with a drunken off-kilter saxophone riff that will get stuck in your head for hours. I think Graham Coxon is an amazing talent, with or without Blur - for someone who, even in the studio, has to hide when he sings because he's so shy about his voice, he has no such self-consciousness when working on his own material. This is an album I will treasure for years."
Graham forever !!
rivnliz | Marseille, France | 12/30/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Graham is definately a real artist on his own... no doubt that he doesn't need Blur anymore... but blur might need him NOW !! too late... graham is doing his best and that's OUR pleasure !! Thank you so much Graham !!!!!"
Not too bad.
Dave Lundy | San Francisco, CA USA | 12/24/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I really enjoyed this record for its restlessness. It sure doesn't sound like Graham's settling down any. Some of the cuts just completely rock with no abandon. The more experimental stuff is interesting, as well. Lake is quite beautiful in its ragged rhythms and building sonic textures. I was quite impressed that he played all the instruments on the whole album. I see this, his solo career, as a continuing vent/experiment for Graham. This album didn't blow me away, but considering that the whole thing was supposedly made in 2 weeks, it's not bad at all. The next one will surely be even better.I wouldn't really be able to recommend it casually to just anyone, but if you like Graham's work, then give it a whirl."
You're So Great and I Love You, Graham.
Dave Lundy | 09/30/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album starts out fast and loud and cools down a bit in terms of tempo, so it's hard to categorize. I think of it in terms of Graham's initially getting out all of his pent-up Blur frustration at having to color between the lines too often (though don't get me wrong, Blur is fantastic), then realizing that yes...he CAN make intelligible and crafty and tuneful songs too. This is a short but sweet album, and it's definitely worth getting if only for the "Jamie Thomas" crashing guitar blaring that will make you jump out of your seat when the first track comes on, and also for the unforgettable "Ootchy Kootchie" song at the end. Cheers Graham, keep it up."