Search - Graham Coxon :: Happiness in Magazines

A surprising return to form

J.E. Beal | Wrentham MA USA | 03/23/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It might be sad, it might not, but the best pure-Blur album since 'Parklife' is probably Graham Coxon's new album 'Happiness in Magazines.' It's a guitar frenzy of 3 minute pop songs that make his contributions to Blur extraordinarily obvious--he wasn't just guitar riffs, he was also melody and movement.



Graham's solo albums up until now have been indie-rock experiments with only a nod or two to his populist past, though you could feel him starting to become comfortable with actually recording "songs" on his last one, 'The Kiss of Morning.' But now that he's officially out of Blur and Damon's smoking a ton of weed and fooling around with drum machines, Graham isn't afraid to cut away the fat and stake a claim to the legacy by hiring Stephen Street to polish up some (dare I say?) "fun" guitar jaunts like the roller coaster melodic "No Good Time" and the driving-rock-yell-the-chorus-from-the-rafters anthems "Spectacular" and "Freakin' Out." And "Bittersweet Bundle of Misery" is a 2004 version of "Coffee & TV" that's more fun than the original. Graham's having a lot better time being an ex-member of Blur than he had as a member of the post-Britpop-borderline-art-rock band who recorded '13'--I mean, who would have thought the miserable looking sod would end an album by singing "Life, I love you...?"



Graham one-man-band's it on the majority of tracks but the sound is leaner and punkier than even "Song 2"--his voice has gained confidence and strength and his guitar playing is loud and raucous without being stupid; it reminds you why even NOEL FREAKIN' GALLAGHER said that Graham was one of the best of his generation (hopefully John Squire is paying attention after forgetting to play guitar and attempting to "sing" on his recent solo albums.) Graham is retro without being sad, reminiscent without being cloying, rock that rolls without selling it's soul to the latest trends. 'Think Tank' was a bong load of tomorrow coming today, 'Happiness in Magazines' is an old friend that you didn't realize you missed until he sits down and steals your cigarettes."

Why Doesn't Good Music Get Noticed Anymore?

Lawrence of Suburbia | Pepperland | 03/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Graham Coxon (ex-Blur guitarist) has turned in a solid effort here, which may make you think of mid-90s Blur (think "Charmless Man" or "Beetlebum"), or maybe even XTC circa "Black Sea". His off-kilter sense of humour shows in lyrics like "People of the Earth" ("People of the Earth, you are not cool/You eat hamburgers and go to school"!), while the guitar playing remains excellent throughout. The better songs here suggest who was really the talent in Blur..."

It grows on you.

Heavy Theta | Lorton, Va United States | 03/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Picked this up after reading a rather favorable review in the Washington Post. Initially I felt a little underwhelmed by the effort, feeling that Graham Coxon was in dire need of significant bandmates. But I left the disc in the player for a couple of days and I have to admit the more I hear it the more I seem to appreciate its humor and style. Not quite Robyn Hitchcock meets Rocket from the Tombs. Not mindblowing (but what is these days?) but more than enjoyable."