This is the next century…

Think Tank, the last studio album, so far, by Blur is one that for all the best will in the world is one that is confusing for Blur fans. Yes it’s Blur, the magic of Damon Albarn’s lyrics were still there and the musical talent of Alex James and Dave Rowntree were evident. What was missing was vital ingredient of Graham Coxon, without him Blur were a threesome for the first time in their career and it unfortunately showed as without his compatriot for all but one song, Damon Albarn sounds tired and it could be suggested that the pull of side project, Gorillaz, was too much for the talented song-writer to cope with.

Think Tank was the start of lean times for fans of the band, put on ice till Graham Coxon returned in incredible style for an almost majestic return at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall and near perfect display at Glastonbury, the band went their separate ways and built lives away from considerably one of the best bands to make the 90’s their stomping ground.

It was also the first album to have so many separate and wide ranging musicians taking part in the recording process. This type of recording can go one of two ways, either it’s a huge critical and commercial success as was proved by Paul Simon on the Graceland album or it can sound distorted, lacking cohesion and taking something away from the music rather than adding to its overall charm.

Many fans of Pink Floyd would suggest another factor to consider. In 1983 Pink Floyd released The Final Cut, it was the last album by the definitive Progressive Rock group to feature Roger Waters. In retrospect it’s considered one of the worst Pink Floyd albums, however many fans agree it would have made an excellent Roger Water’s solo affair, matching the intensity and drama of Amused To Death. Think Tank is Blur’s The Final Cut, as Damon was proving to become a brilliant recording artist away from the band, it is possible to consider that perhaps the memories of superb and well written meaningful songs should have remained in the 1990’s an oasis of colour in a near soulless decade for emerging bands.

Whatever the arguments, there really can be no doubt that the band missed Graham Coxon as without the Ying to Albarn’s Yang, it is powerful but ultimately un-loveable.

All the albums are now available to buy as part of the 21^st anniversary collection and with only a couple of exceptions it is a timely reminder that for a little while Damon Albarn, Dave Rowntree, Alex James and Graham Coxon were just superb, fun to watch, incredible to listen to and as near perfect a British band that the 90’s were capable of producing.

…And it looks as if we might have made it, yes it looks like we’ve made it too the end.

Ian D. Hall