13 (studio album) by Blur

From Brad1770 02/21/2023 12:24

The album that unlocked Blur for me

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t particularly dislike Blur prior to 99, it was simply nothing in their cannon had grabbed my utter attention like a Sued, Oasis or a MBV

I recall the moment like it was yesterday. Having read great reviews for ‘13’ I drove to the closest JB HiFi (Australian electronic chain) picked up a copy on CD, removed the obligatory protective plastic security wrap, shoved the round shiny disc into my car play and drove home and by the time “Tender” was over I had one of those Ah-Huh moments, not a OMG my life is forever changed Pixies ‘Surfer Rosa’ moment, but a moment nonetheless and my opinion of Blur was forever inexorably altered on that drive home. And really it was because ‘13’ is Blur not sounding like Blur and instead being experimental, wonky and Albarn wearing his broken heart on his dusty sleeve

‘13’ is far from perfect, but nothing in the Blur discography holds a candle to it for sheer x-factor and replay ability

An interesting and experimental album from Blur that is always a unique experience. The big songs on here are great with the opening track Tender being amongst my favourite Blur tracks of all time. They really don't hold back with their performances on the better songs with them feeling important but still very fun. Where they shine is on the more catchy songs with them being so intelligent at creating infectious music and hooking us to their songs and this record is no exception. It is an inconsistent listen however with there being quite a few skippable tracks and it does drag. Overall, there are some classic Blur moments on here but they can't maintain it across the whole release.

I guess there is little doubt that Blur, with the many single hits from the two success albums "Parklife" and "The Great Escape" from 1994 and 1995, was growing tired of all the rush and demand for new hits.
This led the group to write radically different and more experimental music, which resulted the album "Blur" from 1997. Perhaps against anticipation, however, the commercial success continued unchanged with a first position on the UK album charts and big single hits with "Beetlebum", "Song", "On Your Own" and to a lesser extent "MOR".

With "13" from 1999, the group continues further out of the experimental path and there is no longer much room for dalliance and cattchy melodies - unfortunately. However, there are a few exceptions that, for me, means that "13" is an album I would certainly not miss. Like the predecessor, the album was a great commercial success and I believe that the great single "Tender" is an important explanation for this. It is a fairly long and stil relatively simple number but with a fantastic structure, starting with a simple lo-fi guitar and a build up toward a full orchestral sound and gospel choir. Unsurprisingly, several great choirs around the world have taken this fine song to their repertoire. "Tender" deservedly was a big hit, but never reached the actual first position.

The second single was the charming "Coffee and TV", which is both light and catchy; a song that could well have been picked up on e.g. "Parklife". The songs continued Blur’s success on the singles lists. Last single was "No Distance Left to Run" - no obvious single topic; a slightly quirky and quiet bluesy song. Only in The U.K. did the song manage a top 20 ranking.

On the rest of the album, there are glimpses of fine parts; but as a whole, I feel it a disappointment. Perhaps the group was finally succeeding in their possible provokation. However, as a trio in 2003, the group did release the even more inert "Think Tank" before taking a long break and not being reunied on record till 2015 with the album "The Magic Whip"

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From Jboy56 03/28/2022 11:00

This album Blurred my Vision of music. Do not actively like it.

As with most Blur albums of this era, the singles are great but the rest of the album is very hard work. It's their 90s sound mixed in with a little bit of experimental stuff. Highlights are Coffee & TV, Tender, Battle and the brilliant No Distance Left To Run. I didn't like the rest of the album.

From Timestarter 08/13/2021 01:52

Highlights:

- Tender
- Bugman
- Coffee & TV
- 1992
- Caramel

From VictorVale 06/08/2021 20:00

Bem mais densos que outrora!

From sszwalbenest 04/26/2021 16:43

Great album! This was my first time listening through a Blur album and I am enjoying it a lot. Of what I understand, this is one of their more experimental records, and I had to listen to it a second time to really get it, which proved worth it. Highlight songs: Tender, 1992, Battle, Caramel, No Distance Left to Run. Lowlights: Bugman, Optigan 1.

The album that cemented their status and confirmed our suspicion that they are in a league of their own and the rest of the Britpop bands can't touch them.

From anotoriousbug 01/19/2021 23:35

My favourite album by Blur is Modern Life is Rubbish but 13 is a close second and is easily their most accomplished album.