Blur (Blur Album)

Blur (Blur album)

Blur is the fifth studio album by English rock band Blur, released in February 1997. Blur had previously been known for holding a grudge against American culture and their previous albums had become associated with the Britpop movement, particularly Parklife (1994), which had helped them become one of Britain's leading pop acts. After their previous album, The Great Escape, the band faced media backlash and relationships between the members became strained.

Under the suggestion of the bands guitarist, Graham Coxon, the band underwent a stylistic change, becoming influenced by American indie rock bands such as Pavement and Sonic Youth. Recording took place in London as well as in Reykjavik, Iceland. Drummer Dave Rowntree described the music on album as being more aggressive and emotional than their previous work. Producer Stephen Street said lead singer-songwriter, Damon Albarn had started writing about more personal experiences while Coxon revealed that listening to his lyrics it was clear to him that "he'd obviously gone off his head a bit more."

Despite worries from Blur's label, EMI, and the music press that the change in style would alienate the bands predominantly teenage fanbase and that the album would flop as a result, Blur, as well as the albums lead single, "Beetlebum", reached the top of the UK Album Chart and was certified Platinum. The album also reached the top 20 in six other countries. The success of "Song 2" led to Blur becoming the bands most successful album in the US where the Britpop scene had been largely unsuccessful. The album received positive reviews from most music critics, many praising the stylistic change as well as Albarn's improved songwriting.