Another old review.

Whilst still sorting through old reviews I did in various places in cyberspace, here's a review of Blur's Special Collector's Edition in 2004. What a sad stoodent I was. Still, 5 people found it helpful apparently.

Britpop's founders at their peak.
This album is an excellent retrospective of a band at the height of their artistic (rather than commercial) peak. From the My Bloody Valentine fixated period of songs like 'Luminous' and 'Hanging Over'- all swirly guitars ending in repetitive feedback, through to the more familiar 'la la la' elements of Britpop in 'Threadneedle Street'. Rather than being a mere b-sides album, this edition is like an alternative early history of Blur, perfectly complementing 'Leisure', 'Modern Life is Rubbish' and 'Parklife'.There is an experimental nature to some of the songs (like most b-sides), especially in 'Badgeman Brown' amd 'Es Schmecht'. On 'Got Yer!' Damon's mockney ramblings seem a little embarrassing - the track obviously being a precursor to 'Essex Dogs' and indeed 'Ernold Same'. The instrumental tracks are interesting. I'd love to know what Damon's then girlfriend Justine Frischmann thought of 'Anniversary Waltz', given her supposed hatred of German music. The only disappointing track is 'Beard', a pseudo-jazz effort uncharacteristic of Blur, and I could have done without the Japanese fans rendition of 'Bank Holiday'.But this album represents everything that was good about Britpop. Graham's guitar work on tracks like 'Inertia' sounding like a beefier, distorted Johnny Marr and Damon is on fine form throughout, except on ' Maggie May',(Blur's only cover to date)where he clearly struggles with the high notes!This is how Britpop should be remembered though. Not your Liam swaggers, Weller ballads, or Suede dandy-isms. Just cracking songs and innovative, exciting music made by four brilliant musicians with turned up Levis who pretended to be from Camden. Two years after this album Blur had moved on musically (and geographically) but this is an essential purchase for everyone who thinks 'Modern Life Is Rubbish' remains their best album.As Damon sings on 'Theme From An Imaginary Film': "Oh shame it's over/its been such fun and we had a ball".No truer words were said.

Richard Hawley at the Sugarmill 30/08/07

Last night myself and a friend made our way up to Hanley to see Richard Hawley at the Sugarmill. As we arrived Andy Gower was finishing his set, and the place began to fill up in the minutes that followed.
As Hawley played I couldn't help but be amazed by the tunes - mostly 'Bacharach-esque' romanticism in 3/4. One of Britpop's original players in his 40's. A glance around the venue revealed fans in the same mould.
"I was in a band called The Longpigs, many moons ago" said Hawley. "Yes" I thought, "and I saw you in the very same venue 11 years ago. And the singer then was from round here." How much had changed in the intervening years? Didn't bear thinking about.
Anyway, Hawley and his band mates, bespectacled and adorned in suit jackets and blazers, seemed to epitomize the state of those mid-90's acts still around today. Easier listening tunes and a more lounge-like approach. The crowd seemed to have embraced this as well. No reliving old times with zip-up stripey Adidas, Fred Perry's or Campus trainers that might have filled the venue in those days. We were all united in a sort of "let's just wear whatever, and hope the gig finishes before midnight so I can go to bed" vibe. There were quite a few 'oldies' there as well. Sadly, nobody I recognised from that bygone age. If I were to hazard a guess I'd say they're probably in their own homes somewhere, perhaps putting their young kids to bed, settled in a professional routine, maybe even living further afield.
"Britpop is Dead - get over it!" one might cry. But it isn't. It's just, like us, grown old with dignity. And the current scene is all the better for it.