Blur get on with crazy entropy and beats

It was reported that when Noel Gallagher (Oasis) saw a preview of ‘Brit-pop’ flick, ‘Live Forever’, his reaction was – “S**t, what the f**k happened to Damon?” Well, the Blur’s singer, Albarn let his development un-arrest itself, grew into a (more) responsible person by becoming a father, the band have matured as players and are no more ready to tolerate any compromises but follow own whatever-factor. ‘Think Tank’ feels like an album the band’s made honestly, truthfully and to satisfy own creative impulses; the impression being that the departure of guitarist Graham Coxon has released some other artistic juices.

There are only three of them now, there is less to argue over sounds, less details to work in, less restrictions… Coxon is still present on one track, the closing ‘Battery In Your Leg’, the moody guitar-driven cut that is a bridge to the identity the band’s left behind. Blur’s aesthetic has changed radically: instead of relying on guitar to drive the songs, the band is liberated to experiment with electronic loops and (newly wed) Alex James’s sonorous bass playing. And, if there ever was a rulebook the band utilized, it’s gone back to its pulp state.

‘Think Tank’’s scope is wide, from World music via pop to reggae… This is not an album that dispenses its goodness with a first listen, alike ‘Parklife’ for instance, because these songs are alternatively sweeping and melodic, spacious and artsy, diverse and outlandish. Some sound like Krautrockers, one of Albarn’s influences, as Can and Neu!, others are reminiscent of his side project, Gorillaz, which Coxon always resented and bailed out. Perhaps fortunately for all concerned because Blur otherwise wouldn’t have cut an ace track like ‘Brothers And Sisters’!

Experiences of Albarn’s virtual band and Word-fusionionist ‘Mali Music’ disc have left their mark: ‘Moroccan Peoples Revolutionary Bowls Club’ uses the local idiom but it is not touristy, Albarn has had his education; ‘Crazy Beat’ is Gorillaz-esque and yet it is no less Blur than their previous hits. ‘Sweet Song’ is like a haunting lullaby that is followed by a bass-driven ‘Jets’ that drops some serious mutations here to near it a neo-fusion of a jazz-rock kind. Succulent, French like to call this type of free-form compositions.

‘Gene By Gene’ toys with the sonic language The Clash practised but it ends up sounding more like Big Audio Dynamite under the additional production value of one Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim. His other contribution here, ‘Crazy Beat’, is more in line with what one expects from the man and it adds to the whole feel of the record.

’Think Tank’ is a free-spirited record that let’s you in gradually to provide lasting memories in the best tradition of the seminal albums. It's expansive, a little meandering and lacks a cohesive element that strong guitar used to provide in the past. Albarn played the few guitar parts on the record but ex-Verve guitarist Simon Tong has been hired thence to play with the band live.

The disc may not sound like anything old Blur fans are used to, but it reflects the creative environment in which the band found itself. Entirely different creative urges had to be satisfied, altered masters bowed to, atypical outlook applied to the conventional ideology to produce a valiant album for the times that are congested with stagnation and retro-isms. Blur expectorate it in a grand mode. Top spirit-healing gear.

9/10

Live dates:

8-10, 12 & 13 May – Astoria, London
23 August – Carling Weekend, Reading
24 August – Carling Weekend, Leeds