The Blur21 Deluxe 22-disc set
The Vinyl Box
This raises an interesting question, though. Many fans believe this is just a nice release and that we can still expect a new album and tour from Blur, but to me this screams "wrapping up the career." Bands don't typically release career retrospective sets where they empty out (just about) everything from the vaults. In addition, Damon has stated in numerous interviews since the Brits award in February that the Hyde Park Olympics gig will be the last show ever, Under the Westway will be "a nice little coda" for the band, and that he can still make music with Graham but not "the other two." It all adds up, in my mind, to a nice and graceful farewell for Blur after this August's shows.
And honestly, I'm not only happy with that, but I actually hope it is the case. With as good as the vibe and the momentum was in 2009, if they couldn't make new music then, I just don't see how they will now. The overall mood within the band seems to be rather down, at least judging from recent interviews with them (individually, of course), and after the excitement of the Brits award performance and the promise of big announcements in terms of shows and releases, we got nothing until last night. Of course, the news of the Blur21 release is very welcome, but offering no *NEW* music, instead packaging up all of the old stuff...well, I see this as a nice exclamation point at the end of the Blur story as the curtain gracefully and classily (is that a word?) draws to a close and we all move on.
What say you?
I agree, although I think it is a shame mate. I mean, after the 2009 reunion gigs, I think the real closing chapter for Blur would be to make one final album WITH Graham Coxon in full.I love Think Tank, but I see an ending with the last album of the band's career, without hteir genius guitarrist,as a sad thing. Maybe as a fan I'm over reacting but that's how I feel it.
ReplyDeleteOh! And I'll get both the vinyl and the disc set, althoug I already have almost everything in it!
I feel like they squandered all the goodwill and momentum they had in 2009 and again after the Brits this past February. They could've struck when the iron was hot and they didn't. It'll be interesting to see how things shake out this summer.
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