2023-10-02 04:52:29

Graham Coxon: Blur Attempted to Move Away from Britpop Sound on 'Blur'
Graham Coxon, a member of the band Blur, has revealed their efforts to distance themselves from the sound of Britpop on their self-titled album released in 1997. The album, which featured popular singles such as 'Song 2' and 'Beetlebum', displayed a more aggressive and emotionally heightened style compared to their previous work.

Seeking a New Direction
Coxon played a key role in pushing for a stylistic change within the band. In a recent interview with Mojo, he discussed his efforts to make this happen. "I wrote a letter to Damon because I wasn't confident enough to bring up the conversation about my needs. I expressed the desire to start scaring people again, like we did at the beginning with songs such as 'Oily Water' and 'Resigned'. Let's make a bloody row and have fun," Coxon recalled. Although he didn't receive much of a reaction, Damon did give him more control over the creative process.

A 'Graham Album'?
Coxon also addressed the perception that Blur's self-titled album was primarily his work. While acknowledging that he contributed a lot, he emphasized Damon's ability to envelop his voice in something beautiful. However, tracks like 'Essex Dogs' often led people to associate the album with Coxon.


Moving Away from Britpop
Coxon expressed that the band felt pressured to conform to the Britpop genre, despite having no real association with it. They aimed to shed any connection to Britpop and distance themselves from their beloved influence, The Kinks. However, the influence of Damon and producer Stephen Street, particularly through David Bowie's music, remained. Blur found their own form of heavy psychedelia, transitioning from the more whimsical style associated with "Toad-of-Toad-Hall" psychedelia.
The Unconventional Album
Coxon reflected on the unconventional nature of their self-titled album. He mentioned that EMI, their record label, loved songs like 'Song 2' which were initially created as a joke. Tracks like 'Beetlebum' and 'Strange News From Another Star' were not initially intended to be part of the album, but label executive Andy Ross insisted on their inclusion. The album, while unfocused, showcased each song's unique personality, which posed its own challenges.
An Authentic and Unforgettable Album
Despite the album's self-indulgent moments, Coxon believed it ultimately came from an authentic place and was therefore hard to criticize. He admitted that he couldn't recall the reviews or overall reception, but the authenticity of the album acted as an impenetrable force field.
Noel Gallagher's Opinion
Recently, Noel Gallagher shared his opinion on bands like Blur and Pulp, stating that while they were great, Oasis was "better." Gallagher emphasized their superiority in terms of the number and quality of their tunes, as well as their ability to be louder and faster. While he acknowledged the greatness of other bands, he firmly believed that Oasis surpassed them all.
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