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THE REVIEW
Blur is my favorite band: they have had a most unique career but totally without any style setbacks. Perhaps the only album that doesn't thrill me very much is the first one, Leisure.
During the promotion of the aforementioned album with the exhausting Rollercoaster Tour 1991-1992 in America, Blur developed a great hatred towards America and particularly towards the Grunge movement, which at the time was dominating the charts. They wanted to bring British music back to its former glory, and they evolved: from a baggy-shoegaze band, they became one of the first britpop bands, alongside groups like Suede and Auteurs. Between October 1991 and March 1993, they went through the very troubled gestation of "Modern Life Is Rubbish," their second album which, despite indeed inaugurating the Britpop course and despite the positive reviews of the time, was a flop... it's strange because the material contained is extremely original and enjoyable.
Tracks like "For Tomorrow," "Chemical World," and "Sunday Sunday" (the three singles from the album) are quirky, or at least they were at the time, and surprised most of the English audience, entering the Top 30. The first, britpop à la Beatles/ELO, features la la la choruses that never leave your mind. It was conceived, along with "Chemical World," when the executive of their record label, Dave Balfe, demanded the presence of at least two more radio-friendly tracks, as for him, the album was a commercial suicide (and indeed it was: it sold only 40,000 copies). The second is a masterpiece: lyrics about city life and biting, rock music. The third is a march that describes any typical Sunday afternoon. Despite being hated by Balfe, it was the most successful single of the three (#26 UK).
The album nevertheless contains many other gems: from "Colin Zeal," brit-rock themed around the life of a typical English worker; "Starshaped," proposed as a single, with a very unusual melody and irresistible choruses; "Villa Rosie," with the strangest chord progression I've ever heard; "Pressure On Julian," a blues-psych rock infused with guitar and ending with a Black & Decker drill (yes, exactly, it says so in the booklet). "Coping" and "Advert" are two punk-rock tracks, "Turn It Up" a rather commercial song hated by the band, and "Resigned," ultra-psychedelic.
A further note must be made for the two instrumentals, "Intermission" and "Commercial Break," chaotic and distorted in an amazing way (no wonder they date back to the period when the band was still called Seymour and composed super unlistenable pieces - just listen to their demos like b-sides of Sunday Sunday).
This album has left a mark, and today's bands testify to it: the first albums of Kaiser Chiefs, for example, seem a bit copied from this one (especially "Yours Truly Angry Mob").
One last note for those who buy the original CD: in the booklet, besides drawings and lyrics, there are also the chords to play the tracks written by none other than Graham Coxon, the guitarist. This tradition will remain until "The Great Escape," after which the subsequent albums will have very minimalistic booklets...
Comment, comment, comment!!!! I know I need to improve and I accept suggestions, but don't insult like usual!!!!!!!!
Yours, Temi#1994
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Summary by Bot
Blur’s 'Modern Life Is Rubbish' marks their shift from shoegaze to Britpop, offering original and memorable tracks with British themes. Despite initial commercial failure, the album influenced future British rock bands and remains a vital part of Blur’s legacy. The review highlights standout songs, the album’s quirky originality, and the rich booklet content by guitarist Graham Coxon.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
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Blur
English rock band formed in Colchester; core members include Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree. Rose to prominence during the Britpop era and later explored experimental and electronic sounds. Active from 1989 to present.49 Reviews
Other reviews
By charles
"If you have to spend euros on a Blur album, it certainly shouldn’t be for this one, perhaps the worst album of the Colchester band."
"‘For Tomorrow’ is one of the best tracks, concentrating all the characteristics of early '70s British rock, with a catchy 'la-la-la-la-la...' chorus that engages the listener from the first listen."
By Boop7
"Modern Life Is Rubbish" is the album of my heart.
"For Tomorrow" still deserves acclaim today! Just its beginning is an entire program, culturally, on the youth of the time.
