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THE REVIEW
Damon Albarn, Alex James, and Dave Rowntree (and Graham Coxon only in a small part) have created their latest work: "Think Tank."
This album initially presents itself as quite an enigma; in fact, the most frequent question that comes to mind upon first listening is "What kind of inconclusive album is this 'Think Tank'?" Well, let me tell you right away that if you don't have patience, you'll never be able to grasp and savor the dark and sweet atmospheres present in this work.
"Think Tank" opens with "Ambulance," probably the best track on the album, a song with dub and psychedelic nuances, followed by "Out Of Time" (the first single), which is undoubtedly the perfect melody par excellence that will get inside you right away and will hardly leave you. After two excellent tracks comes the Blur's stylistic fall: "Crazy Beat," which is nothing but a poor imitation of "Bugman" from the album "13" (1999), possibly leading skeptics to think of it as a poor attempt by the trio to "sell as much as possible" of this album. But if you continue listening, you realize that's not the case at all; "Think Tank" is anything but a commercial attempt. This is evident through "On The Way To The Club," which immerses the listener in an anguishing, dark, and gloomy environment (a particular note of this song is the line "My eyes are blue, there's nothing I can do..." where Albarn discards the accusations of being famous only for their past as sex symbols), "Caravan" the most melancholic song in Trip-pop style, which recalls some atmospheres already attempted in "Blur" (1997) and "Gene By Gene" that even presents some ska nuances.
The album slides down smoothly after several listens and honestly won't easily leave your CD player because every song in "Think Tank" has its own story, its own different morphology. I don't call it a masterpiece, because great albums are recognized only after years and years from their publication, perhaps it won't be the case for "Think Tank," not certainly for musical shortcomings, but because too many people can't remove the Brit-Pop label from Blur.
Curiosities:
1) If you rewind from "Ambulance," you can access the ghost track "My White Noise" (nothing special, to be clear..)
2) "Battery In Your Leg" is the only song in which Graham Coxon is present
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Summary by Bot
Blur's Think Tank presents a challenging but rewarding listening experience with dark, sweet atmospheres and diverse musical styles. The album departs from their usual Britpop sound, blending psychedelic and trip-pop elements. Despite some mixed moments like 'Crazy Beat,' the album proves artistic and non-commercial. Notably, Graham Coxon appears only on one track. Think Tank is an underrated work that reveals its depth over time.
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 Rivo
This album released on May 5, 2003, left me very puzzled.
I’ve always loved Blur. And I will continue to do so, even if this album just doesn’t sit well with me.
By danieleerpiccoletto
"Head and shoulders above the rest of the album is 'Out Of Time,' slow and romantic, recorded in Morocco and accompanied by a video shot on a U.S. military ship."
"Overall, a good album, unusual and decidedly out of the ordinary for Blur’s style... these guys have successfully completed the transformation that began with 'Blur' and have given us this excellent musical product."
By Boop7
"Out Of Time" is one of the most beautiful songs of the new millennium and the opening phrase as one of the GREAT QUESTIONS of our uncertain times: 'Where’s the love song to set us free?'
"Battery In Your Leg" puts a grand finale to an album full of hope. A finale to a friend, Graham Coxon, who had collaborated right on the last track.
By Ynamusic
The cover of Think Tank... depicts two people... in the act of embracing... an embrace that is thought to be a prelude to a kiss that will never happen.
Think Tank is a world of sounds where Blur reinvent themselves and put into practice their ability to alienate themselves from the world and transform this floating situation.
