2LP set. Dark yet engaging 2003 swansong re-pressed on 2 vinyl discs in high quality replica of the original sleeve artwork.

Compared to the brash pop of Damon Albarn's Gorillaz side project and 1999's overtly emotional 13, Think Tank is a soulful and subtle affair—its tone possibly traceable to the departure of founding member Graham Coxon midway through its recording. There are classic Blur rock moments here, notably "Crazy Beat," which is cut from the same cloth as the classic "Song 2," and the painfully short but brilliant "We've Got a File On You," which sounds like agitprop punks Crass mixed up with a Moroccan snake charmer. But while Albarn still has an ear for a melody, without Coxon's guitars to subvert them, most of these songs sound like the work of a new band. "Caravan"'s sleepy rhythm plods at a camel's pace, while "Gene by Gene" employs cross rhythms to evoke desert images. Blur is now more about textures rather than standard rock rhythms. Some will find their evolution off-putting, but for fans who appreciate a band that refuses to sit still, Think Tank is a rewarding listen.

Blur: Damon Albarn, Alex James, Dave Rowntree. Additional personnel includes: James Dring (programming). Producers: Blur, Ben Hillier, Norman Cook, William Orbit.

Tracklist

A1        Ambulance
A2        Out Of Time
A3        Crazy Beat
B1        Good Song
B2        On The Way To The Club
B3        Brothers And Sisters
C1        Caravan
C2        We've Got A File On You
C3        Moroccan Peoples Revolutionary Bowls Club
C4        Sweet Song
D1        Jets
D2        Gene By Gene
D3        Battery In Your Leg

*Audio and/or tracklist may vary slightly from the vinyl version.

Label: Emm/Emm
Catalog: 2013015
Rel. Date: 07/31/2012
UPC: 5099962484817

• Format Detail: LP
• Genre: Rock
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 07/31/2012