Similarly to Radiohead, Blur has expanded on what they may have seemed like previously. Park Life is a great cd, but it is still limited within the genre. Then, as Kid A was to Radiohead, Blur produced Thinktank. Albarn must have taken elements from his side project, Gorillaz, back into the studio with Blur. These elements include more funkiness, and in general a wider variety of musical sounds.
1)
Ambulance
The album kicks off with some drums, with jungle-sounds in the background. The bass soon joins in with a very smooth main bassline. Alburn's singing is once as usual high and childlike, but somehow enigmatic. "No I ain't got nothin to be scared of, because I love you" goes the main lyric. The song remains slow and mellowed out until about 3:00, where it changes completely. It has a funky tune and lasts for about 2 minutes. A great opener for the cd, and it gives you an idea of what's in store. 4.5/5
2)
Out Of Time
This is one of the better songs of the album. At the beginning, you hear a strange voice, and then the quiet song begins. An eastern-sounding string instrument is played alongside the bass, and Alburn's singing is beautiful as ever. The music is atmospheric and peaceful. The joyful chorus goes, "You've been so busy lately that you haven't found the time, to open up and your mind. And watch the world spinning gently out of time. Out of time." This song includes a brilliant sitar (I think) solo after the second chorus. Out Of Time has great music and nice lyrics, so I give it a 5/5. It is a very memorable song, definitely.
3)
Crazy Beat
I first heard this song on a car commercial. The voice at the beginning is annoying at the main guitar riff is very distorted and not very creative. Damon Alburn sings, "Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah." I do not particularly like this song, but it shows that they still have a little of what was Blur before. However, this song does not come anywhere near the anthemic and infamous Song 2. 2.5/5
4)
Good Song
This song makes me think of Coldplay. While being very different in style, its predominant feeling is in the title. This is a good song. "You seem very beautiful to me" is the is sung in the chorus. Good song is a pleasant as you can get when it comes to Blur, and it comfortably remains so for the entire song. 4.5/5
5)
On The Way To The Club
This song is driven by the bass at the beginning, and has somber lyrics. I find it quite dreary and trite, until the bridge. Damon Alburn vocalizes with a harmonica-quality to his voice that I find haunting yet gentle. The song slowly fades away. The first part of the song prevents me from giving it a four, so my rating for On The Way To The Club is 3.5/5
6)
Brother and Sisters
Maybe there's something wrong with me; maybe I'm missing something. I don't know, but I just don't like this song. I dislike the classic-rock etchings and the muffled lyrics. I give it a 2/5
7)
Caravan
Caravan is a very soft song, that seems predictable to begin with, but it has a surprisingly nice section where Alburn simply sings "La la la la la la." After that, nothing in the song grabs me in particular. This is a nice song to add to your chillout playlists, though. 3.5/5
8)
We've Got A File On You
The electric guitar is present in the very beginning. It strums and then evolves into a melody. The melody is irritating, but the short-lived background music is very cool. Then, the whole band kicks in in an attempt at a hard song. It just lacks the power and grit of earlier Blur songs. The chorus is extremely annoying and Alburn does nothing but repeat the title in a horrible wail. From the first five seconds of the song, I expected it be very good. In my opinion, this song is the worst track on the album. 2/5
9)
Moroccan Peoples Revolutionary Bowls Club
I know what you're thinking. What a ridiculous title. Don't worry, the song is better than the title. There is a once again funky bassline and some cool tom lines. The song changes around wildly, and just puts a smile on my face sometimes. It reminds me of when I used to live in London, England, and I would see the reflections of the street lights on the pavement. Don't ask me why. I am a sentimental lad. 4/5
10)
Sweet Song
Good Song is a sweet song, but Sweet Song really takes the cake. The melody is truly lovely, and as I am listening to it right now, my eyes feel heavy. Alburn's voice is pacifying and nurturing. A gentle piano tune compliments his voice exquisitely. Probably my favorite song of the album (don't quote me). 5/5
11)
Jets
Before I bought this cd last summer, my uncle Dan was playing this song in the car, on the way home from the Crystal Palace game. I was paying that much attention to it, because we were talking, but I couldn't help but notice the sudden changes and immense variety of sounds in this song. I asked him what it was and he said it was Blur. I didn't believe him until I heard Damon Alburn muttering something in the background. The song travels around different realms. Eventually, a dancing alto saxophone solo enters the song, completely off tempo with the rest of the music. When I listen, an amusing picture comes into my head: A bunch of conventional instruments are sitting around playing themselves, and a saxophone crashes their party. The instruments try to ignore the sax, but he is relentless to be heard. Jets is a very strange song that deserves attention. 3.5/5
12)
Gene By Gene
This song reminds me of an Aphex Twin song off I Care Because You Do, in which the sound of a chair rubbing against the floor is part of the music. In Gene By Gene, you can hear the creaking of a spring mattress, suggesting people having sex. Whatever it is, it doesn't prevent the band from playing a normal, warm song. The song turns out to be a lot more than just sound-effect babble, which is a nice surprise. 3.5/5
13)
Battery In Your Leg
Battery In Your Leg seems to be a very emotional song for Blur. Alburn sings with a piano, and the music sounds like its in a huge concert hall. There is a gorgeous guitar tune played at about 1:40, that reminds me of Tomahawk's winding down in Narcosis. The winding down is appropriate, as this is the last song on the album. 4.5/5
If you haven't heard Blur before, I recommend you buy Best of Blur, which came out before Thinktank. If you know Blur, you should check out this cd and discover their versatility.
