Blur / Blur by Josh Aderholt Virgin Records Blur's 1995 release The Great Escape is the most British-sounding record I've heard in years -- perfect European pop. I expected great things from their next release, but when I heard that Damon and the boys were getting heavy into Pavement and had great plans of winning over an American audience, I got worried. I don't necessarily dislike Pavement, but what I loved about Blur was that they were so unlike Pavement ‹ they floated where college rock sank. Now that Blur's self-titled CD is available, I am nothing if not confused. Ergo, to speak of the album as a whole would bust my head, so I'll go briefly track by track to save us all some pain. 1. "Beetlebum" is Beatle-esque, and has nice harmonies -- always a good sign. 2. Hopefully you've seen the video for "Song 2" on the tube. The band flies around the room like they're in Twister, having a lot of fun in spite of being in one of the shortest videos around at two minutes and a whopping second. 3. "Country Sad Ballad Man" is a bit moody (feared Pavement influence) but cheeky enough to past muster. 4. "M.O.R." really isn't that much fun -- typical progressions and repetitions -- so it doesn't matter that I don't know what M.O.R. means. 5. "On Your Own" brings in back-up vocals and has a great pop shout and response chorus. 6. "Theme From Retro" is sketchy. It sounds too much like Pink Floyd. "I feel like I should be tripping." 7. "You're So Great" is awfully whiny, a lot like Neil Young. Does Pavement like Neil Young? As far as this kind of thing goes, I suppose it's not bad. 8. "Death of a Party" tries to sound like the death of a party. It reminds me of The Smiths' "The Death of a Disco Dancer," which isn't such a bad thing. 9. "Chinese Bombs" is a ninety second hardcore number. 10. "I'm Just a Killer for Your Love" sounds like decent 70s white acid funk, if you can imagine that. 11. "Look Inside America" is a damn fine pop song. It even has strings. 12. "Strange News From Another Star" seems a deliberate nod to Bowie space songs, if you're into that kind of thing. 13. "Movin' On" is a pop song of the boring variety -- something Damon's sweetie may have had left over. 14. "Essex Dogs" is over 11 minutes long. Keep in mind I am speaking from a perspective that considers The Great Escape a near-- perfect album. I'm sure America's college rock audience will eat Blur up. But I'm disappointed. I don't want to wonder why Blur loves Pavement, or want so badly to be successful in the country mocked on "Look Inside America." I don't want to think about how "Beetlebum" may be self-critical, or why it's bad to sound like The Beatles. I just want a great pop album. Although Blur is at times muddied by the whininess and self- infatuation (11.5 minutes!) that seems to have pervaded college radio darlings Pavement and others, there are moments when you can still hear the best goddamn pop band on the other side of the pond trying to keep the ship afloat.

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