Modern Life Is Rubbish was the first album of Blur’s that I ever bought. Actually, Leisure is their debut, but I got that after this one. Anyway, this was all back in the early 1990’s and now feels like a lifetime away. Still, I had to write a review to let others know about this classic album. Here’s a run down, track by track:
1. For Tomorrow : A jaunty sing-along with the catchy ’’la la la la la’’ chorus.
2. Advert : Slice of life, British style...this sounds a lot like the Kinks.
3. Colin Zeal : Sharp and almost sinister sounding, even a guitar solo.
4. Pressure On Julian : Recalls Bowie / T.Rex a bit, but still definitely a Blur track.
5. Star Shaped : Another jangly-pop tune, very ’of the time’.
6. Blue Jeans : A slow number, introspective and bittersweet.
7. Chemical World / Intermission : Reason I bought the album, awesome single!
8. Sunday Sunday : Back to jaunty, this one recalls the Beatles ’’Penny Lane’’
9. Oily Water : Representing the shoegazing sound they were just getting over.
10. Miss America : Another slow one, calm and strangely relaxing.
11. Villa Rosie : A taste of the britpop sound to come? Yes, indeed!
12. Coping : Sounds a lot like ’Colin Zeal’ and ’Pressure on Julian’ actually.
13. Turn It Up : Still a little shoegazey, but with some punch to it.
14. Resigned / Commercial Track : Resigned by name, resigned by nature.
The US version also includes the track Pop Scene, which is fast and furious and awesome if you are ever lucky enough to see Blur perform it live.
I hope you have enjoyed my brief reviews of each track. This is a very broad overview, but Blur have had such an extensive career that one should really sample their whole body of work to hear how they have changed over the years. Even after 10+ years, I am still a very BIG fan of this great British band!