release date: Mar. 15, 1999
format: 2 cd (2012 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,44]
producer: William Orbit
label: Food / Parlophone - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Tender" (4 / 5) (live) - 2. "Bugman" - 3. "Coffee & TV" - 4. "Swamp Song" - 7. "Battle" - 11. "Trimm Trabb" - 12. "No Distance Left to Run"
6th studio album by Blur follows two years after the album Blur and it's the band's first not to be produced by Stephen Street. As Blur has increasingly experimented and sought out new styles the change of producer really comes like a natural progression, and frankly had been expected at an earlier stage. The album both follows closely in the footsteps of Blur with its noisier style, but also manages to go its own way by incorporating new elements like trip hop and neo-psychedelia. Producer William Orbit is an English instrumental electronic musician, which may not be heard on the album, but naturally adds in the making.
Apparently, guitarist Graham Coxon had pushed the band towards a more noise rock / alt. rock universe, which had its dawn on Blur, while Albarn dragged the band into a more experimental sound. An episode which had its impact in shaping the album took place in the personal life of Damon Albarn, who experienced a break-up in a long-time relationship with Elastica vocalist Justine Frischmann, which may be hinted at on several tracks. The title refers to the recording studio by Blur, and in addition, when placed close enough, the two digits 1 + 3 [13] form the letter B for "Blur". The cover art is a detail of a painting "The Apprentice" by guitarist Graham Coxon with the addition of the title numbers.
13 doesn't contain obvious pop hit songs, although, three well-fairing singles were released: "Tender", "Coffee & TV" and "No Distance Left to Run". The album was generally met by positive reviews, and it topped the albums chart list as the fourth consecutive by Blur, and the single "Tender" reached number #2 on the singles chart list. In addition, 13 was nominated several awards including the prestigious Mercury Prize Award.
I always found this album a bit strange, but it does win in the long run. The trip hop and art pop elements that Blur elaborate on here are not far from later Albarn projects. What seems an interesting point is the fact that Albarn shortly prior to starting the recording sessions for the album initiated collaborative works with Jamie Hewlett, who would later be the other half of the Albarn-project, Gorillaz. 13 is a bit of a mixed bag with some fine songs but also too many ideas and stylistic expressions that it's difficult to listen to in one go. That impression doesn't disappear with the remastered 2-disc issue with the inclusion of a "Bonus material disc", which takes everything even further in all directions.
After this album, Albarn initiated his (virtual) project-band Gorillaz and guitarist Graham Coxon concentrated on a solo career he had already initiated before the recording sessions for this album.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5, The Guardian, Q Magazine 4 / 5 stars ]
