Meanwhile back at my Country House, Swappers Mansions, this  . . . . . . . and yes pretty much every album up until the GORILLAZ work of Damon's and Graham's solo album . . . . . . .but this is classic . . . . . now

On this day music history: February 10, 1997 - “Blur”, the fifth album by Blur is released (US release is on March 11, 1997). Produced by Stephen Street and Blur, it is recorded at Stúdíó Grettisgat in Reykjavík, Iceland, Maison Rouge Studio, Studio 13 and Mayfair Studios in London from June - November 1996. After four successful albums, Britpop phenoms Blur decide to shift course on their next album. In spite of their success, relations between its four band members are tense. Guitarist Graham Coxon is drinking heavily, and unhappy with Damon Albarn’s tight reign over the band, and disapproving of bassist Alex James’ wild antics and lifestyle. The simmering acrimony between the quartet of musicians, leads to them nearly disbanding. Coxon urges the band to move away from their signature “Britpop” sound. A fan of American “lo-fi” indie rock bands like Pavement, Coxon feels the change is necessary to shake things up. Beginning the recording sessions in London, they realize that a change of scenery is needed to escape their previous influences. The band leave the UK, and continue work in Iceland. Refreshed by the new locale, things fall into place quickly, and allowing Blur to somewhat heal their fractured relationships. Upon hearing the finished album, British music critics are taken aback by the sound of “Blur”. Feeling that the band have committed “commercial suicide”, they are initially negative in their criticism. Those critics are quickly silenced when the first single “Beetlebum” (#1 UK) hits the airwaves. Written about Albarn’s experimenting with heroin while dating Elastica lead singer Justine Frischmann, it enters the UK singles chart at number one. It also tops the charts in Scotland, hitting the top ten in Spain, Ireland and Finland. Though it is the follow up release “Song 2” (#2 UK, #55 US Pop, #6 US Modern Rock) that has the longest lasting impact. Barely two minutes in length, the energetic blast of a song punctuated by Albarn’s yelled refrain of “woo-hoo!” during the choruses, becomes a modern rock radio staple. The simple performance clip (directed by Sophie Muller), is played heavily on MTV. Used frequently in films, television commercials and other media, “Song 2” becomes a fixture of late 90’s pop culture. It spins off two more singles in the UK, including “On Your Own” (#5 UK) and “M.O.R.” (#15 UK). “Blur” becomes the band’s best selling album in the US. To commemorate the album’s fifteenth anniversary in 2012, it is remastered and reissued as a two CD set (Europe only). The first disc contains the original fourteen song album, with the second disc featuring CD single B-sides, single remixes and live tracks. It is also reissued as a double vinyl LP set (minus the bonus tracks). “Blur” spends one week at number one on the UK album chart and is certified Platinum by the BPI, peaking at number sixty one of the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.