The Blur Magic Whip vinyl is a musical album released by the British band Blur in 2015. This vinyl record includes a collection of 12 songs, all written and performed by the band members. Blur is known for their unique blend of alternative rock, Britpop, and indie rock, and this album showcases their signature sound. The Magic Whip vinyl is considered a significant release in Blur's discography. It was the band's first full-length studio album in over a decade, following their 2003 release, "Think Tank." The album was produced by Stephen Street, who had previously worked with the band on their critically acclaimed albums, "Parklife" and "Blur.

Magic Whip [Vinyl LP]

Blur dissolved slowly so it follows that their reunion was protracted -- a halting reconvening that produced understated singles and excellent concerts spread out over a period of six years. Finding a headlining appearance at Japan's Tokyo Rocks festival canceled in the summer of 2013, the band holed up in a Hong Kong studio for five days, producing several reels of jams they abandoned until guitarist Graham Coxon decided to shape them into songs with the assistance of producer Stephen Street, the collaborator behind their greatest albums of the '90s. It's an unwieldy history for The Magic Whip, a record that's casually confident and so assured in its attack it feels like a continuation, not a comeback. Certainly, its moody meditations are of piece with Damon Albarn's 2014 Everyday Robots and his noir 2007 project The Good, The Bad & The Queen, but those albums, along with 2005's Demon Days, put into sharp relief that The Magic Whip belongs not to Damon, but to Blur. Often, the rhythm section of bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree announces itself through a churning undertow -- James' loping interjections on "Go Out" call attention to themselves in a manner not dissimilar to "Girls & Boys" -- but Coxon claims this record, easing the band (and listeners) into familiar territory via the bright "Lonesome Street," an evocation of Brit-pop that soon curdles into the gnarly squall of 1997's Blur and then settles into a steady thrum that's reminiscent of 13 but stripped of despair. While it retains trace elements of melancholy, The Magic Whip jettisons the internal turmoil that fueled the turn-of-the-millennium Blur albums -- 13, the record Albarn wrote in the wake of his split with Justine Frischmann, and Think Tank, the album they recorded while the band broke up -- and it also sees the world outside south London, with Albarn skewing all his observations through the prism of Hong Kong, capturing the digital isolation through the pulsating neon rush of mainland Asia. There are hooks, there are songs -- songs that sink their hooks in slowly and fully, registering in the subconscious without notice -- but it's Blur claiming their status as an art-pop band, favoring texture and mood over wit and flash. Like Everyday Robots, there's an existential loneliness thrumming throughout The Magic Whip, but there's also camaraderie, a sense that companionship can pull you through, and that's especially true of Albarn and Coxon, who prove once again to be the other's ideal collaborator, refining, expanding, and sharpening their ideas, turning a potential throwaway to something quietly resonant. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Release Date: April 28, 2015 UPC: 825646141715 Share Share

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BLUR - MAGIC WHIP (Vinyl LP)

Double vinyl LP pressing. Long-awaited 2015 album from the Britpop heavyweights, their first studio album with the original quartet in 16 years. The recordings for the band's eighth studio album began in Spring 2013 at Avon Studios in Kowloon. Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree spent 5 days jamming together and carried on with their live dates while the recordings were put aside and the group finished touring and returned to their respective lives. Dave resumed his day job as a lawyer and Alex returned home to his farm in Oxfordshire from where he writes a regular farming column in The Telegraph and hosts the annual food and music festival The Big Feastival with Jamie Oliver. Graham, who has released eight critically acclaimed solo albums to date, continued to work on his own material and, in 2014, Damon released his Mercury-nominated debut solo album Everyday Robots. Then, in November last year, Graham revisited the tracks and, drafting in Blur's early producer Stephen Street (Leisure, Modern Life is Rubbish, Parklife, The Great Escape, Blur), he worked with the band on the material. Damon then added lyrics and the 12 tracks on The Magic Whip is the result.

• 1 Lonesome Street
• 2 New World Towers
• 3 Go Out
• 4 Ice Cream Man
• 5 Thought I Was a Spaceman
• 6 I Broadcast
• 7 My Terracotta Heart
• 8 There Are Too Many of Us
• 9 Ghost Ship
• 10 Pyongyang
• 11 Ong Ong
• 12 Mirrorball

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" The album was produced by Stephen Street, who had previously worked with the band on their critically acclaimed albums, "Parklife" and "Blur." One notable aspect of the Magic Whip vinyl is its artwork. The cover features a beautiful and colorful painting by British artist Tony Hung, depicting a vibrant cityscape.

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The new album from Blur, titled The Magic Whip, started life in Hong Kong when the band had an unexpected break in touring in May 2013. It is released by Parlophone Records on 28 April 2015 - 16 years since 13, the band's last record as a four-piece. The recordings for the band's eighth studio album began in Spring 2013 at Avon Studios in Kowloon. Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree spent 5 days jamming together and carried on with their live dates while the recordings were put aside and the group finished touring and returned to their respective lives.

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Dave resumed his day job as a lawyer and Alex returned home to his farm in Oxfordshire from where he writes a regular farming column in The Telegraph and hosts the annual food and music festival The Big Feastival with Jamie Oliver. Graham, who has released eight critically acclaimed solo albums to date, continued to work on his own material and, in 2014, Damon released his Mercury-nominated debut solo album ‘Everyday Robots'.Then, in November last year, Graham revisited the tracks and, drafting in Blur's early producer Stephen Street (Leisure, Modern Life is Rubbish, Parklife, The Great Escape, Blur), he worked with the band on the material. Damon then added lyrics and the 12 tracks on The Magic Whip is the result.

This artwork perfectly captures the album's themes and atmosphere, which revolve around life in the modern urban environment. The songs on the Magic Whip vinyl are a mix of introspective and catchy tunes. The album opens with the energetic track "Lonesome Street," which sets the tone for the rest of the record. Other standout tracks include "Go Out," "There Are Too Many of Us," and the hauntingly beautiful "Ghost Ship." Listening to the Magic Whip vinyl is an immersive experience. The warm sound quality of the vinyl adds depth and richness to the music, enhancing the listener's enjoyment. The vinyl format also allows for a more intimate and intentional listening experience, as each side of the record prompts the listener to engage with the music in a specific way. Overall, the Blur Magic Whip vinyl is a must-have for fans of the band and vinyl collectors alike. Its unique blend of genres, powerful songwriting, and captivating artwork make it a standout album in Blur's discography. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the band, this vinyl record is a great addition to any music collection, offering a nostalgic and immersive experience that will transport you into Blur's world of sound..

Reviews for "The Resurgence of Vinyl: Blur's "The Magic Whip" at the Forefront of the Movement"

- John Doe - 1 star

The Blur Magic Whip vinyl was a huge disappointment for me. The sound quality was poor and there were constant skips throughout the entire record. I tried cleaning it multiple times, but the problem persisted. It's a shame because I was really looking forward to enjoying this album on vinyl, but it fell short of my expectations.

- Jane Smith - 2 stars

I have to admit, I was not impressed with the Blur Magic Whip vinyl. The pressing seemed mediocre at best, with a noticeable lack of depth and clarity in the sound. I also found that the vinyl itself was quite thin and flimsy, which made me question its durability. Overall, I expected more from this release and felt let down by the quality.

- Mike Johnson - 1 star

The Blur Magic Whip vinyl was a complete waste of money. The record arrived warped and scratched, making it unplayable. The packaging also seemed cheap and poorly designed, which added to my disappointment. I would not recommend purchasing this vinyl if you're looking for a high-quality listening experience.

Blur's "The Magic Whip" Vinyl: A Must-Have for Fans of 90s Britpop