Name: Modern Life Is Rubbish by Blur
Brand: Blur
SKU: 5099997262657
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4.5 (98 reviews)

ALBUM

As a response to the dominance of grunge in the U.K. and their own decreasing profile in their homeland -- and also as a response to Suede's sudden popularity -- Blur reinvented themselves with their second album, Modern Life Is Rubbish, abandoning the shoegazing and baggy influences that dominated Leisure for traditional pop. On the surface, Modern Life may appear to be an homage to the Kinks, David Bowie, the Beatles, and Syd Barrett, yet it isn't a restatement, it's a revitalization. Blur use British guitar pop from the Beatles to My Bloody Valentine as a foundation, spinning off tales of contemporary despair. If Damon Albarn weren't such a clever songwriter, both lyrically and melodically, Modern Life could have sunk under its own pretensions, and the latter half does drag slightly. However, the record teems with life, since Blur refuse to treat their classicist songs as museum pieces. Graham Coxon's guitar tears each song open, either with unpredictable melodic lines or layers of translucent, hypnotic effects, and his work creates great tension with Alex James' kinetic bass. And that provides Albarn a vibrant background for his social satires and cutting commentary. But the reason Modern Life Is Rubbish is such a dynamic record and ushered in a new era of British pop is that nearly every song is carefully constructed and boasts a killer melody, from the stately "For Tomorrow" and the punky "Advert" to the vaudeville stomp of "Sunday Sunday" and the neo-psychedelic "Chemical World." Even with its flaws, it's a record of considerable vision and excitement. [Most American versions of Modern Life Is Rubbish substitute the demo version of "Chemical World" for the studio version on the British edition. They also add the superb single "Pop Scene" before the final song, "Resigned."]
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo

1. For Tomorrow (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James
Damon Albarn; Composer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bells: Damon Albarn; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccready; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Timpani: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe
Helen Kamminga; Performer
Violin: Louisa Fuller
Rick Koster
Louise Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production
String Quartet: The Duke String Quartet; Ensemble
Producer: Stephen Street; Production

2. Advert (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Background Vocals: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Composer: Alex James
Dave Rowntree
Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Composer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree
Stephen Street; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Handclapping: Stephen Street; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Keyboard: Damon Albarn; Performer
Percussion: Stephen Street; Performer
Tambourine: Graham Coxon; Performer
Vocals: Damon Albarn; Performer
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production
Miscellaneous: Damon Albarn; Other
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production

3. Colin Zeal (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Handclapping: Dave Rowntree
Alex James; Performer
Synthesizer: Stephen Street; Performer
Tambourine: Graham Coxon; Performer
Vocals: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Alex James
Dave Rowntree
Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Composer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production
Miscellaneous: Damon Albarn; Other

4. Pressure on Julian (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Handclapping: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Samples: Stephen Street; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Alex James
Dave Rowntree
Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Composer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production
Miscellaneous: Graham Coxon; Other

5. Star Shaped (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Composer: Alex James
Dave Rowntree
Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Composer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bells: Stephen Street; Performer
Cor Anglais: Kate St John; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Moog Synthesizer: Graham Coxon; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Oboe: Kate St John; Performer
Soprano Saxophone: Kate St John; Performer
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production
Synthesizer: Stephen Street; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer

6. Blue Jeans (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Loops: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Melodica: Damon Albarn; Performer
Musician: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Vocals: Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Performer
Composer: Alex James
Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Composer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

7. Chemical World (Including 'Intermission') [2012 Remaster]

by Blur

Acoustic Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Vocals: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Damon Albarn
Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James; Composer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production

8. Sunday Sunday (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Composer: Alex James
Dave Rowntree
Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Composer
Background Vocals: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Baritone: Simon Clarke; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cornet: Paul Spong; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Lead Vocals: Damon Albarn; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Mixing: Simon Weinstock; Production
Musician: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Producer: Steve Lovell; Production
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Saxophone: Simon Clarke; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: Tim Sanders; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production

9. Oily Water (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Background Vocals: Graham Coxon; Performer
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Bass: Alex James; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Musician: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon
Alex James
Dave Rowntree; Composer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Mixing: Stephen Street; Production
Producer: Blur
John Smith; Production
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production
Miscellaneous: Damon Albarn; Other

10. Miss America (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Acoustic Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Lead Vocals: Damon Albarn; Performer
Noise: Graham Coxon; Performer
Percussion: Graham Coxon; Performer
Composer: Damon Albarn
Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James; Composer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Producer: Blur
John Smith; Production
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production
Miscellaneous: Dave Rowntree; Other

11. Villa Rosie (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Keyboard: Damon Albarn; Performer
Vocals: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Damon Albarn
Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James; Composer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Mixing: Simon Weinstock; Production
Producer: Steve Lovell; Production
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

12. Coping (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Composer: Alex James
Dave Rowntree
Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Background Vocals: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Lead Vocals: Damon Albarn; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Loops: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Moog Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Musician: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Tambourine: Graham Coxon; Performer

13. Turn It Up (2012 Remaster)

by Blur

Acoustic Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Composer: Damon Albarn
Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James; Composer
Background Vocals: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Handclapping: Stephen Street; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Lead Vocals: Damon Albarn; Performer
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production
Tambourine: Graham Coxon; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Triangle: Graham Coxon; Performer

14. Resigned (Including 'Commercial Break') [2012 Remaster]

by Blur

Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Lead Vocals: Damon Albarn; Performer
Melodica: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Damon Albarn
Alex James
Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon; Composer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Producer: Blur
John Smith; Production
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

14 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

59 minutes and 0 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1000x1000 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

12/14 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Brit Pop, Brit Rock

Label

Parlophone UK

Music Distribution Service

WMG Mora

Country

United Kingdom

Language

No language found

Popularity

Release Date

May 9, 1993

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

5099997262657

Shopping cart

Notification

Modern Life Is Rubbish

1. For Tomorrow (2012 Remaster)

2. Advert (2012 Remaster)

3. Colin Zeal (2012 Remaster)

4. Pressure on Julian (2012 Remaster)

5. Star Shaped (2012 Remaster)

6. Blue Jeans (2012 Remaster)

7. Chemical World (Including 'Intermission') [2012 Remaster]

8. Sunday Sunday (2012 Remaster)

9. Oily Water (2012 Remaster)

10. Miss America (2012 Remaster)

11. Villa Rosie (2012 Remaster)

12. Coping (2012 Remaster)

13. Turn It Up (2012 Remaster)

14. Resigned (Including 'Commercial Break') [2012 Remaster]

Technical Specifications

Modern Life Is Rubbish

Product information

Release options

1. For Tomorrow (2012 Remaster)

2. Advert (2012 Remaster)

3. Colin Zeal (2012 Remaster)

4. Pressure on Julian (2012 Remaster)

5. Star Shaped (2012 Remaster)

6. Blue Jeans (2012 Remaster)

7. Chemical World (Including 'Intermission') [2012 Remaster]

8. Sunday Sunday (2012 Remaster)

9. Oily Water (2012 Remaster)

10. Miss America (2012 Remaster)

11. Villa Rosie (2012 Remaster)

12. Coping (2012 Remaster)

13. Turn It Up (2012 Remaster)

14. Resigned (Including 'Commercial Break') [2012 Remaster]

Technical Specifications