(Vinyl Love is a series of posts that quite simply lists, describes, and displays the pieces in my growing vinyl collection. You can bet that each record was given a spin during the drafting of each corresponding post.)
Artist: Blur
Album Title: 13
Year released: 1999
Year reissued: 2012
Details: 6 of 7 in Blur 21, anniversary box set, black vinyl, 180 gram, 2 x LP, Gatefold sleeve
The skinny: Having written a #1 hit pop song, Damon Albarn and friends seemingly decided to run as far as they could in the other direction, deep into art rock territory, verging on the esoteric. Not the easiest listen at times, but there is something oddly beautiful about Blur’s 6th album and Damon’s heartbreak is almost palpable thoughout.
Standout track: “Tender”
My (life in) music lists 
12 replies on “Vinyl love: Blur “13””
Tender would be my standout her too, fabulous unconventional opener!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll never forget the first time I heard it on the radio. My honest first impression was: WTF? But after a couple more listens, it made a whole lot more sense.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I wouldn’t mind having a copy of this one in the collection. I really loved this one when it came out, though it was mainly cause I loved Tender. What a song.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tender was definitely the gateway for this album but there are some other really great tracks too, like Trimm Trabb, Coffee and TV, and of course, No distance left to run.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally agree, Coffee and TV gets a lot of airplay still, but I still like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah. I don’t know that it ever got airplay here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It got a lot here. A lot. Like, an awfy lot.
LikeLike
I loved Tender but was less keen on the rest, as far as I can remember.
LikeLike
“No Distance Left To Run” is the killer song on this album for me. I know not many will pick it as the best, but the words Damon wrote about his breakup with Justine are just so raw.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a phenomenal track. I wavered between this and Tender and almost put both but went with Tender because it was the first one I heard. Raw is the perfect adjective here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get that. “Tender” has a great sing along melody and was perfect to promote the album. I wondered if “Think Tank” is the next one up?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. You know? It is.
LikeLiked by 1 person