13

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

13 was released on 15 March 1999 and is Blur's sixth album. It moves further away from Britpop, towards art rock and electronica, and is darker and more personal, strongly influenced by Damon Albarn's break-up with Justine Frischmann. Recording ran from June to October 1998 in London and Reykjavik. For the first time the album was produced not by Stephen Street but by William Orbit, whom the band chose after his remix of Movin' On.

The atmosphere in the studio was tense and members stayed away from the sessions. Orbit saw a struggle between Albarn's experimental direction and Graham Coxon's punk direction. Bugman sounds industrial and the album closes with Optigan I, made with an optical organ. It reached number 1 in England, produced three singles and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Reviews were largely favourable.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Tender7:41Apple Music ↗
2. 2Bugman4:48Apple Music ↗
3. 3Coffee & TV5:59Apple Music ↗
4. 4Swamp Song4:37Apple Music ↗
5. 519925:29Apple Music ↗
6. 6B.L.U.R.E.M.I.2:54Apple Music ↗
7. 7Battle7:42Apple Music ↗
8. 8Mellow Song3:57Apple Music ↗
9. 9Trailerpark4:26Apple Music ↗
10. 10Caramel7:39Apple Music ↗
11. 11Trimm Trabb5:38Apple Music ↗
12. 12No Distance Left to Run3:28Apple Music ↗
13. 13Optigan I2:34Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗