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13 Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 85 Ratings

  • Summary: Damon Albarn's breakup album (he split with his longtime girlfriend, Elastica's Justine Frischmann, prior to recording) was produced by William Orbit and features the singles "Tender" and "Coffee & TV" (although it failed to produce an American hit along the likes of the previous album's "Song 2").

Top Track

God Is Dead
Lost in the darkness I fade from the light Faith of my father, my brother, my maker and savior Help me make it through the night Blood on my... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Blur have finally found a sound to match their name.
  2. 13 is the first Blur record that requires multiple listenings for it to really sink in.
  3. With patience, 13 reveals itself as sort of a poor man's OK Computer, only instead of Radiohead's airborne sonic journey through the future, Blur investigates the murk of its inner-city swamps.
  4. A dense, fascinating, idiosyncratic and accomplished art rock album.
  5. 70
    A shitty Blur album is still better than a lot of bands' best efforts.
  6. If Blur was a tentative step away from the pop past, 13 is a suicidal leap - the little girls are not coming back after they hear this.
  7. Little gems are overwhelmed by sprawling jam tracks that, well, blur into each other.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Mar 27, 2019
    10
    A beautiful, heartbreaking, strange, yet ever so endearing masterpiece of it's kind. Definitely the peak of Albarn and Coxon's musicianship,A beautiful, heartbreaking, strange, yet ever so endearing masterpiece of it's kind. Definitely the peak of Albarn and Coxon's musicianship, as well as the peak of their emotional toxicity, giving this album a strong sense of a bitter heart beaming with tons of passion and despondency. Expand
  2. PabloL
    Jun 13, 2009
    10
    I'm surprised people didn't rate this higher. I love this album a lot!
  3. Aug 9, 2012
    10
    Brilliant album, I ignored Blur, but heard how good 13 was supposed to be, and it was love at the first listen. One of the most tender albumsBrilliant album, I ignored Blur, but heard how good 13 was supposed to be, and it was love at the first listen. One of the most tender albums I've heard, though Trailer Park is a weak track. Expand
  4. Joris
    Dec 10, 2004
    8
    Caramel is probably one of their most beautiful songs (next to Out Of Time), this record is an emotional masterpiece about breaking-up with Caramel is probably one of their most beautiful songs (next to Out Of Time), this record is an emotional masterpiece about breaking-up with your love. Optigan 1, Bugman, Trimm Trabb, Trailerpark... Great Stuff! Expand
  5. j30
    Dec 7, 2011
    8
    The artistic 13 is blur's most ambitious album to date. Despite 13's flaws, it's hard not to recommend this record when there's so much soulThe artistic 13 is blur's most ambitious album to date. Despite 13's flaws, it's hard not to recommend this record when there's so much soul and risk involved. Expand
  6. Sep 20, 2014
    8
    Arguably the band's most consistent and best album. The predecessor to 13, Blur's eponymous 5th album saw the band begin to move away fromArguably the band's most consistent and best album. The predecessor to 13, Blur's eponymous 5th album saw the band begin to move away from their Britpop roots and while it was still unmistakably Blur in parts, the band showed some serious vision and creativity and best of all Albarn began to lose his cockney accent on the songs. 13 shows progress from the good work done on "Blur" and opens with probably my favourite Blur track, the soothing, gospel influenced "Tender". One of the best songs of the 90s hands down and Blur's boldest single to date. The other big singles from this record "Coffee & TV" and "No Distance Left To Run" have Graham Coxon's mark all over them and gives us a glimpse of how good he can be when he's focused. More often than on any other Blur record things seem to come together just right on 13, they get the blend of experimentation and melody bang on and the production fits the record like a glove. Like all Blur albums for me, there are a couple too many average album tracks that prevent it from being a set in stone classic album but it's one worth checking out for sure. One of the better records of the later 90's and one that could convert those who don't think they like Blur. Expand
  7. PaulT
    Jun 13, 2004
    0
    What a Bore

See all 20 User Reviews