User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 23 out of 27
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Mixed: 1 out of 27
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Negative: 3 out of 27
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The Ballad of DarrenYour Score0 out of 10User ScoreGenerally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings
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Aug 10, 2023I'd say this is Blur's worst album but it sounds more like another dreary Damon Albarn vanity project. hard to believe the others signed up to this rubbish.
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Aug 5, 2023
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Jul 22, 2023Blur’s worst album by a country mile and The Magic Whip was underwhelming.
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Jul 21, 2023The lenght could be longer, but what it shows us is perfection! Blur is back and hope that is not their last attempt!
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Jul 22, 2023A great album. The only issue I have with it is that it sounds too much like a Damon Albarn solo project. At several points it doesn't even sound like Graham's guitar except for the song The Rabbi which I would recommend listening to if you have the chance. Overall every song on this album is great, some are definitely better than others though.
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Jul 22, 2023Great album. Only Parklife and the magnificent 13 are better. 10 gorgeous, well-written songs.
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Jul 22, 2023This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Jul 26, 2023A nice return to form. The deluxe version is closer to an 8. The best tracks are definitely Ballad, Narcissist, and St.Charles Square.
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Jul 24, 2023The more I listen to it the more I adore it, which is the sign of a great LP. Could even be my second favourite Blur album (after '13' obviously). Also The Narcissist is probably the greatest Blur single ever. That song is ace.
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Jul 27, 2023The album is amazing. Melody and lyrics. So heartfelt. Is true that the tone of the album is so different from other Blur albums and if you don't like melancholic and sad albums , this album won't be for you. But is so beautiful , is for listening when you are in a certain mood.
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Aug 3, 2023Their best album, without question.
I've not posted a review here before, but had to sign up and post one for this album. It's THAT good. -
Sep 3, 2023The only album that really speaks to me. I’ve never felt so connected to an album before. It isn’t my favourite blur album, but still a 9/10.
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Aug 25, 2023
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Aug 5, 2023I wish we could see more of this Damon, beautiful sound, every ballad has their unique style, a mature Damon in every way, great lyrics, atmospheric is well achieved.
Awards & Rankings
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Jul 24, 2023The songs on The Ballad of Darren are measured and contained. In fact, the calm gravitas which pervades the record occasionally plods. Perhaps it’s a meta-commentary on the album’s subject matter, or, perhaps, it’s just hard to make new music for 30 years straight. Yet, there is a relief that is interspersed amid the LP’s gloom that arrives on more high-spirited, familiar tracks that are reminiscent of the group at their spiky-haired zenith.
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Jul 24, 2023Yes, The Ballad of Darren is Dad Rock. Fairly enjoyable Dad Rock, true, and still a record hundreds of bands can only dream of making, but one that would likely fall by the wayside if anyone else had made it. Is this bad? Not really, and if anything, it proves that Blur can transition gracefully into old age.
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Jul 24, 2023[The Ballad Of Darren] finds late-life Blur on eloquent, emotional form. It’s an album that often looks back, while summoning textures and nuances that only add to their toolkit.