The Magic Whip
by Blur
  • Record Label: Elektra
  • Release Date: Apr 28, 2015
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 141 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 125 out of 141
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 141
  3. Negative: 3 out of 141
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. broface815
    Feb 17, 2016
    10
    Blur's comeback album is better then i thought possible it is full of catchy Brit-pop choruses and melodies the guitar work has the most dynamic playing of any blur album and this album a very interesting concept that may take a while to grasp songs like ''i broadcast'' take you to back to classic blur rock songs of the late 90's but the majority of the album is nothing like past blurBlur's comeback album is better then i thought possible it is full of catchy Brit-pop choruses and melodies the guitar work has the most dynamic playing of any blur album and this album a very interesting concept that may take a while to grasp songs like ''i broadcast'' take you to back to classic blur rock songs of the late 90's but the majority of the album is nothing like past blur albums and has a slow tempo that takes you though mesmerizing sounds that takes you down a usually happy cotton candy ice cream place and yet it seems depressing the piano is the driving force of this album. this album is like walking slowly in a city that you never thought you could possibly imagine but it's real and authentic.… Expand
  2. Samper
    Dec 10, 2015
    8
    Even though I'm not a long time Blur fan, I've been a fan of Damon's work on Gorillaz fora very long time, and I have to say I was very satisfied with this album, which not only met my expectations, but went beyond it. Great production, very interesting use of synths, and some very catchy tunes. I'm definitely interested in Blur's content now.
  3. Ricko
    Oct 31, 2015
    8
    "The Magic Whip" is surprising on a number of levels. First, the fact that it arrived at all, in 2015, 12 years after Blur's last effort which caused a schism in the band. Secondly, and this is less of a surprise, is how good it is. "The Magic Whip" is arguably Blur's most consistent record played through from start to finish. While they undoubtedly have better songs scattered throughout"The Magic Whip" is surprising on a number of levels. First, the fact that it arrived at all, in 2015, 12 years after Blur's last effort which caused a schism in the band. Secondly, and this is less of a surprise, is how good it is. "The Magic Whip" is arguably Blur's most consistent record played through from start to finish. While they undoubtedly have better songs scattered throughout their back catalog, and have a couple of albums that shade this overall, I don't think any of their previous work has started on such a strong note and proceeded to maintain that level without a single dip in form. Opener "Lonesome Street" parties like its 1997 again - on the surface a throwback to the heady days of the height of Britpop but underneath it is a meld of Blur at their most melodic and experimental. "Go Out" is a similar affair, akin to the material off their eponymous 5th album. These tracks, along with "Ghost Ship" and "Ong Ong" are the standout tracks for me. These are a surrounded by songs that sit near the experimental/art circle but all the time maintaining a pop aspect in terms of melody - a feat that the likes of Radiohead have found increasingly difficult to achieve. Blur in 2015 are most welcome, sounding as vibrant as they did at the peak of their commercial powers. That might even be a bit unfair, "The Magic Whip" could be seen as another peak, a second coming of sorts rather than.… Expand
  4. funkydoodycool
    Jul 14, 2015
    10
    Instantly fell in love with the album. When I first heard Go Out it took some time for the song to sink in, a few listens and I started to get it. Then I got the album, and it was an instant hit for me. I even went out today and bought it on CD (previously had the vinyl) just so I can listen to it more easily without changing sides while I'm working, and rip it for my iPhone. ThereInstantly fell in love with the album. When I first heard Go Out it took some time for the song to sink in, a few listens and I started to get it. Then I got the album, and it was an instant hit for me. I even went out today and bought it on CD (previously had the vinyl) just so I can listen to it more easily without changing sides while I'm working, and rip it for my iPhone. There isn't a duff song on here.… Expand
  5. Cdawginit
    Jun 22, 2015
    8
    As I see it, 'The Magic Whip' is every bit more the spiritual sucessor to 1999's '13' than the Coxon'less 2003's 'Think Tank' and it is a return to top form for a band who in their last album were lacking some of the drive they had developed in their previous works.
  6. WolfLambert
    Jun 16, 2015
    9
    Admittedly, I haven’t really been into Blur until sometime last summer, after being a fan of Damon Albarn’s solo stuff. It obviously seemed like they wouldn’t make any more studio records then and that lessened their appeal. Still, I went on to listen through Blur and Modern Life is Rubbish and I loved those. Which means I was quite excited for this album. “Go Out” is a serious banger of aAdmittedly, I haven’t really been into Blur until sometime last summer, after being a fan of Damon Albarn’s solo stuff. It obviously seemed like they wouldn’t make any more studio records then and that lessened their appeal. Still, I went on to listen through Blur and Modern Life is Rubbish and I loved those. Which means I was quite excited for this album. “Go Out” is a serious banger of a track, and “There Are Too Many of Us” and “Lonesome Street” are both really good leadoffs. So I went to check it out on its release date, and man, I was impressed to say the least. From the bangers like “Lonesome Street”, “Go Out”, “I Broadcast” and “Ghost Ship” to the quieter ones like “Thought I Was a Spaceman” and “My Terracotta Heart”, this album manages to rule in every aspect. Blur still have everything in them, clearly.… Expand
  7. ElroyRosenberg
    Jun 13, 2015
    4
    I found quite a lot of this album very dull and lazy. The style-less strumming and wailing "la la la" vocals on "Ong Ong" is a pretty good indication of what I thought about a lot of this album. There are some neat melodies and harmonies to be found, but they're hidden amidst a lot of average music. But hey, "Pyongyang" is one of the best tracks I've heard in a long, long time, so at leastI found quite a lot of this album very dull and lazy. The style-less strumming and wailing "la la la" vocals on "Ong Ong" is a pretty good indication of what I thought about a lot of this album. There are some neat melodies and harmonies to be found, but they're hidden amidst a lot of average music. But hey, "Pyongyang" is one of the best tracks I've heard in a long, long time, so at least I'm glad I listened to The Magic Whip.… Expand
  8. lingy45
    Jun 11, 2015
    8
    A rather altered and unique sound, many electronic elements compared to previous albums but this is a very likeable album. Gets better with every listen, and it's hard to compare to many other artists. Well done Blur.
  9. juanmises2015
    Jun 2, 2015
    9
    The album is very different from anything seen so far by Blur, is a mixture of ambient rock with electronic sounds in combination with band instruments. A magnificent work well for a band modernist '90s that were one of the main pioneers of Britpop.
  10. Custom_Concerns
    May 19, 2015
    7
    Blur's new record features sounds and melodies that do not resonate with me personally in the same way their previous work has, but it is undeniably a strong comeback record with some fantastic highlights.
  11. DLCV
    May 7, 2015
    10
    A great comebeack of the band!! My favorites of the album is Mirrorball, Go Out and Thought I Was A Spaceman. Maybe the the best album of the band, yes, i believe in this!!
  12. Reedly
    May 4, 2015
    10
    It took me a few listens before the obvious tracks really kicked in but I'm glad I had some patience. The album slowly revealed itself to be a cohesive, modern day take on their entire career. It definitely isn't as gloriously bombastic as some of early work however, this release is its own beast and is brilliant because of it. I've had a few friends who are fans say they don't like itIt took me a few listens before the obvious tracks really kicked in but I'm glad I had some patience. The album slowly revealed itself to be a cohesive, modern day take on their entire career. It definitely isn't as gloriously bombastic as some of early work however, this release is its own beast and is brilliant because of it. I've had a few friends who are fans say they don't like it as a whole yet both gave up after the first run through. If given time this album could win over any longtime fan.… Expand
  13. StolenDance
    May 3, 2015
    10
    The band's first album in 12 years almost made me cry, not just because the wait, also because I still feel the old, 'vintage' Blur on the album.
    A triumphant comeback, anything else to say.
  14. vilnius1323
    Apr 29, 2015
    10
    Some song sounds like it would be old good Blur from 90's, some like from last year Damon Albarn album "Everyday Robots", but still it is amazing come back of the Blur with a new album after more than ten years of span.
  15. esgiii
    Apr 29, 2015
    10
    Blur has never sounded more confident. Sprawling with ideas, The Magic Whip reveals a band at peace with its past and assured of the present. With vocoders, eerie synths, ambient dub sounds, and a sleek urban malaise, Blur confronts the almost insurmountable obstacle of adding to its own legacy with a record of depth and intrigue. The Magic Whip incorporates swatches of Low-era Bowie, nodsBlur has never sounded more confident. Sprawling with ideas, The Magic Whip reveals a band at peace with its past and assured of the present. With vocoders, eerie synths, ambient dub sounds, and a sleek urban malaise, Blur confronts the almost insurmountable obstacle of adding to its own legacy with a record of depth and intrigue. The Magic Whip incorporates swatches of Low-era Bowie, nods to its own past, and a healthy dose of Syd Barrett's pop wonder along with Damon Albarn's inimitable sense of melody. Despite how sparse his playing is, this is Graham Coxon's record. He teed the music up for Albarn to carry triumphantly across the finish line. The result is easily one of the band's finest. Though, it isn't buoyed by the zeitgeist of the Britpop era, The Magic Whip is a smart, challenging, forward-thinking album by a band never really given its proper due as unabated pop experimentalists. Perhaps, that will change now.… Expand
  16. exodus9237
    Apr 28, 2015
    7
    It is simply a very strong comeback, I liked all the songs because they're exactly what we were expecting, with a new approach and a new vibe in the band. Great album.
  17. davim
    Apr 28, 2015
    9
    Its been 12 years, but in February 2015 Blur finally announced a long awaited new album; the group's first album since their 2003 effort 'Think Tank’. ’Think Tank' saw a much more experimental and electronic sound to Blur's music, minus the distinctive guitars of Graham Coxon, who was only present on one song on the album. Damon Albarn took care of all the guitar parts, and despite theIts been 12 years, but in February 2015 Blur finally announced a long awaited new album; the group's first album since their 2003 effort 'Think Tank’. ’Think Tank' saw a much more experimental and electronic sound to Blur's music, minus the distinctive guitars of Graham Coxon, who was only present on one song on the album. Damon Albarn took care of all the guitar parts, and despite the fact ‘Think Tank’ attracted worldwide critical and commercial acclaim, the absence of Coxon’s distinctive guitar style was rather difficult to ignore.

    'The Magic Whip’, recorded by classic Blur producer Stephen Street sees a triumphant return to the Blur of the 90’s and their britpop/alternative rock roots. Press play on the majestic opening track ‘Lonesome Street’ and the combination of Graham Coxon’s jangly guitar sounds and Damon’s witty, yet intelligent lyrics are back “what do you got? mass produced in somewhere hot”. A song that sets the tone for the album perfectly. After that is a collection of songs that just about covers the sound of every Blur album of the 90’s. Songs such as ‘New World Towers’ and ‘Thought I Was a Spaceman’ are similar to the studio jams that formed ’13’, other songs could’ve been taken directly from Parklife, such as the lead single ‘Go Out’. One song in particular ‘I Broadcast’ reminded me of songs like ‘M.O.R’ and ‘Song 2’ from the self-titled 1997 album, with overdriven guitars and raw energy.

    The standout track however, is definitely ‘Pyongyang’, identified by drummer Dave Rowntree as his favourite track on the album. It typifies everything that’s so great about Blur; beautiful instrumentation, possessing a somewhat gloomy and mysterious feel. Just what we've missed about this band in the last 12 years. A triumphant return for Britpop’s old boys. There’s still life in them yet!    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed Album of 2015
79
#79 Most Shared Album of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Jul 30, 2015
    67
    As with 13 and Think Tank, noodling ensues ("Thought I Was a Spaceman") and melodies never dry fully ("My Terracotta Heart"), but that works both ways when "There Are Too Many of Us" marches into deep-cut territory through space and strings.
    Read full review
  2. Magnet
    Jun 4, 2015
    85
    It can proudly stand alongside anything else the band has done. [No. 120, p.52]
  3. No Ripcord
    May 11, 2015
    70
    Even with its faults, The Magic Whip is remarkably cohesive; not a single track is superfluous, flippant, or jarring.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »