The Magic Whip turns out to be a triumphant comeback that retains the band's core identity while allowing ideas they'd fermented separately over the past decade to infuse their sound with mature and peculiar new flavour combinations.
The Magic Whip continues along the weird and winding path first trod by Blur’s two previous, and most complex, LPs. More often than not, the album meanders, usually for the better.
Musically, they don’t sound like a band taking a final curtain call. They sound like a band filled with ideas and potential new directions, who have plenty left to do together, if they choose.
For longtime fans of Blur’s alluring blend of pop smarts, rock edge, and electronic flourishes, The Magic Whip is close to a slam dunk, as the quartet conjures the vibe of its ’90s glory days without veering into rehash territory, making it a good ambassador for potential new listeners as well.
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 toInstantly 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
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.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, 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
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 beIt 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
Admittedly, I haven’t really been into Blur until sometime last summer, after being a fan of Damon Albarn’s solo stuff. It obviously seemedAdmittedly, 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
"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"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
A rather altered and unique sound, many electronic elements compared to previous albums but this is a very likeable album. Gets better withA 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.…Expand
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 goodI 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
