Think Tank (album)

Blur's 2003 album Think Tank was a major musical change for the group. Instead of the catchy pop tunes of their early career or the alternative rock they made late 90s, Think Tank is filled with brooding, atmospheric, heavy electronic sounds.

The album was recorded after the band split from drunken guitarist Graham Coxon. Hence, it features almost no guitar whatsoever, relying on other instruments to fill the void. Also because of this, the album is almost entirely the work of lead singer Damon Albarn. Oddly, it was recorded in Morroco with Fatboy Slim contributing to two tracks.

The album opens with the brilliant "Albulance," a song which continues to add instruments until its melody is made up of an entire orchestra.

"Out of Time," the lead single from the album follows. A bass-driven ballad with minimal drums and only acoustic guitar, it proves to be a haunting piece of music.

After this, the album gets weird. The third song, "Crazy Beat," which was a minor hit in both the US and UK, contains the nonsense lyrics and catchy guitar riffs reminiscent of "Song 2."

"Good Song" is a pleasant piece of music which sees Damon sounding like Bono at the end. "On the Way to the Club" and "Brothers and Sisters" are funky electronic pieces that one can really grow to like.

"Caravan" is bleak and barren. "We've Got a File on You" is a fun piece that again brings up thoughts of "Song 2," while "Moroccan Peoples Revolutionary Bowls Club" and "Gene by Gene" are fun and poppy songs. "Jets" is an artsy and bassy work, and "Sweet Song" and "Battery in Your Leg" are bittersweet ballads which are actually quite good.