Hi everyone,
We have recently reached about 41 comics on the website.
Here is my explanation of them as a set
There are a variation of comics. Ones that have stupid jokes, one that have kind of clever jokes, ones that are mostly for character development but hopefully make people smile and ones that people may just not like.
I think it needs that. Because clever and stupid are the ones that sell but character develop are the ones that keep the fans if there are any reading.
I used the school camp series of comics to explore the characters personalities with various different situations a kid may experience at camp. Cooking, making and sleeping in a tent, camp fires and other activities.
It was also a way to bring in a long running theme. All of the other comics have been one off jokes. I love the one off formula because it gives us a lot of freedom thinking of ideas (My co-thinker Lana Cohen brings a lot of the comic ideas in).
But the theme kept some on going situation/ continuity. This was in their clothes (school uniform with leaf camp logo) and their environment (the wilderness, nature).
It is difficult to portray a story in 4 panel jokes that I like to be quite funny, and a good development for the characters but it will be nice to work on what is coming next. Whether that be one offs or themes.
On that note, the comic will be taking a short break while I work on some other life projects, like council work and possibly a short animation.
I will still be planning comics, just not producing them just yet. But this normally means you will get a lot at some point!
I am also looking into releasing it as a book, I may send word out to publishers but not getting my hopes up.
You an listen to these tracks (Apart from 2 Bsides) on Spotify here '♫ Crumb Top 20 Blur tracks http://spoti.fi/L7WJcw
In celebration of Blur releasing 2 new tracks for their fans to listen to in their ears we've decided to do a top 20 list. There will be detailed -> vague descriptions of why they have been chosen.
Of course there will be songs that don't make the list due to the fact that I'm only allowed 20! But whatever, let's do this thing.
Below the list are songs I could not fit into the 20.
20.
The Puritan. Album: Under the Westway
I had to put this on the list because I am very much enjoying it, on repeat. But not had enough time to quite work out where it might be in the list. This song is energetic and shows poetic, developed lyrics (Like Westway) but to an electric jumping pop song, something to lighten the mood. It shows a lot of the work Damon and Graham have been doing over the years all piled into an excellent track.
19.
Wear me Down Album: Leisure
This song just has a great flow. It plays both a relaxed sound throughout, and a fantastic chorus. It is just one of those easy listeners with a memorable chorus. 'You, You wear me down, my defences are gone now." It also has some very nice guitar sounds.
18.
It Could be You Album: The Great Escape
At this point Blur knew what pop they were making. They knew the hooks, an example of this is 'Country House'. It Could be You has the catchy tunes, friendly vocals and just a great listen. Another one with an amazing chorus, and an amazing album.
17.
Colin Zeal Album: Modern Life is Rubbish
I think I love this song mainly for the guitar, it is just excellent throughout. 'He's pleased with himself, he's pleased with himself, ah hah!'. Blur started finding their own direction and this song, clearly about a character was a part of this beginning.
16.
Sing Album: Leisure
I have to be honest here, this song really only became one of my favourites because of it's usage in the documentary 'No Distance left to Run'. It originally missed my radar while listening to Leisure, then seeing it used in such emotional scenes, it became a very beautiful song in my eyes. You will love it.
15.
Star Shaped Album: Modern Life is Rubbish
This song once again shows how well the band work together, so many things click together so well and create a full on rock/pop track.
14.
Beetlebum Album: Blur
As they restarted themselves in more of a grungy rock type direction Beetlebum was a great success. It sounds quite simple, but you'll never hear anything like it. It clearly shows a difference in sound, but a similarity, the same 'Modern Life is Rubbish' band advancing into a new direction. A good one.
13.
Trouble in the Message Centre Album: Parklife
This song is brilliant! When you begin to listen to it, you don't know what to expect, then BOOM! It gets into it. This is a great simple rock/pop song. Everything sounds great in this song. The vocals sound like they are spoken and there are some crazy effects on the guitars like an epic children's television title sequence. Not sure how to explain that. The drums are basic but oh so important. "In so much trouble" Just to top it off they bring in the la la la's and you know you've got a good track.
12.
Money makes me Crazy (Marrackech Mix) Album: Out of Time
Here is a song you may not have expected in this list. I'm not sure why, but it seems to be a less appreciated song. Maybe it is because it is so catchy. This song came out as a bside to the single, Out of Time. It is brilliantly catchy and goes back to Blur's old pop days (Before they started exploring other sounds and moods).
I suppose it was also a bit like the 'Under the Westway' release. An emotional song piece 'Out of Time' with a jumpy pop song to sit with it and enjoy.
11.
Badhead Album: Parklife
WWWOOOOOOOOOW
This has a lovely tune and lovely lyrics. A highlight from the Parklife album. Have a listen. Though I never had a badhead in the morning so I can't relate to that..
10.
Charmless Man Album: The Great Escape
I'm not sure whether it is the song or the video I love the most.... The video is hilarious, how stupid they take it with the beating up of Blur, the amazing Damon spring legs or the connecting story at the end?
Hey the song is brilliant as well, else it would not be on this list. It is up there with 'It could be you', knowledge of what catches and what sounds brilliant. It is also one of the only songs I knew the words to as a kid. ENJOY THE VIDEO
9.
This is a Low Album: Parklife
Here is a song that seems to get better with age! Blur recently performed it at the Brits and it sounded brilliant. An old but classic, emotional track.
8.
Strange News from Another Star Album: Blur
This song, like 'He thought of Cars' seems to be like hidden gems. They are not Bsides, but without being singles, they remained brilliant and quiet sitting on their albums. This one is very spacey, but also very sad sounding. Don't cry, it is only a bunch of aliens. It also has some fantastic little electronic sounds in there.
7.
Caramel Album: 13
I wish I could have fit more 13 tracks on here, it is a fantastic album. Bugman is another highlight from this album, as well as Trailerpark, Trimm Trabb and the obvious Coffee and Tv. For me though, Caramel is just CHILLING. It will chill you, everything about this track is chilling. I'm not sure whether it is a musical response to their emotions at this time in their career. It is dark, but also a refreshing sound for the once poppy chaps, like the whole album. This song will make you feel lonely, and possibly make you think that you smell burnt caramel, that might just be me. 'Gotta find genius'.
6.
He thought of Cars Album: The Great Escape
I actually think, a live play out of this in 2012 by Damon and Graham at WarChild sounded better than the original. But that does not stop this being an amazing song. I don't know whether to laugh and say 'haha they mentioned cars' or think about a darker side to the lyrics? It has to be one of the best Blur songs ever, and that is why it is up near the top!
5.
Under the Westway Album: Under the Westway
Wow are we here already? That was quick! So this is one of the songs they released last week. How did it make its way all the way up to 5? That is crazy! So at some point in between the 2009 reunion and opera, Dr Dee, Damon Albarn had an epiphany. This epiphany inspired him to go back to his past, love his past and write about his country. (Because Dr Dee was about about England and stuff) So Damon wrote some lyrics, some very poetic lyrics. Their first 2012 'comeback' song was named ' Under the Westway ' and sends every Blur fan into a tearful journey. To hear their favourite band playing a new, full emotional tune makes their heads explode. Then 'The Puritan' just topped it off. So anyway, with brilliant lyrics, a beautiful, possibly simple piano tune and some excellent support from the band (echoey epic drums), 'Under the Westway' sounds great.
4.
The Universal Album: The Great Escape
I'm not a musician but could this be one their most well written songs? Someone get back to me on that. This song is beautiful and memorable, and on the British Gas adverts. That's probably what else helped Damon's epiphany, he was like "My song is on a 'British' Gas advert... which means I should write about Britain.. what else is in Britain?.. oh yeah! My band!" This song, like 'This is a Low' showed they were happy to do more slow, less poppy tracks. But I'd happilly play this song if the world was ending.
EPIC OR WAT
3.
Theme from an Imaginary Film Album: Parklife (Single)
This track, I feel is another 'The Universal' but a bit more pantomime. It's lyrics are perfect for the title, it is just an amazing sound. No idea why this was not an Album track. The music and vocals are all SuperP
2.
Out of Time Album: Think Tank
This has to be here, this is my favourite Blur song. I discovered Blur when the Best of came out and went backwards. So when the first Blur single came out for their next album I was the first to buy it... Out of Time is an amazing track. The bass and drums are relaxing and driving. The guitar is going all over the place with fantastic little plucks or whatever ya call it. The lyrics are perfect. I know you were not there Graham, but I'm sure it was inspired by ya. Lovely song. All of the Banksy art helped as well.. oh yeah and apparently the sound clip at the beginning is from Doctor Who..
1.
For Tomorrow Album: Modern Life is Rubbish
This song is 'blur'. It is a classic, it has the lyrics, it has the tune, it has the lalalas, this is the song that makes them them. 'Trying not to make him sick again.' I also think this one helped the epiphany...
London's so nice back in your seamless rhymes But we're lost on the Westway. So we hold each other tightly, And we can wait until tomorrow.
The end
PS: Songs that did not fit into the list! Song 2 (Blur) Parklife (Parklife) Country House (The Great Escape) Blue Jeans (Modern Life is Rubbish) Coffee and TV (13) Trailerpark (13) Bugman (13) End of a Century (Parklife) To the End (Parklife) Black Book (Music is my Radar) Sweet Song (Think Tank) Tender (13)
