Modern Life is Rubbish

Modern Life is Rubbish (1993)

From the opening riff of “For Tomorrow”, it should be evident that Modern Life is a different beast from Leisure. This a more confident Blur piping through the speakers, and a far more Britain-centric one, too. The look inwards at Britain in the 1990s, which would persist until 1997’s Blur, results in lyrics with the wit and charm that Leisure lacked. The music retains Leisure’s darkness, but the instruments have punch, and Damon Albarn’s voice isn’t quite as drenched in a reverb reminiscent of It Still Moves-era My Morning Jacket. The guitars are much cleaner, but songs like “Pressure on Julian” utilize effects, although the band is more judicious in their use.  The result is far more cohesive album than Leisure, and the first of Blur’s classic mid-nineties albums.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Highlights: “For Tomorrow”; “Colin Zeal”; “Chemical World”