Blur

Parklife survived being the crown jewel of the 1990s Brit pop scene and has since gone on to classic status. Standout tracks such as "End of the Century," "To the End," and practically every other number come together to create a commentary on how Britain's history and pop cultural past inform the present. Aside from that heady stuff, it's a blast to hear.

Last year's Modern Life Is Rubbish found Blur vaulting from the indie ranks, combating the
slacker invasion and jousting with archrivals Suede by reviving the spirit of the Kinks, early
Jam and Hunky Dory-era Bowie. Blur became the Great Brit Pop Hope. With one of this
year's best albums, they realize their cheeky ambition: to reassert all the style and wit, boy
bonding and stardom aspiration that originally made British rock so dazzling. Pro... More >