| 13 | ||||
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| Released | March 15, 1999 | |||
| Recorded | June–October 1998 (Studio 13, London) | |||
| Genre | Art rock, experimental rock | |||
| Length | 66:50 | |||
| Label | Food Records | |||
| Producer | William Orbit | |||
| Blur album chronology | ||||
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| Singles from 13 | ||||
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13 is the sixth album of Blur, released by Food Records in March 15, 1999. Continuing the musical experimentation that started in their self-titled album, 13 incorporates elements from art rock and experimental music. The band recorded the album with producer William Orbit, who previously remixed tracks on Bustin' and Dronin'.
Regarded as Blur's most personal record, 13 was heavily inspired by frontman Damon Albarn's split from his partner Justine Frischmann. This was also the last album to feature guitarist Graham Coxon before leaving the band during the Think Tank sessions. However, he would later return to take part in recording of The Magic Whip (2015). The cover artwork for 13 is a painting created by Coxon, titled The Apprentice[1].
13 was commercially successful, going No. 1 on the UK Album chart. The record has since received a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), denoting sales of over 300,000 copies. "Tender", "Coffee & TV", and "No Distance Left to Run" were released as singles to promote the album, and received much popularity through radio airplay. 13 received favorable reviews, with many music critics praising the album's direction, though some found it underwhelming and inconsistent. Nonetheless, the album was nominated for the 1999 Mercury Prize, as well as for Best Album at the NME Awards in 2000.
Track listing
- "Tender" - 7:40
- "Bugman" - 4:47
- "Coffee & TV" - 5:58
- "Swamp Song" - 4:36
- "1992" - 5:29
- "B.L.U.R.E.M.I." - 2:52
- "Battle" - 7:43
- "Mellow Song" - 3:56
- "Trailerpark" - 4:26
- "Caramel" - 7:38
- "Trimm Trabb" - 5:37
- "No Distance Left to Run" - 3:27
- "Optigan 1" - 2:34 (instrumental track)
- "I Got Law" (demo) - 2:43 (instrumental track)
Songwriting credits
- Damon Albarn - all tracks (except "Coffee & TV")
- Graham Coxon - "Coffee & TV", "Tender" (co-writer)
Musicians
Blur
- Damon Albarn - lead vocals (all tracks except "Coffee & TV"), piano, additional instrumentation
- Graham Coxon - guitars, lead vocals (on "Coffee & TV"), co-lead vocals (on "Tender"), backing vocals
- Alex James - bass guitar, backing vocals, double bass (on "Tender")
- Dave Rowntree - drums, percussion
Additional musicians
- The London Community Gospel Choir - choir on "Tender"
- Jason Cox - additional drums on "Battle"
Production
- William Orbit - production, engineering
- John Smith - engineering
- Jason Cox - engineering
- Gerard Navarro - additional engineering
- Arnþór Örlygsson - additional engineering
- Iain Roberton - additional engineering
- Sean Spuehler - Pro Tools
- Damian LeGassick - Pro Tools
- Howie Weinberg - mastering