Golden D, The - Graham Coxon

Advantages: What the Blur of old would sound like in 2004
Disadvantages: Not enough stunning tracks, too many with potential

...songs, which makes the album drag slightly. Humourous lyrics interjected ("very pretty and you're tanned, but i'd rather sleep with my right hand") making this the sort of song that you may hum along to, but it won't win any new fans as it doesn't stretch Coxons obvious musical or songwriting capabilities. 6.5/10 11. Don't Be A Stranger Don't be fooled, this is not a Dina Carroll cover! Slightly faster than the previous three, it's hard to criticise a song for being bland when it includes a xylophone solo to the point where it fits in well. However, there is nothing that really grabs you and makes you want to listen to it in any other way than as part of the album. You can do better than this Graham. 5/10 12. Ribbons And Leaves The slow song at the end of the album that many favour to end on. Piano, voice, accoustic guitar... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Imaginatively crafted punky tunes
Disadvantages: Doesn't progress greatly from the last, slightly awkward (although paradoxically that is also a positive)

...For a man who is exactly 16 years older to the day than a certain editor and is on his thirteenth album including seven Blur LP's, Graham Coxon sounds incredibly fresh. Regarded as one of the best guitarists of his generation, Coxon has spent the last few years establishing himself as a solo artist and he finally seems to be doing it well. Following the relatively moderate success of 2004's 'Happiness In Magazines' and offshoots 'Freakin' Out' and 'Bittersweet Bundle Of Misery', the ex-Blur guitarist has produced another album with the potential to grace the higher echelons of the charts. Album opener and first single 'Standing On My Own Again' strays little from the previous album's direction but don't take that away from a single full of wistful emptiness and unreciprocated love. In fact the whole album has been soaked... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: It rocks and spits attutude. Man.
Disadvantages: Not long enough....

...OK, here's a review of Graham Coxon output without the B!@r word, once, not at all. It's about time we all forgot about that cos he's far better off without his former chums. Over the last few albums we have seen Golden Graham's (sorry!) writing style become stronger and more profficient but the essence of lo-fi unashamedly fun loving rock is still there. Just better. It kicks off great, guitar noise from the off, no weedy intro with 'Spectacular'. This is a good, no brainer of a rock song - Coxon rhyming Computer with Cuter. Top stuff. Moving through 'No Good Time' a song about a Graphic Designer party girl, really. We then move into the real heart of the album. Girl Done Gone is a nice modern blue lament which leads into the fantastic 'Bittersweet Bundle of Misery'. I can't play the album without repeating this track... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful