Victory - Larry Graham

Advantages: Definitely his best solo album - and that's saying something
Disadvantages: Some songs aren't as good as they could be

...I ordered this album from Amazon as soon as it was announced, so that I could get it within the first week of it's release. Blur are my favourite band and I've got all of Graham's previous solo albums, which range from pretty good to just about tolerable :-P however, this has enough to better his past 4 albums combined, and to provide possibly one of the best indie rock albums of 2004. I got the album in the same order as 'Meltdown' by Ash, which I listened to far much more than this initially. I gave this a go, but it didn't catch me as quickly as Ash's album did, so I stuck it into my CD collection and let it gather dust for a few months. In November (6 months after it had been released), I randomly decided to give it a go again and I'm glad I did. I listened to the 45 minutes with absolute joy and have listened to it many more... Read review

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

...I first heard a song on the radio and they refused to tell who the person was until after. After hearing the song (Freakin' Out), I had come up with Johnny Rotton for the 'i don't care' vocals and Graham Coxon for the little guitar bits. After triumphantly finding out it was Coxon, I realised that this was a fantastic song and, whilst Blur's new direction is not all bad, their strong point was when Coxon's songwriting was harnessed by Damon Albarn and that their loss was a tragedy. 1. Spectacular A solid opening track leaving you singing 'You are, something quite spectacular'. Not a track that will be released. 7/10 2. No Good Time Not really a quick nor slow song, it makes for an easy-on-the-ears album track. Not much more, not much less. 6/10 3. Girl Done Gone A bluesy track that is mournful in vocals, yet... Read review

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Advantages: Great, mind expanding album
Disadvantages: n/a

...The Sky Is Too High Graham Coxon (Transcopic 1998) One of the finest albums made. An astonishing moody piece of work. However the listener has to be clever and be prepared to hear noises that are not aesthetically pleasing. If you can do this then you are in for a real treat. The Blur guitarist is an expert at making himself sound very fragile. On these tracks the listener is forced to see things from his point of view and your heart is hollowed of everything bar the mood the song induces. Then he becomes angry and that’s when he makes ‘nasty’ noises on his guitar. Graham plays all the instruments on the album. Extremely innovative guitar stretching the limits of the guitars emotion inducing ability. The drums are excellent, usually only included on the heavier tracks. Tracks that stick out: Who The F**k? An absolute mental metal... Read review

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