Graham Coxon is in a mean mood on his punchy new double A-side. His voice rasps impatiently while his guitar rages like a bull-terrier straining at the leash. His new band sound like they've been fed on raw meat as they bristle together in an impressive display of early Jam-like aggression. It's good to know the spirit of punk is alive and kicking.
Recorded a month ago with long-time collaborator Stephen Street, and available on 7 inch or by download, the two songs crackle and pop with pent-up energy. If on What Ya Gonna Do Now? "You're all revved up ready to go," Coxon’s frustration is palpable, on Bloody Annoying - "You ain’t got all your cylinders firing," he's spoiling for a fight. That's right mate, get it off your chest, whatever it is, you’ll feel better for it.
Musically, these tracks may seem unadventurous, even backward-looking, especially compared with Damon Albarn's sonic experiments with Gorillaz. As with so many great singer/guitarist combinations - Morrissey/Marr, Brown/Squire, Anderson/Butler - the contrasting but complementary musical personalities of Albarn and Coxon gave Blur their creative edge. However, even if this record is the aural equivalent of sausage and mash (with mustard) it still tastes bloody good.
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