The Great Escape - Blur

Competition can be a great thing; motivating people to achieve things they otherwise may not have attained, moving the human race forward and creating an entertaining spectacle. But it can also bring out the worst in people; the desire to win consuming those involved.

In the summer of 1995 Britpop had its own Olympic event and a head to head battle between it's two biggest proponents. On the 14 August 1995 both Blur and Oasis released new lead singles from forthcoming albums. They were both at their peak and, spurred on by the press, the race was on for the coveted No. 1 spot.

In lane 1 we had the new comers from Manchester. Young upstarts to some, natural heirs to the throne to others. Oasis' single 'Roll With It' was an anthem for the terraces. In Lane 2 were the masters of indie-pop. To some at least. To others they were the old guard and about to be knocked off their perch. Their single 'Country House' was a song for the bars and beers gardens of Britain. A sing-a-long knees up.

It was ridiculous really. But the press loved it, working up the competitors into a frenzy. Everyone caught got caught up in this battle of Britpop. It must've been a slow news week.

History will record that Blur came out on top, sneaking across the line a smidge in front of the arrogant upstarts. In reality neither won - in the long run at least. Blur eventually split due to musical differences whilst Oasis burnt out in a haze of cigarettes, alcohol and white powder. Allegedly. The diminishing quality if their albums providing the most damning evidence.

'The Great Escape' is probably Blur's low point. The blot on their copy book, turning their cheery cock-er-ney dial all the way to eleven. It's full of breezy tales of surburban life; wife swapping, business people on business trips, loneliness and detachment. Oh and Ken Livingston.

It's a terribly disjointed affair which after a while gets a little boring. Maybe one or two bubbly songs may have been ok but a whole album? Actually not quite a whole album. There is one saving grace. One beam of musical light that saves the day...well almost. 'The Universal' is an absolutely gorgeous ballad, Blur style. It's simply stunning and head and shoulders the best thing on here. Maybe their best song ever? Steady on tiger.

I doubt the rivalry with Oasis is wholly to blame for this album but it can't have helped. Maybe they were distracted by the noise from the Manchester lot? Did they try to make a commercially successful album? Were hit singles the driving force? Or did they just lose direction? Even Damon Albarn agrees; "I've made two bad records. The first record, which is awful, and The Great Escape, which was messy".

But like I said, competition can bring out the worst in people. So what was the Oasis album like?.......