Graham Coxon
Happiness in Magazines
(Astralwerks)
Anyone confused about the dramatic difference in sound between Blur's most recent album, Think Tank, and the latest release from the band's former guitarist and chief musical player would do well to remember that Graham Coxon had already left the band before that album was recorded (thanks to mounting tensions with singer Damon Albarn). The odd twist is that with Coxon's latest, Happiness in Magazines, he may actually end up usurping his former group's fan base.
Whereas Blur's last work showed the band headed away from its britpop roots and toward more experimental territory, Magazines hits much closer to the work of early Blur. This isn't to say that the album is merely a retread of Coxon's guitar work from a decade ago, however. Magazines is simply very catchy and guitar heavy as a whole-both traits that were once highly descriptive of Blur.
As a solo artist, Happiness in Magazines is a new step for Coxon, as the previous releases under his name switched around from being largely centered around acoustic guitar to louder punk tunes and then back again to acoustics. His latest album is the first to take an approach very similar to vintage Blur. Simply listen to how similar openings of Coxon's \Bittersweet Bundle of Misery"" and the Blur single ""Coffee and TV.""
Oddly though, where his guitar work for Blur usually stood out as the strange side of the band, here with an entire record to himself, Coxon doesn't push the bounds of his instrument nearly as much.
The lack of experimentation does nothing to hurt the overall quality of Magazines, however. Where Think Tank drew criticism for a lack of song craft and direction, Magazines is a tightly focused and well-constructed effort that manages excellence while staying largely within the bounds of convention. The charge-ahead drumbeat on ""Spectacular"" begins the album at a run that continues until the blues-inspired ""Girl Done Gone.""
""Bittersweet Bundle of Misery"" is easily one of the catchiest tracks on the disc and the follow up ""All Over Me"" stands out for its beautiful string arrangements. ""People of the Earth's"" punk guitars and shouted vocals are a sign that the split from Blur didn't destroy Coxon's sense of humor, with lines like ""People of the Earth, you aren't cool! / You eat hamburgers and go to school!""
Overall, the songs on Happiness in Magazines remain strong throughout, making Coxon's first completely post-Blur release one of the best things he's ever done.
-Matt Hunziker
