May 13, 1995
By JAMIE KASTNER -- Toronto Sun
Some pop stars are driven by money, others by chicks and
glory. Brit brats Blur act simply out of the goodness of their
hearts.
"We feel we were needed in Canada," says frontman Damon
Albarn. "We're not on tour, this'll just be a one-off
gig."
Colonial favors aside, the delicate subversives behind the likes
of Modern Life Is Rubbish headline Edgefest at the Molson
Amphitheatre next Sunday. Stagewarmers include Elastica, Ned's
Atomic Dustbin and Our Lady Peace.
Part of the swirl of '90s chart-topping guitar Brit popsters like
Suede and Oasis, Blur made their name at home and abroad with the
successful debut Leisure, the successful follow up Modern Life Is
Rubbish and the very successful third album Park Life. They've
just clocked out of the studio on a fourth album.
"We find there's more sympathy with our archaic British
language in Canada than in America," Albarn says.
Indeed, who could deny the universal appeal of such bon mots as
Park Life's "confidence is a preference for the the habitual
voyeur of what is known as (parklife)."
Speaking from a London studio Albarn is no telephone wordslouch
either.
"In America our music is only popular among a certain middle
class on the east coast and the west coast. I don't think our
music is middle class; I think, ultimately, it's Cleveland."
Albarn sees himself and the band as "commentators on and
celebrators of the quirks of British life." He says they
started out exclusively on the commentating side of things,
"but after the runaway success of Park Life we became a part
of the pop establishment we were talking about. It's quite
strange really, because you're having a go at it, but then you
can't take the mickey out of yourself, so then it's reacting to
itself - it happens to any band."
The effects of cycle of commentation will be felt in the new
material. "All the characters are more disconnected. They're
indulging in seedier activities. They're monsters.
Of course being a pop star doesn't make being a commentator any
easier.
"Being famous makes it a lot harder to just walk down the
street - everybody saying hello to you, it's like you've got no
arms.
"Up until last year I used to be very dismissive of people
who suffer from depression as a reaction to success.
"But it's been quite an oppressive year for me. Being famous
is like having a disability."