You would’ve given it a 10 if Damon Albarn didn’t profess his love for Activision on this album

@Radi0Wires

Жыл бұрын

THAT'S ENOUGH BALLADS!

@tonydrew914

Жыл бұрын

@@Radi0Wires shots fired! I repeat shots fired!!!

@HipHopfan_

Жыл бұрын

Stop with these type of like begging comments🤦🏼‍♂️

@Hi-fd4cw

Жыл бұрын

@@HipHopfan_Damn bro that cut me deep

@johnrogan8284

Жыл бұрын

What the hell are you talking about

My anxiety and depression has been quite rough the past month and this album has kind of lifted me from that a bit. Beautiful album.

@andresaguero5880

Жыл бұрын

It made it worse to me, but it is a 9/10 hahaha

@H3ll9_Fr13nd

Жыл бұрын

Hope you’re doing already man

Magic Whip is the hidden gem of 21st century Blur, 8/10 in my book. For Darren, if you add Sticks and Stones, the Japan bonus track, plus the 2 'bonus' songs, and you got a solid album. Bit of a head scratcher in those decisions.

@amyharris7312

Жыл бұрын

I love The Heights.

@thatrandomcomment968

Жыл бұрын

The same goes to Gorillaz last album.. The bonus traços were better than most of the album official tracklist, zero sense. Must be a Damon thing, idk

@Tarkess

Жыл бұрын

Let's not let it be forgotten that Melon downloaded a fake version of the Magic Whip, put up a review for that version, embarassingly got caught doing so, took down the review and uploaded a barely altered version of the same review with a slightly different score. How he got away with that one, I'll never know.

@paultapping9510

Жыл бұрын

​@@Tarkessso?

@-natdog-9516

Жыл бұрын

Magic Whip is my comfort album, probably the best Damon project from that era

Personally this album is a strong 7/light 8 for me in Fantano-speak, or an 8.1 in Pitchforkese. Barbaric, The Narcissist, & The Ballad are among their most gorgeous tracks in many years. St. Charles Square is also so catchy. With every listen this one just keeps growing on me more and more. Overall, this album feels like a glorious, triumphant return from one of my favorite bands of the 90s, and I foresee myself listening to it for years to come 🥰

@rossrobbins7707

10 ай бұрын

I've continued to listen to this gem of an album many times these past few months, and I would upgrade my score to an 8.6/strong 8.

The Magic Whip is definitely still memorable to me, and probably in my top 5 Blur albums imo.

@philatio1744

Жыл бұрын

the magic whip is amazing, imo

@elyy0345

Жыл бұрын

I agree

@brandonsfacepod

Жыл бұрын

I'll never understand why people don't like The Magic Whip. It's really neat imo

@neesh69

Жыл бұрын

It’s alright imo

@Andrew-bn7rr

Жыл бұрын

Magic Whip is brilliant. I visited Hong Kong in 2019 and really felt the vibe of Kowloon where they were recording demos.

If Darren can get a ballad, why can't I?

@joellchapo4336

Жыл бұрын

The ballad of superwhizz114 doesent have the same ring to it

@LittleOoozie

Жыл бұрын

@@joellchapo4336lmfao😂😂

@philatio1744

Жыл бұрын

you've gotta be damon albarn's sugar baby.

@superwhizz114

Жыл бұрын

@@joellchapo4336 😔

@superwhizz114

Жыл бұрын

@@philatio1744 Any vacant positions??

I thought the Magic Whip was a brilliant comeback and it's my personal favourite album Blur has ever done. Love it from start to finish.

It's official, Fantano prefers The Ballad of Darren to MBDTF

@James-kj9hw

Жыл бұрын

What does that stand for?

@vistarrz

Жыл бұрын

@@James-kj9hwmy beautiful dark twisted fantasy by kanye west

I was super hyped for this album and it was great. I dig the melancholy its drenched in, I thought all the songs were great (even though some of them were a bit more forgettable than others). It's just a great vibe and more new territory explored by Blur, I feel like we really needed an album like this in 2023. Love it

@amyharris7312

Жыл бұрын

Life is sad. I adore anything Damon sings basically. A 6!!! No way

@James-kj9hw

Жыл бұрын

I like it, its new rather than just a rehash of old blur songs.

The Magic Whip was actually great, and so is this album 👍

y’know, i agree that it doesn’t stick the finish in a tracklist sense, but i actually really like the literal finish to the album where it gets super noisy

I needed a 7 for Damon this year Anthony, now I gotta go back to day drinking 😞

@James-kj9hw

Жыл бұрын

Light 7 still counts.

@Jenna_Miles

Жыл бұрын

@@James-kj9hwSo do light beers AAYYYOOOOO CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG

The Magic Whip is underrated. It’s become my favorite album from Blur over the years. This one hasn’t captivated me in the same way yet but who knows…

I can'e believe they didn't include Sticks and Stones on the main album. Probably my favourite track from this Blur era.

@Thrillseeker8922

Жыл бұрын

Indeed!

I've always enjoyed Blur's theatrical streak, they seem to get it from the band Cardiacs whom were a big influence in their early days

@almubarak89458

Жыл бұрын

Thom Yorke of Radiohead is a big fan of that band.

@PLJogging

Жыл бұрын

@@almubarak89458 I always hear these two being big Cardiacs fans, but it all seems largely apochryphal to me. I haven't seen much evidence of Thom Yorke in particular namedropping them.

@almubarak89458

Жыл бұрын

@@PLJogging I read it on the comment section to a cardiacs full album video I mean it doesn’t sound impossible

@toddfrombethesda6963

Жыл бұрын

@@PLJoggingpretty sure Cardiacs opened for Radiohead.

@margauxroussel3153

Жыл бұрын

@@PLJogging I think the Cardiacs’ influence can be heard on some extremely niche early Blur tracks, but not much else… Among those I can remember right now: Fried, Long Legged, and Intermission.

WHERE IS UTOPIA REVIEW??

who else waiting for utopia review

I think The Narcissist is one of the best things the band have ever done. Absolutely brilliant song.

guys believe me if you ever feel confused about this album just listen to it again and again and you'll discover that every single track is a pearl by its own, i personally love Russian Strings

Anthony, where’s Utopia?

@daftchunk_

Жыл бұрын

The pyramids

Thanks you for reviewing. You should do a classic Blur album at some point as well for classics weeks.

I think this is WAY better than you say here. I disagree that it tails off, and the beautiful Goodbye Albert is my favourite track. It’s probably the most consistent of all their albums, with very cohesive playing and songwriting. A late-career masterpiece.

@mefel

Жыл бұрын

I totally agree.

Where's that new Travis Scott review I need to know whether I can like it or not

i haven't listened to this album and i'm not usually a fan of blur but the album cover is a really nice picture so i might check it out

the great escape is definitely their most theatrical. this album is kinda like the sad version of tge

The Magic Whip has really stuck with me over the years, I really love it. The Ballad of Darren was very different and I’m still not sure how I feel about it. There are quite a few songs that I really love, and most of it is great to listen to in the moment but it’s like I forget what I’ve just heard as soon as it finishes. Maybe with a few more listens I’ll start to understand it more.

utopia

The Heights is actually my favorite on the album and here's why: it's the most reminiscent of Blur circa 2000 - 13 era. It's got that soulful blues and "Universal"-like strings that I feel were missing from Magic Whip, and the ending just crushes (which has been done on countless albums at this point from Radiohead to Billie Eillish but adds to the overall theme of the album here which is hard to accomplish). I also like the consistency in theme, production, and feel which I felt Magic Whip was lacking. But yea, Heights definitely affected me unexpectedly and has been on repeat. Same with Barbaric and The Swan.

@HerveBoisde

Жыл бұрын

It’s probably my 3rd favorite song on the album after The Narcissist and Ballad. To me it conjures up a Neil Young track mixed with The Flaming Lips and the creeping white noise taking over the sound at the very end is reminiscent of one of the Beatles best songs I Want You (she’s so heavy)

@corncake4677

Жыл бұрын

The Magic Whip definitely had a consistent vibe to it, there was this general eastern flair to it in its sound, lyrics, even the cover. Damon literally went to North Korea for a song

The comments here are always so dull and repetitive

Wow I did not expect you to be this quick with the Travis review

@Kanondith

Жыл бұрын

True, and i'm surprised he gave it a not good and said the n word for the entire review

The Heights is a beautiful closer! Perfect in fact. I do agree with the length, I'd love one more track on this to make it 11. The Japanese bonus track Sticks & Stones is rad, and should have been on the album.

hey Anthony, are you going to review your lawsuit against Activision?

utopia is gonna be a decent 6 right ?

This ain’t Utopia

@Kanondith

Жыл бұрын

Exactly

@litete2512

2 ай бұрын

Shush lil bro

You should review The Waeve´s debut album. The Waeve is band project formed by Blur´s Graham Coxon and his partner Rose Elinor Dougall. The album came out earlier this year and was also produced by James Ford.

Anthony you used my language in this video it’s time for me to claim my royalties.

Mr Fantano, spend a bit longer with it and it really grabs you. I agree about The Magic Whip, TBOD is a true Blur album in the traditional sense of it following a theme and seeing it through. But in regards to the overall quality of songs, theme, memorable moments etc - it's a solid 9/10 for me.

@corncake4677

Жыл бұрын

TMW had a theme. It was very eastern sounding and it matched that in its lyrics. Kinda like how Think Tank was for middle east/africa

theneedledrop Thoughts on (any of) the following albums melon? -Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge - Run The World: Season 2 (Music from the STARZ Original Series) -Terrace Martin, Curly - Curly -Post Malone - Austin

Tbh I feel like Blur were playing the hits on The Magic Whip (which I loved and still do), but this album feels a bit less forced about all that. Though I feel the bonus tracks are all the more energetic "fun" ones, I do see the picture the band are painting on the main album and can appreciate it for that. It took this long for Blur to age out of their peak and this album makes a pretty good case for it not being the end of the world, giving us much better middle aged rock songs than some of the artists people consider the greatest. The remaining Beatles didn't make albums this good at their age, nor did the Stones or Floyd, let alone any of Blur's 90s rivals. I figure Pulp could totally pull it off, if they had any desire to.

Que marca de gel usas

I get that some people feel like the second half of the album falls off a cliff, but I think it displays some of their most mature sounds. They sound to me like musicians who feel comfortable knowing they are good at what they do and want their feelings to really be heard as they are no longer those britpop 25 year olds or those 30 year olds trying to create a self titled album that feels like Blur trying to desperately break America. I do wish in this album that Dave Rowntree had more of a presence and Damon's voice was more powerful in moments though. I was also desperate to hear more of Graham's voice throughout this album as that is what really ties together a lot of Blur songs for me. The Avalon however was an instant hit for me, I've not been able to get the chorus out of my head and it's my favourite off the record along with Barbaric. I also think that The Heights is just so beautiful, I feel connected with that song

the fuck? this isn't Utopia

@Kanondith

Жыл бұрын

Exactly

music boy where is the utopia review

Utopia pls

I see you put Goodbye Albert as least favourite (was mine originally) however it is now when of my favs. The guitar is subtle but hits the more you listen to it

@WorldOfArGii

Жыл бұрын

💯. Graham really shines on this track. Reminds me a lot of MLIR-era.

@walpolekidscomics879

Жыл бұрын

Yep🎉

@aldamasta

Жыл бұрын

It’s a grower for sure! Now one of my favorite tracks.

WHERE IS THE UTOPIA ALBUM REVIEW

Not a bad album but nowhere near their best stuff. Self Titled, 13 and Think Tank are incredible albums.

@Andrew-bn7rr

Жыл бұрын

People crap on Think Tank and I don't understand why, it's great.

@madness9651

Жыл бұрын

@@Andrew-bn7rr Because the guitarist (Graham Coxon) is only on one song, because Crazy Beat reminds them of infamous crazy frog and because it came out after Gorillaz self titled, and both albums have some similar influences (they are totally different though), and lastly, and I think this is pretty important, Damon had lost 90s looks and his voice had further deepened, meaning his time as a teenager idol was over. So I really think its not about the music but about being ... Out of Time ;)

@artaaangels

Жыл бұрын

@@Andrew-bn7rr Ambulance is a top 5 opening track of all time imo

Feel like you've been a bit harsh about this gem of an album from a band who are better than they've possibly ever been. Add the Wembley Stadium gigs to the mix and the fact that the album was written on the road & recorded / mixed over a matter of weeks - it's a special thing that is part of a re-discovery and re-ignition for these genius dudes, now in their 50s. Hope you keep listening to it because it keeps bearing more gifts on repeated listens. The two bonus songs are also marvellous!

Fantano giving this a 6 is only to prepare us to see his Utopia review👀

Finally I can hate you for giving every opium member a bad score for a valid reason.

Impressive how Anthony managed to be the greedy side in a battle against Activision

Hi Anthony, can you please review the new Girl Ray album Prestige? Thanks!

Great review of Blur Anthony. Loved this classic Mario Kart style racer on the Xbox 360, so happy to see it re-released on current gen!

What would activision rate this album

Magic Whip is definitely my favorite Blue album and while this new record doesn’t live up to the hype, its still got some amazing tracks. Very moody but I love how theatrical it is

Good review, and I guess a light 7/10 is fair. Although the highlights on the album are so good that its still going to take a special place in my library.

"starts stronger that it finishes" "6/10" this is fimiliar...

Before Utopia?

Huge blur fan, Modern Life is Rubbish, Parklife, The Great Escape: I think these are some of the greatest records ever made

@moonlightdaydream897

Жыл бұрын

13 is my favourite!! Think Tank and The Magic Whip are under-appreciated.

Review The Lawsuit of Activision next

Anthony Flew Too Close to The Sun-Tano

Is it true you are trying to charge people for using your meme on Tiktok?

The Magic Whip is great, every song is a banger.

I love this album. I’m glad you didn’t hate it haha

Ever since their poor treatment of Nardwaur, I can't do this band. Same with Sonic Youth. Treat Nardwaur like crap, you lose.

@madness9651

Жыл бұрын

Yikes. Nardwuar is a sensationalist who purposefully escalated that situation with very drugged and hostile people. Entirely his own, fault, but was actually to his benefit since he got what he wanted, a fabricated scandal. He could have just left the room or tried to deal with the situation without his ridiculous interview persona by turning the cameras off. Get some media competency, because this "scandal" is lame af.

I dont know what to think about the new Travis album, please review it

As a huge Blur fan since 2015 (I started knowing and loving them since The Magic Whip), I'd say I'm a bit disappointed with this album because there're so many mellow slow ballads that sound quite similar. But I'm glad and lucky enough to go to their intimate show in the 3500-capacity Eventim Apollo where they presented the album from start to finish, and I kinda understand the melancholy more as I see they're four late middle-aged men after all lol, and I can assure these songs are better when performed live. That being said, I still think this album is my least favourite in their catalogue, and The Magic Whip is wayyyyyy stronger - it's so underrated. (They played Pyongyang in the Eventim Apollo show, which was absolutely amazing) My favourite Blur album has to be 13, followed by Modern Life is Rubbish and Parklife. Think Tank is already criminally underrated!!!

@amyharris7312

Жыл бұрын

I'm so happy you got to be at that small venue show. What a blessing. I sat on my couch in Alabama and watched the livestream. A well spent $20 for me. Loved the encore. Amazing set!

I was expecting Utopia. Why are you here?

when is the utopia album review happening

You need to review The Coral - The Coral, it’s my favourite album ever Edit: my favourite could be in utero but it’s close I’m not sure

Didn't think I'd see another blur album

If only Anthony heard their new record “Activision Should Pay Me”

WHERE THE FUCK IS THE UTOPIA REVIEW

@Kanondith

Жыл бұрын

It's a 10/10, that's why it's not dropping now

Can't believe you made me agree with Activision on something for once

This isn’t utopia

Hey Anthony! Can you review the album "Forever in Bloom" by Vacations?

Is this the part you give us Utopia

Great review Anthony, but you didn't have to break into my house and demand royalties for using your voice in my TikToks

Why are you paying for Twitter blue though?

Nice opinion Anthony, but why do you have pornography in the background of your video?

i really saw that 6 coming from miles away.

Review the deluxe version. It adds three tracks and bumps the record to an 8/10, at most lol. The Heights is an easy highlight.

@Andrew-bn7rr

Жыл бұрын

Sticks and Stones, extra song on the Japanese version, should've been placed in the back half to warm things up a hair.

Wo Utopia Review?

I'm sorry Mr. Melon, but there's really no clear distinction in quality between the first and second half of this album. Besides, 'The Heights' is an incredibly emotional track, both lyrically and musically. It reminds me of 'Battery in Your Leg' from their album 'Think Tank' in terms of being an emotionally charged ending song for the album.

I thought this album was really good, got the deluxe vinyl coming. Being a long time blur fan I thought it was relatively underwhelming on first listen but after the next listen, I knew the goal of the album and decided to give it a solid 7-8 imo. Far away island, the narcissist and St Charles Square my favourites.

Utopia

I do love blur in general, but i also found myself a bit disappointed in the album. It's a bit too one-note and mellow, a far-cry from blur's more eclectic collection of sounds. parklife, modern life is rubbish, even 13, blur and the magic whip felt like more varied experiences. To me, it feels more in line with albarn's solo material than the rest of blur. that being said, it's really decent. The kooky St. Charles Square, the genuinely great "The Narcissist" is something i've been so obssesed in the last months. "The Ballad" is one of the greatest openings i've heard this year. I can't argue with the six, but i also think it could be a grower. It's definitely a vibe, like Gorillaz' most recent album.

@jf1573

Жыл бұрын

I agree ☝️

@philatio1744

11 ай бұрын

@@jf1573 cool, thanks for reading!!

@jf1573

11 ай бұрын

@@philatio1744 You're welcome. Damon Albarn is one of my favorite musicians but he tends to become more and more mellow and melancholic. Ironically, some of his best tunes are incredibly energetic and/or weird. I think St. Charles is the only example, here.

@philatio1744

11 ай бұрын

@@jf1573 damon is also one of my faves! now, i don't think mellow from him is necessarily bad. The blur self titled had some killer mellow cuts, as well as 13, Think Tank and even The Magic Whip. Hell, some of the best Gorillaz tracks are mellow. My issue is how one-note he tends to be with it recently, especially on his solo albums. It's a vibe, sure, but not as interesting to listen to imo

@jf1573

11 ай бұрын

@@philatio1744 I agree wholeheartedly. On Melancholy Hill is my favorite Gorillaz track. But his latest Gorillaz album was almost like Melancholy Hill extended version. Again, I love that dude. I just wished he would put out more bangers like On Your Own.

I really loved The magic Whip. Surprised its seemed to fall off in fantanos eyes over the years since he gave it a 7. Intially Ty for shouting out 13 though peak record

I really like this review

bro is avoiding utopia💀💀

I honestly think you could argue they peaked in the early aughts… those 90s albums are fantastic, but their last couple albums before their first extended break, ‘13’ and ‘Think Tank’, were/are arguably their best, and/or are underrated masterpieces at the least imo. Unfortunately, they’re overshadowed by Damon’s Gorrillaz albums from that period, and by the nostalgia for their 90s commercial peak, and the turn of the millennium is seen as a dramatic and rocky period for the band, but I’d argue 13 and Think Tank stand strong with all the above, and that’s saying something… Anyway, yeah, I haven’t listened to this new one yet, but I’m sure I’ll eventually get around to it. I just wanted to give a counter to the whole “Parklife” and “Blur” are their peak…

Wheres utopia

While I'm a fan of the album, I think the extra tracks could have replaced a few songs for a wider range of mood and tone. The extra tracks are quite nice. I love "Stick and Stones" but I don't know that I'd recognize it as a Blur song if I didn't already know, which is interesting. All this to say, I'm delighted Blur continues to make music together.

Sounds like damon's solo project

ive already seen like two comments saying bout the "ballad of melon"

You need to review that Cure album that you have in the background. It's defo their best release. 💯💯💯

This isn’t utopia the hell melon

Code Orange T-shirt!? New Frank Ocean confirmed!?!?

I think id give this album a light 9, the first side of the album might be my favlurite blur A side in a long time, the grown up sound of blur has really delivered in my opinion, definitely their best album since the 90s. Couldve been a little longer for their first album in 8 years. and some of the latter songs are a bit forgettable, but apart from that its brillaint album, deserves to be No.1 in the charts

Bro drop the utopia review