Accelerated Culture Podcast: Episode 63 Summary – Blur’s “Leisure” (1991)

Release Date: March 29, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 63 of the Accelerated Culture Podcast, hosts Lori and Scott Free delve deep into Blur's debut album, "Leisure", released in 1991. Titled as a 2024 Webby Award Honoree for Best Indie Podcast, Accelerated Culture takes listeners on a nostalgic exploration of the evolution from 1980s new wave to 1990s alternative music, with a particular focus on often-overlooked albums that shaped the Britpop movement.

Hosts' Personal Updates

The episode begins with Lori and Scott sharing their recent experiences in the music scene:

• Scott Free recounts attending a Helmet concert at Chicago’s Cobra Lounge, highlighting the band’s precise and energetic performance. (00:54)

  “But man, did these guys rock. Precise and tight and loud and distorted and complex with sometimes crazy time signatures.” (00:56)

• Lori mentions her upcoming attendance at the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena, expressing excitement about seeing favorite bands like New Order, Garbage, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds live. (02:41)

  “New Order is going to be there. Garbage. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The Go Gos. Yeah, it's an amazing lineup, so right on. I am excited.” (03:33)

They also share shout-outs to listeners, fostering a sense of community among their audience. (04:09)

Introduction to Episode: Blur’s "Leisure"

Scott introduces the episode's focus on Blur's 1991 debut album, "Leisure", acknowledging its cultural significance despite not being the band's most acclaimed work.

“Leisure now, it's not their best album, not by far, but it is, I think, culturally important because this was the seeds of what would later become the Britpop movement.” (06:13)

Scott emphasizes that while "Leisure" contains elements of shoegaze, Madchester, and baggy genres, it subtly hints at the Britpop sound that would emerge later, making it a vital piece in music history.

The Formation and Evolution of Blur

Early Days and Band Formation

The hosts provide an in-depth history of Blur's formation:

• Stanway Comprehensive School in Colchester, where Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, and Alex James first crossed paths. Damon was known for his unique style and interests in music, hair, and acting. (08:40)

  “…Damon was a big fan back when Meantime came out. So I’m happy that you got to see them. Kind of bummed that I didn’t know about it.” (02:21)

• The initial friction between Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon, starting with derogatory comments about each other’s shoes, eventually blossomed into a creative partnership. (09:34 - 10:31)

• Alex James joins the band after being persuaded by his admiration for New Order, contributing his bass skills that would become foundational to Blur's sound. (18:08)

• The band's early name changes from Circus to Seymour before finally settling on Blur, influenced by the J.D. Salinger short story "Seymour: An Introduction." (20:41)

  “In 1988, there's a band called Circus. It's Damon Alburn on vocals, Graham Coxon on guitars, Dave Roundtree on drums. In late 1988, bassist Alex James joins the band and they change their name to Seymour after the J.D. salinger short story.” (20:41)

Signing with Food Records and Early Success

Blur signs with Food Records by February 1990, leading to the release of their initial singles:

• "She's So High" hits number 48 on the UK Singles Chart. (37:58 - 38:08)

  “She’s so High was a double A side. The next track was the other side of the she so High single.” (56:36)

• "There's No Other Way" becomes a significant hit, reaching number eight in the UK Singles Chart. (43:49 - 44:26)

• "Bang" follows as the third single, though it only reaches number 24, marking a less successful release compared to its predecessors. (50:42 - 51:20)

Album Deep Dive: "Leisure"

Background and Influences

"Leisure" is characterized by its blend of shoegaze, Madchester, and emerging Britpop sounds. Hosts draw parallels between Blur's work and that of contemporaries like Happy Mondays, Stone Roses, and My Bloody Valentine.

“Graham Coxon explained, Leisure was our Queen, quote, indie Detox album.” (33:13)

Track-by-Track Analysis

1. "She's So High"

   • Description: Blends shoegaze elements with punchy guitar riffs.
   • Key Points: Originated from Alex James’s bass loop; recorded at Battery Studios, same as Stone Roses’ "Fool’s Gold".
   • Hosts' Opinion: Appreciated Graham Coxon's guitar work despite simplistic lyrics.
   • Quote:

     Lori: “But man, I think we were searching for their identity. There's some songs that are going to sound very much like the Madchester scene, but it's also as much shoegaze as anything else.” (06:31)

2. "There's No Other Way"

   • Description: Features a groovy, danceable beat with harmonious vocals.
   • Key Points: Became a top ten hit; compared to The Beatles and The Charlatans.
   • Hosts' Opinion: Praised the song's dance rock genius and Graham’s guitar prowess.
   • Quote:

     Scott: “It's pop rock genius. I mean, just so good.” (44:49)

3. "Bang"

   • Description: A high-energy track with a Manchester-inspired beat.
   • Key Points: Written quickly at Food Records’ insistence; Damon Albarn later disowned it.
   • Hosts' Opinion: Mixed feelings, acknowledging its solid beat but recognizing Damon’s criticism.
   • Quote:

     Damon: “Bang was just shit so he pretty much disowned it.” (51:38)

4. "I Know"

   • Description: Incorporates psychedelic influences with layered guitar effects.
   • Key Points: Features vintage photography on the cover; Damon’s relational dynamics with band members subtly reflected.
   • Hosts' Opinion: Enjoyed the psychedelic sounds and criticizes simplistic lyrics.
   • Quote:

     Scott: “I think there's a lot of personality through Graham Coxon's guitar.” (56:36)

5. "Slow Down"

   • Description: A heavy, fast-paced track with intense drumming.
   • Key Points: Features a significant shift in tempo and mood midway.
   • Hosts' Opinion: Divided opinions; Lori felt Damon Albarn’s vocals didn't match the music’s intensity, while Scott appreciated the dramatic shift.
   • Quote:

     Lori: “Slow Down. Had no great sense of atmosphere or any real tune to speak of.” (62:31)

6. "Repetition"

   • Description: Mid-tempo with shoegaze influences and layered vocals.
   • Key Points: Compared to Gorillaz’s later work; hints at future musical directions.
   • Hosts' Opinion: Found it interesting but noted lyrical shortcomings.
   • Quote:

     Scott: “It’s a product of the time, man.” (47:21)

7. "You, My Friend"

   • Description: Energetic track blending danceable beats with indie guitar work.
   • Key Points: Recognized as a fan favorite in live performances despite mixed in-headphone reviews.
   • Hosts' Opinion: Appreciated its live appeal but found it cacophonous solo.
   • Quote:

     Scott: “It’s a banger.” (76:50)

8. "Fool"

   • Description: Echoes The Smiths with introspective lyrics and melodic guitar.
   • Key Points: Damon Albarn’s vocals compared to Morrissey’s; produced by Mike Thorne.
   • Hosts' Opinion: Liked the song despite acknowledging its lyrical simplicity.
   • Quote:

     Scott: “It lacks some of Morrissey's literary pretensions, but the doubt and the questioning...” (78:25)

9. "Birthday"

   • Description: Slow-paced with droning guitars and reflective lyrics.
   • Key Points: Built up intensity at the 2:43 mark; themes of introspection on personal milestones.
   • Hosts' Opinion: Viewed as a sleeper shoegaze winner despite Damon’s lyrical reservations.
   • Quote:

     Scott: “Damon was left with little choice but to croon a few ahs and oohs in lieu of a proper chorus.” (61:59)

10. "Wear Me Down"

    • Description: Fuses grunge-like heavy guitars with Britpop harmonies.
    • Key Points: Seen as disjointed but functionally effective; ends the album on a mixed note.
    • Hosts' Opinion: Considered it two good songs mashed together, acknowledging its disjointed nature.
    • Quote:

      Scott: “It sounds like another band entirely… two pretty good songs, but are just shoehorned into each other.” (86:10)

Critical Reception at Release and Retrospect

Upon its release, "Leisure" received mixed reviews:

• NME gave it a balanced 6/10, acknowledging its present appeal but ignoring its future significance. (31:36)

  “Andrew Collins declared, it ain't the future. Blur are merely the present of rock and roll.” (31:36)

• Over time, critics and the band itself began to reassess the album's value:

  “Having previously discounted the band's 1991 debut as awful… Damon Albarn... hinted that had it been released into today's more rapid and unforgiving climate, Blur might not have been heard of again.” (80:53)

Despite initial lukewarm responses, "Leisure" is now recognized for capturing the indie scene of the early '90s, blending shoegaze, Madchester, and Britpop elements seamlessly.

Legacy and Impact of "Leisure"

"Leisure" laid the groundwork for Blur's evolution into a Britpop powerhouse. Although the hosts acknowledge that the album is inconsistent, it remains an essential listen for understanding the genre's roots.

“It's extremely important that we're doing this episode because this would become so influential on what things on things to come in the Britpop scene.” (91:57)

Band Members' Later Projects

The episode concludes with a brief overview of the band members' pursuits post-Blur:

• Graham Coxon released three solo albums and collaborated with artists like Duran Duran on their 2021 album Future Past.
• Alex James formed the band Fat Les with actor Keith Allen and artist Damien Hirst, and works as a food writer for The Sun.
• Dave Rowntree ventured into podcast hosting with Dave Rowntree's Podcast Show and released his solo album Radio Songs in 2023. He also worked as a computer animator and became a lawyer during Blur's hiatus.
• Damon Albarn continued his illustrious career with Gorillaz, an animated band that achieved global success with numerous albums, including the influential Demon Days.

Conclusion and Future Episodes

Lori and Scott wrap up the episode by reflecting on their favorite tracks from "Leisure":

• Scott prefers "Birthday" for its shoegaze qualities.
• Lori favors "There's No Other Way" for its quintessential Britpop elements.

They preview the next episode, which will explore The Ocean Blue’s 1991 album "Cerulean", coinciding with Lori’s upcoming live concert featuring the band. This continuation underscores the podcast's commitment to uncovering and analyzing pivotal albums that shaped alternative music.

“So, we're going to cover a band that I love, the Ocean Blue, and their 1991 album, Cerulean. So I'm excited not just because we're doing that album, but also because I'm going to be seeing them live in about a month or so.” (98:06)

Notable Quotes with Attribution:

• Scott Free (00:54): “But man, did these guys rock. Precise and tight and loud and distorted and complex with sometimes crazy time signatures.”

• Lori (02:21): “New Order is going to be there. Garbage. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The Go Gos. Yeah, it's an amazing lineup, so right on. I am excited.”

• Scott Free (06:13): “Leisure now, it's not their best album, not by far, but it is, I think, culturally important because this was the seeds of what would later become the Britpop movement.”

• Scott Free (31:36): “Andrew Collins declared, it ain't the future. Blur are merely the present of rock and roll.”

• Scott Free (44:49): “It's pop rock genius. I mean, just so good.”

• Lori (51:38): “But man, I think we were searching for their identity. There's some songs that are going to sound very much like the Madchester scene, but it's also as much shoegaze as anything else.”

• Scott Free (86:10): “It sounds like another band entirely… two pretty good songs, but are just shoehorned into each other.”

Final Thoughts

Accelerated Culture Podcast effectively navigates the complexities of Blur's "Leisure," balancing critical analysis with personal anecdotes. By situating the album within its historical context and exploring its lasting impact, Lori and Scott offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of this seminal work in alternative music. Whether you're a Blur aficionado or a casual music enthusiast, this episode provides valuable insights into the album that sowed the seeds for Britpop’s rise.

For more episodes and deep dives into alternative music history, visit AcceleratedCulturePodcast.com.