Pitchfork

We here at Pitchfork are all over Blur news like stink on a Gorilla(z). Just last week we reported that new Blur (and old Verve) axeman Simon Tong performed in public with the band for the first time evah at a record company gathering. Now we have news about the Britpopsters' upcoming album.

Entitled Think Tank, and set for release on EMI on May 5th, the album is the first studio offering from the band since 1999's 13. Knobtwister Ben Hillier is handling most of Think Tank's production, while Norman "Fatboy Slim" Cook waved his magic producing wand over two of the tracks. The album's first single, "Out of Time", which has been billed as akin to "earlier" Blur tunes such as "Tender" and "Beetlebum" by those who've already heard it (surely not us!), will be released to radio in the UK on March 3rd, and is expected to be released as a single on April 14th.

But will the album be any good? According to drummer Dave Rowntree, who moderates "Dave's Q & A" at the band's homepage, it's gonna be the shiznit. To wit: "Q: Is the album the best of your career? A: By a long way." Tracklist:

01 Ambulance
02 Out of Time
03 Crazy Beat
04 Good Song
05 On the Way to the Club
06 Brothers And Sisters
07 Caravan
08 We've Got a File on You
09 Moroccan Peoples Revolutionary Bowls Club
10 Sweet Song
11 Jets
12 Gene by Gene
13 Battery in Your Leg
14 My White Noise (hidden track)

In other Blur news, ousted guitarist Graham Coxon recently spoke with Britmag NME about his ex-mates' choice of Tong as a replacement. He expressed surprise that Damon Albarn & Co. chose a well-known guitarist, but seemed confident-- if a little cryptic-- that Tong would fit in well with the band: "You don't have to be a great player to be in Blur. Or to be in any band, really. I'm sure he'll behave." Nice save!