The Great Escape by Blur - Uhune

ALBUM

In the simplest terms, The Great Escape is the flip side of Parklife. Where Blur's breakthrough album was a celebration of the working class, drawing on British pop from the '60s and reaching through the '80s, The Great Escape concentrates on the suburbs, featuring a cast of characters all trying to cope with the numbing pressures of modern life. Consequently, it's darker than Parklife, even if the melancholia is hidden underneath the crisp production and catchy melodies. Even the bright, infectious numbers on The Great Escape have gloomy subtexts, whether it's the disillusioned millionaire of "Country House" and the sycophant of "Charmless Man" or the bleak loneliness of "Globe Alone" and "Entertain Me." Naturally, the slower numbers are even more despairing, with the acoustic "Best Days," the lush, sweeping strings of "The Universal," and the stark, moving electronic ballad "Yuko & Hiro" ranking as the most affecting work Blur has ever recorded. However, none of this makes The Great Escape a burden or a difficult album. The music bristles with invention throughout, as Blur delves deeper into experimentation with synthesizers, horns, and strings; guitarist Graham Coxon twists out unusual chords and lead lines, and Damon Albarn spits out unexpected lyrical couplets filled with wit and venomous intelligence in each song. But Blur's most remarkable accomplishment is that it can reference the past -- the Scott Walker homage of "The Universal," the Terry Hall/Fun Boy Three cop on "Top Man," the skittish, XTC-flavored pop of "It Could Be You," and Albarn's devotion to Ray Davies -- while still moving forward, creating a vibrant, invigorating record.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo

1. Stereotypes (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant Engineer: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Graham Coxon
Dave Rowntree
Alex James
Damon Albarn; Composer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production

2. Country House (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon
Alex James; Composer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Producer: Alex James
Damon Albarn
Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

3. Best Days (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James
Damon Albarn; Composer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

4. Charmless Man (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Graham Coxon
Simon Clarke
Tim Sanders; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon
Alex James; Composer
Violin: Louisa Fuller
Rick Koster; Performer
Vocals: Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Mixing: Stephen Street
John Smith; Production
Producer: Alex James
Damon Albarn
Stephen Street; Production
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production

5. Fade Away (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James
Damon Albarn; Composer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

6. Top Man (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James
Damon Albarn; Composer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

7. The Universal (2012 Remaster)

Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Angela Murrell; Performer
Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Graham Coxon
Simon Clarke
Tim Sanders; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon
Alex James; Composer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Mixing: Stephen Street
John Smith; Production
Producer: Alex James
Damon Albarn
Stephen Street; Production
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

8. Mr Robinson's Quango (2012 Remaster)

Composer: Graham Coxon
Alex James
Damon Albarn
Dave Rowntree; Composer
Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Alex James
Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Graham Coxon
Simon Clarke
Tim Sanders; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production

9. He Thought of Cars (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James
Damon Albarn; Composer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

10. It Could Be You (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling; Production
Assistant Engineer: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James
Damon Albarn; Composer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

11. Ernold Same (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Composer: Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon
Dave Rowntree
Alex James; Composer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Narrator: The Right On Ken Livingstone
Ken Livingstone; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon
Tim Sanders; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Remastering Engineer: Stephen Street
Frank Arkwright; Production

12. Globe Alone (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James
Damon Albarn; Composer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

13. Dan Abnormal (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James
Damon Albarn; Composer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

14. Entertain Me (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Assistant Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Production
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Composer: Dave Rowntree
Graham Coxon
Alex James
Damon Albarn; Composer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Simon Clarke
Graham Coxon; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Graham Coxon
Damon Albarn; Performer
Producer: Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production

15. Yuko and Hiro (2012 Remaster)

Banjo: Graham Coxon; Performer
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Cello: Ivan Mccermoy; Performer
Drums: Dave Rowntree; Performer
Assistant: Tom Girling
Julia Gardner; Production
Additional Engineer: Julia Gardner
Tom Girling; Other
Additional Vocals: Cathy Gillat; Other
Bass Guitar: Alex James; Performer
Engineer: John Smith; Production
Guitar: Graham Coxon; Performer
Composer: Alex James
Dave Rowntree
Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Composer
Organ: Damon Albarn; Performer
Piano: Damon Albarn; Performer
Saxophone: Tim Sanders
Graham Coxon
Simon Clarke; Performer
Synthesizer: Damon Albarn; Performer
Trombone: Neil Sidwell; Performer
Trumpet: Roddy Lorimer; Performer
Viola: John Metcalfe; Performer
Violin: Rick Koster
Louisa Fuller; Performer
Vocals: Damon Albarn
Graham Coxon; Performer
Producer: Cathy Gillat
Stephen Street; Production
Remastering Engineer: Frank Arkwright
Stephen Street; Production
Primary Artist: Blur; Main Performer

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

15 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

56 minutes and 57 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1000x1000 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

4/15 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Brit Pop, Brit Rock

Label

Parlophone UK

Music Distribution Service

Warner

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Sep 10, 1995

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

5099997263050