blur Leisure (Special Edition) (double CD, £11.75)

Blur is loosely lumped in with Britain's Manchester Sound; a kind of '60s-psychedelia-meets-dance-music scene. Unlike others in the genre, however, Blur parks most of the disco influences at the door in favor of hard-edged pop. Leisure's most accessible moments, like the singles "She's So High" and "There's No Other Way," blend captivating, fluid melodies with hypnotic, psyched-up instrumentation. More experimental moments like "Repetition" and "Bad Day" are reminiscent of early, Syd Barrett-led Pink Floyd; the dreamy atmospheres firmly anchored by sparse, chunky guitar riffs. Blur will appeal to those who don't mind having their fond recollections of the '60s fused to modern, guitar-driven pop. ~ Roch Parisien Details 1. She's So High 2. Bang 3. Slow Down 4. Repetition 5. Bad Day 6. Sing 7. There's No Other Way 8. Fool 9. Come Together 10. High Cool 11. Birthday 12. Wear Me Down 13. I Know (Extended Mix /Remix) 14. Down 15. There's No Other Way (Extended Version ) 16. Inertia 17. Mr Briggs 18. I'm All Over 19. Won't Do It 20. Day Upon Day (Live ) 21. There's No Other Way (Blur Remix ) 22. Bang (Extended Version ) 23. Explain 24. Luminous 25. Berserk 26. Uncle Love 27. I Love Her (Demo Version) 28. Close