Blur v Oasis

cymrococh · November 14, 2006

http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1947451,00.html

It's like 1995 all over again! Chris Evans dominates the media, young men have spare tyres around their stomachs and the news is on at 10pm. Oh, and Blur are at Oasis's throats! Yes in a row of almost crippling relevancy, Alex James has drummed up some controversy for his upcoming VH1 show The Nation's Favourite Albums by claiming he's affronted that (What's the Story) Morning Glory made it into the list, while Blur did not.

"I think Oasis are slightly ridiculous characters", said James in tones befitting someone who lives in a big house, a very big house in the country. "They've been grotesque for a while." Which may be kinda spurious (it's not as if Oasis were ever shy, retiring pacifists), but at least makes the row sound contemporary.

Finished James: "I take solace from the fact that the two biggest bands in the world, U2 and The Rolling Stones, are not in it." Yes, James is slyly comparing his band to U2 and the Stones. Somebody has to.

In other Blur news - they will never tour again. That's the word from Dave Rowntree, who blames it all on his kids. "The days of Blur doing a tour will not happen. Most of the band have kids now, and when you're a touring band you have to make a choice, so there will never be a return to that."

Which is all a bit final, though presumably not legally binding in the event of said kids driving Rowntree into penury and making him think that, yes, perhaps a quick tour of a couple of continents to raise a few hundred grand might not be such a bad idea after all. Ginger Rowntree, giving an interview to BBC 6 music, went on to confirm reports that the band will record a new LP in the coming year. "We have even set a date for it," he said which, what with playschool commitments, is a feat in itself.

"It makes you, like, warm inside." To what is 15-year-old Bridgette Roberts referring? The time she accidentally swallowed a lump of plutonium? A new combination menu at KFC? Or the spiritual sensation felt when singing U2 songs in church?

Obviously, it's the latter, because Roberts is part of the growing movement of "U2charists", churches which have swapped singing the Lord is my Shepherd for Pride (In the Name of Love).

The trend, which first began last year in York Harbor, Maine, has, according to the Mirror, now spread to 15 states and 150 Episcopal churches. Celebrants even have the opportunity to read the lyrics off a TV screen as things go on.

Any innovation in popular religion is obviously to be applauded but questions do remain, such as:

Have U2 given over their copyright to the Lord for nothing?

And what, beyond a collection going round the room halfway through, is there to distinguish all this from karaoke?

Bigal · November 14, 2006

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