Blur, Leisure
Blur’s debut LP dropped a day before Pearl Jam would release their own debut, Ten, proving that a young Damon Albarn didn’t stand a fucking chance here in America. But that would play into the band’s favor, shaping the UK pride and Cool Britannia culture that would define Britpop’s mid-’90s glory. But on Leisure, Blur condense baggy and Madchester sounds into pop bites, with “There’s No Other Way” and “Bang” becoming indie dance night staples (opener “She’s So High” would also be an indie club favorite of DJs everyone, but only early on before anyone started dancing so he or she could run to the bar to get a drink).
Released: August 26, 1991
