It's such a personal thing, isn't it? How one compiles a list of their favorite albums. Lyrics and melodies forever attached to a memory and filed away; only to be resurrected every time the first strains of sound reaches your ears. 13 by Blur is one such album for me. Taking a huge risk, Blur continued dessimation of their trade mark Brit pop sound; a journey initiated with their previous self titled masterpiece. But something about 13 struck a chord with me. Buried beneath the fuzzed out melodies and stunningly warped production courtesy of William Orbit were some strikingly personal lyrics about the loss of love. My favorite subject. Damon Albarn went through some fairly traumatic times during the recording of this album: the break up of his longtime relationship with Elastica's Justine Frischmann and, unbeknownst to the listener, his partnership with guitarist Graham Coxon. 13 would be the last time the two appeared on a Blur album together. For your listening (dis)pleasure, four tracks off of one of my favorite Blur albums:

Blur: 1992

Blur: Coffee & TV

Blur: Mellow Song

Blur: No Distance Left To Run