There's No Other Way Review

07/13/2005 4:47 AM, AMG


Blur's breakthrough single, reaching a respectable eight on the U.K. charts, "There's No Other Way" is obviously a product of its era -- shuffling baggy/indie beats, a light psych/funk riff from Coxon and amiable enough singing from Albarn. It's good, but it's little surprise they never chose to revisit things like it in the future. The B-sides are a mixed bag, but the unquestioned highlight is "Inertia." Musically it actually sounds a bit in the Cure/Jane's Addiction vein, albeit at its calmest, Coxon's softly chiming guitar leading the way, and the whole is a sweet little waft of dreaminess interspersed with some gently fried moments here and there. As for the other cuts, the low-key "Mr. Briggs," written about a friend of Albarn's, sees the singer trying out the neo-Ray Davies lyrical approach he'd more aggressively test in future, while "I'm All Over" is a short, rough little number that jams along and not much more. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide