Customer Reviews

Golden D

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had been warned off of Graham Coxon's solo works, told that they were a little too emotionally off-kilter, a little too overly sincere... but I'm glad I actually tracked down this fantastic album and listened for myself. I'm a huge fan of Blur, and particularly Graham's way of addressing his instrument - he doesn't play guitar the way that most rock leads do; his solos are generally minimal, and he saves his most beautiful and extraordinary licks for tucking behind the verses. "The Golden D" is Graham both working out his inner demons and neuroses without being compromised by Damon Albarn's songwriting, and the result is a dense, intensely personal inner landscape. "Jamie Thomas" is a metal-punk explosion on the subject of Graham's skateboarding idol, "Fags and Failure", "Leave Me Alone" and "My Idea of Hell" are very much what they say they are. But just when you've given up Graham as a tortured soul with horrifically bad self-esteem, he brings out my favourite track on the album, "Oochy Woochy" - an absurdly funny and light-hearted romp with a drunken off-kilter saxophone riff that will get stuck in your head for hours. I think Graham Coxon is an amazing talent, with or without Blur - for someone who, even in the studio, has to hide when he sings because he's so shy about his voice, he has no such self-consciousness when working on his own material. This is an album I will treasure for years.

I really enjoyed this record for its restlessness. It sure doesn't sound like Graham's settling down any. Some of the cuts just completely rock with no abandon. The more experimental stuff is interesting, as well. Lake is quite beautiful in its ragged rhythms and building sonic textures. I was quite impressed that he played all the instruments on the whole album. I see this, his solo career, as a continuing vent/experiment for Graham. This album didn't blow me away, but considering that the whole thing was supposedly made in 2 weeks, it's not bad at all. The next one will surely be even better.

I wouldn't really be able to recommend it casually to just anyone, but if you like Graham's work, then give it a whirl.

Graham once again proves that he is'nt the silent side kick for blur's Damon and has more talent than we'd ever guessed. His indie boy vocals on Blur's 'coffee and tv" are surpassed by THE GOLDEN D and this album places him up there with such American indie ledgends as Pavement. To coin a phrase this record rocks and it I'm sure the volume will be pumped up as thousands of grungy teenage art students from Essex listen to it. They'll understand his angst and love the tunes. Wicked album

That's right, Graham Coxon, guitarist of Blur, is past the 30 year mark. But listening to his second solo LP, you'd never know it - "The Golden D" is full of almost teenage angst. It kicks off with the loud abrasive guitars of "Jamie Thomas", dedicated to his favorite skateboarder of the same name. You can't really tell what he's saying under all the racket. "Satan I Gatan" is an instrumental, displaying the "death metal techno" approach he mentioned as an influence on his band's latest effort "13." The fourth track, "Fame and Fortune," is a cover of a song by 80s American postpunk band Mission of Burma. You'd think it would be something frightening and obscure, taking Graham's taste into consideration, but it's actually the catchiest thing here. Graham finally lets his voice be heard somewhat clearly, gaining confidence. "The Lake" is a beautiful, almost out of place psychedelic instrumental with lovely guitar work. "Fags and Failure" returns to that teenage angst pattern..."fags and failure every day, fags and failure every night, fags and failure till I lay down and die." Then there's "Leave Me Alone," where Graham mumbles through verses and then suddenly shouts "LEAVE ME ALONE!" in a way that could make you jump out of your seat. "Keep Hope Alive" is the track most similar to the songs on his solo debut "The Sky is Too High," quiet and despairing. "Oochy Woochy" is an oddity - a sort of jazz piece with the repetitious refrain "oochy woochy, yeah, baby." There's another Mission of Burma cover, "That's When I Reach For My Revolver," which is also surprisingly catchy. A few less distinguished, but still accomplished tracks round out the record. Any Blur fan knows Graham is the one with the taste for noise, and it shows on this album. However, on some numbers he also shows that he hasn't totally abandoned the idea of hooks and a pop sensibility. An interesting and invigorating listen.

Graham is definately a real artist on his own... no doubt that he doesn't need Blur anymore... but blur might need him NOW !! too late... graham is doing his best and that's OUR pleasure !! Thank you so much Graham !!!!!

This album starts out fast and loud and cools down a bit in terms of tempo, so it's hard to categorize. I think of it in terms of Graham's initially getting out all of his pent-up Blur frustration at having to color between the lines too often (though don't get me wrong, Blur is fantastic), then realizing that yes...he CAN make intelligible and crafty and tuneful songs too. This is a short but sweet album, and it's definitely worth getting if only for the "Jamie Thomas" crashing guitar blaring that will make you jump out of your seat when the first track comes on, and also for the unforgettable "Ootchy Kootchie" song at the end. Cheers Graham, keep it up.

An altogether decent album, but too much influenced by Mr Coxon's passing fads (ie skateboarding). "Oochy woochy" and "That's when I reach for my revolver" make excellent singles. If you can get the CD on sale it's worth it. As a side note, the merchandise at transcopic.com (and the site in general) needs work.

This is one of the worste albums Ive ever bought (and then returned). It was worth the argument with the store manager to unload this Mega-Death meets Metallica nonsense. I liked Sky is Too High, and love Blur. I cannot believe the other reviewers were able to stomache it.

You wanna hear lo-fi noise, shouts, headkicking screams and feedbacks ? That's the record for you. If you like songs, well-written song, if you need to hear something nice coming from the Old Europe and not just noise made by one of Blur members, nerd guitarman G. Coxon, please check out something else like Coldplay or David Gray. Even Dave Matthews would reccomend it...