Ross Clelland, Journalist

Burning coffins in the forest, darkened beckoning waters, boobies. Well, that’s all those boxes checked.

And that voice still ripples through you.

Which, no matter how you feel about their music, is a fairly impressive boast to put on the press release.

America hasn't taken the Newcastle grime out of them just yet.

"The ineffably stylish Mr Neale's music is a sometimes confusing thing."

Blur have handled the whole putting aside of differences for the sake of art and/or commerce far more smoothly.

Whether he will now fill stadia, or end up at State Fairs or suburban Sydney RSL Clubs with this change of direction remains to be seen.

"Perkins does the dark croon as effortlessly as ever, but throws in some smartarse when things get too serious."