Blur "Beetlebum" Promo Postcard 1997

Wow. We never expected this. Blur shed their "cheeky chappy music hall" image and go lo-fi. Signifying a back-to-basics approach seemingly led by guitarist Graham Coxon, "Beetlebum" placed Blur back at the top of the Britpop Premier League after a few missteps with "The Great Escape" allowing Oasis to barge in and sit in the driving seat as Britain's biggest band.

"Beetlebum" went straight in at Number One, their second to do so, the previous being the notorious "Country House" during the Britpop battle of Summer 1995.

The artwork from here on is a departure from the preceding years. No more spoofs of beer mugs or condom packets. Here we've got someone lying in the leaves looking well out of it, reflecting the lyrical content.

Full marks again for issuing it on 7" red vinyl, and look at the tour dates. Cheap and available by queueing only. Those were the days, eh kids?