Albums to watch

The Spinning Top

Graham Coxon

The Spinning Top

Folk, blues and ambient exploration in the seventh solo release from the ex-Blur guitarist

ADM rating[?]

6.5

Label
Transgressive
UK Release date
11/05/2009
  1. 8.0 |   Scotland on Sunday

    A predominantly acoustic album of easy charm and strong character.
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  2. 8.0 |   The Independent

    Manages to push beyond his former limitations, ironically by delving back into the tangled underbrush of British folk music, particularly as it was re-imagined during the inventive heyday of the 60s folk boom.
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  3. 8.0 |   The Sunday Times

    Coxon takes a detour down the folk road. And what a fruitful decision it proves, on an album that captures to a sometimes heart-stoppingly beautiful degree his instinctive touch
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  4. 8.0 |   Uncut

    A really very enjoyable record, displays some of the finest aspects of the guitarist’s talents, but chief among them, those that pertain to Coxon the folkie, and acoustic guitar stylist.
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  5. 8.0 |   NME

    Despite it being an album essentially born of a man learning a new guitar technique, it’s arguably the most consistently fine album of his prolific solo career.
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  6. 8.0 |   PopMatters

    One of his most honest, unabashed, unpretentious, and downright joyful records. I couldn’t be happier for him
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  7. 7.0 |   Clash

    What impresses most about this album is not Graham Coxon’s dedication to a style, but his own individual songwriting skill. With a Blur reunion in the offing, it is difficult to see such a unique talent being easily consumed back into the group dynamic.
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  8. 7.0 |   musicOMH

    The innocent charm of The Spinning Top is certainly a world away from Albarn's clever postmodern fusions. We will see if the chemistry between these two contrasting musicians is still there when Blur reunite this summer.
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  9. 6.0 |   The List

    There’s a reason Coxon wasn’t the vocalist in Blur, but this weakness is also a strength making the songs more personal in their imperfections.
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  10. 6.0 |   Rave Magazine

    While the more compact scratchy-yet-sleek pop tones of his last two records would make more ideal entry points into the Coxon solo world, the true believers have plentiful reasons to stick around
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  11. 6.0 |   Evening Standard

    Will not appeal to those who don't care for the likes of John Martyn and Martin Carthy.
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  12. 4.7 |   Pitchfork

    Stephen Street produces again, and Robyn Hitchcock is among the guests, but even they can't make up for repetitive, one-dimensional songs
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  13. 4.0 |   The Observer

    Casts him as a finger-picking folkie in the Nick Drake/John Martyn mould. Sadly, the results are underwhelming.
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  14. 4.0 |   The Quietus

    It's hard to listen to Spinning Top without yearning to hear the guitarist plug it in and do what he does best
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Graham Coxon: The Spinning Top

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  • 1. Look Into The Light (Album Version) £0.89
  • 2. this House (Album Version) £0.89
  • 3. In The House (Album Version) £0.89
  • 4. If You Want Me (Album Version) £0.89
  • 5. Perfect Love (Album Version) £0.89
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  • 13. Far From Everything (Album Version) £0.89
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