Blur's Albarn Goes 'Crazy'

Blur/Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn has compiled a solo album out of raw demos and unformed song fragments that he recorded on a four-track in hotel rooms while on tour in the U.S. earlier this year. Titled "Democrazy," the album is set to become a collector's item and will be released Nov. 24 in the U.K. only on vinyl in a limited edition of 5,000 copies via the singer's own Honest Jon's label.

"It deconstructs everything the music industry has built up," Albarn says. "But I thought it would be interesting to let people hear a side to the music-making process they never get to hear. It's the lowest lo-fi record ever."

Last year, Albarn released "Mali Music," which recorded on location in collaboration with various African artists, but "Democrazy" is his first genuinely solo release. "I hope it gives other people the confidence to put out records like this. I'd like to make it a series," he adds.

Blur is on a European tour through December in support of its latest Parlophone/Virgin album, "Think Tank," after which Albarn plans a one-off solo date Dec. 22 in London.

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