Blur will follow up it's 1997's self-titled release with "13," due March 30, according the band's label.

The first single, to be released around the first of that month, is an anthemic ballad called "Tender," featuring the London Gospel Community Choir. The track was originally called "Tender is the Night" and is over seven minutes long in its original form. With lyrics that include the phrases, "Come on, come on, get through this," and "Love's the greatest thing," it's been likened in the British press to songs like the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want," and John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance." We'll see if it can hold up to those comparisons.

Plans for a video for the single are just now being finalized.

The album is Blur's sixth album, and was produced at London's Sarm Studios by William Orbit, best known for his recent programming and production work with Madonna, Seal and Peter Gabriel. He's done remixes in the past with Blur. (see [article id="1426277"]"Moby, Thurston Moore, Orbit Remix Blur"[/article]).