Gorillaz [ECD] [PA] - Gorillaz > Reviews > Gorillaz....oohhh

Author's product rating:   

Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money

Advantages:	Everything, Damon Albarn,
Disadvantages:	Experimental, Deranged (good or bad? who knows)

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Lame title? Sorry I was lacking creativity at the time. Now I want to point out that I havent read any other peoples opinions of this band/album as I wanted to gage my own thoughts. So please dont heckle me if Ii go over material that has previously been written. After all, its always good to get more than one perspective.

Well before the public release of Gorillaz, I had heard and downloaded the excellent Clint Eastwood. I knew nothing of the band at this point, so when purchasing the album I wasnt quite sure what I was letting myself in for. But when the front man is none other than Damon Albarn, you could hardly go too far wrong.

'Re-Hash' is a tuneful blend of great guitar riffs and Damon's amazing voice. It's a great start to the album and perfectly introduces you to the sort of music you are likely to hear on the rest of the album. Don't understand what hes singing now? Well you never will.

'5/4' is too similiar to Re-Hash in my opinion, just with different crazy and undeciferable lyrics. It does have its own differences and identity, but doesnt stand out from the rest of the album. Best bit of this song is I know everyone will be sining "You told your dad on me" if this is ever released.

'Tomorrow Comes Today' is one of the best songs on the album, mainly because it's slower and you can sing along to it. I dont mind the fact the first two songs are hard to do that, but it is nice to be able to sing along now and again. Aparently this will be the Gorillaz next release, and I think it will change alot of peoples minds about the band and their lyrical ability.

'New Genious' is another strange tune. Good music and bizarre lyrics, you will sing along, even if you have no idea what hes saying. Dont let it put you off, its snazzy, jazzy and funky.

'Clint Eastwood' is the song that made Gorillaz what they are, famous. I'm not too sure how long this song has been about, but I had it months before Gorillaz had ever released an album. It is a crowd favourite, and possibly the best song on the album, although after constant radio play, its hard not to cringe when hearing it for the millionth time.

'Man Research' combines insanity and insanity in one huge ball of insanity. At this point you get almost frightened by how different this is from Blur, and that is a good thing. Lyrics, not a clue. Music, very catchy. Can you sing to it, sure! Yyayayayayayayayayayayaya, yeaaaaah-yah!

'Punk' is one of my personal favourites. My only complaint is that for a fast paced song, it isnt fast enough. It resembles in many ways B.L.U.R.E.M.I from Blur's album 13. It finishes too soon, as will happen when you whack all your energy into a small amount of time. Great tune though, definately one to sing out loud too (and clap). Lyrics, again, not a clue, at this stage Im so rocked up I dont care.

'Sound Check' is slowww, so very very slow. But this is a much more mellow song from the rest of the album. Damon sounds like he could cry any second, and that is a strength he used well in "No Distance Left To Run" on the aforementioned Blur album 13. It does turn slightly harder, but keeping its mellow vibe throughout. Hard to label this one, just listen for yourself.

'Double Bass' is the weakest song on the album, its basically Gorillaz using music instead of Damon Albarn. I dont quite understand the reasoning for this song, as it progresses Damon comes into it as a speaking voice. A very curious inclusion.

'Rock the House' is different. It uses the soul like sounds of the man affectionatly known as "the bloke who does the rapping in Clint Eastwood." Slightly more comedy, and the music stays brilliant. This is Huggy Bear in a limo with leather seats, kapiche?

'19-2000' is the song of the year. Possibly the best song on the album and boats one of the most infectious chorus' in the history of music. Get the cool, get the cool shoeshine is fast becomming a cult phrase. This is a party tune, no doubt, crank it up and get down, as the kids say. Damon Albarm at his very best.

'Latin Simone' I dont like. Maybe because its in latin (I presume). It just doesnt go with the rest of the album, and I find myself skipping this song without hearing a note. Sorry Gorillaz fans :-(

'Starshine' I do like. Another slower song, very mellow, very quiet, you can listen to this in bed, you can either let your parents here this one, they might just like it. Damon is again magnifique, the music is again experimental and different, and yet again they make it work.

'Slow Country' gets us back into the faster, funnier, weirder, what the hell lyrics are they phase. This is a good tune, its another one of those that are hard to pin a genre on. But I like it, and thats all that matters to me. As the song goes on it gets more beautiful, good work Gorillaz (in his best Charlie from Charlie's Angels voice)

'M1 A1' is superb. The thing I like about this song is the way it starts off spooky, sampling a voice from an old horror flick shouting "Hello, is anybody there" over and over again. The music thuds and winds us up towards the climax of the impending guitars and drums. Listening to the song again, I can see why I liked it so much first time round, the way it weaves us a path and spins us a web, its enchanting and magical. And of course you can play "music kick in chicken" - a simple game where the last person to guess when the guitars will kick in wins.

That concludes my seminar on experimental pyschological traits in monkeys, please buy this album, you will not be dissapointed. I recommend you listen a few times before writing it off. I was horrorfied by how bad I thought the album was first time round, give it time. Like a fine wine, it needs to age.