GorillazPlastic Beach
Virgin Records [2010]
Fire Note Says: This is how to push the envelope in 2010!
Album Review:
I don't think anyone has ever doubted that the one time Blur frontman Damon Albarn has a little bit of creative blood running through him but after checking out his new Gorillaz project Plastic Beach, you might start thinking he is visionary. Along with the aide of member Jamie Hewlett, this is a record that throws out boundaries and lets a multitude of styles and singers melt together to form another genre. You can't argue the vocal help either, as Plastic Beach features appearances by Snoop Dogg, Kano, Mos Def, De La Soul, Gruff Rhys, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, The Fall's Mark E. Smith, Little Dragon, Lou Reed, Bobby Womack, The Clash's Mick Jones, and Paul Simonon. With all of these weapons, one might think it would be easy for a group of this nature (remember they are animated monkeys) to lose their way but the complete opposite happens here, as Gorillaz don't miss a beat. It is almost as being able to hide behind this cartoon moniker, Albarn sets himself free and makes a record that probably rivals the best work in his career. It is also the superb skill set of Gorillaz to properly balance Damon's likable and smooth vocals with the rap artists, Lou Reed and the more airy Little Dragon. This is the highlight of Plastic Beach, because not one track overpowers the next, even though the styles may be totally flip of each other. At the end the day, Gorillaz presents some of the most progressive ideas I have heard in awhile and Plastic Beach simply builds its greatness with every listen!
Key Tracks: "Stylo", "Empire Ants", "Some Kind Of Nature"
Bands With Similar Fire:
Official Gorillaz Website
Gorillaz MySpace
Gorillaz Facebook
Virgin Records
-Reviewed by Natalie Colibri
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