Gorillaz

Gorillaz are one of my favorite bands. I like them for two reasons: First, their music is great! Second, they know how to market themselves. There’s a certain mystery to them that makes me want to know more about them. They blend a lot of different genres of music together, like Beck, and always end up with a solid product.

Their first two CDs were full-blown CDs with pop singles with various, odd sounds laid as the foundation. But their newest album, Plastic Beach, is more of a concept album built around Damon Albarn’s leadership in collaborating with others and Jamie Hewlett’s (Tank Girl) artwork. A lot of people were really taken back by the lack of pop, radio-friendly singles, but I personally love it! This album is quite a masterpiece when listened to as a whole, as you flip through the liner notes (yes, the liner notes help, which means that you’ll have to buy the CD, as opposed to download illegally).

Trust me, check out their website and listen to the album on good headphones or speakers, with the liner notes in hand. This album will take you through an amazing journey of how the Gorillaz got onto Plastic Beach and what Plastic Beach really is about.

Gorrilaz are also releasing a video every few weeks in support of their new album. It really makes you appreciate the album and group even more.

Why does Murdoch have those suitcases filled with money? Why are there police lights on the shore when he cracks open his bottle of Champaign? Who's trying to kill him? Why is the sniper right-handed?


Why is 2D alone? What's he staring at? What is he thinking about as he stares out the window? Who was that who gassed 2D? Is 2D on Plastic Beach? Where is he and why?


Is that Noodles? No wait! It's a Cyborg Noodles! What's going on! Where's the real Noodles? Or is that the real Noodles? Who made Cyborg Noodles?


Aww snap! Who's the gurl in the mask with the gun? Why are there pirates? Where is that ship heading? Why does she look like Noodles? Is she the real Noodles? But I thought Noodles was a boy? Or is she the Cyborg Noodles? Or is she Noodles' twin sister? What's going on here! I'm looking forward to the "Meloncholy Hill" video.


Why is Bruce Willis chasing them? Is that Cyborg Noodles in the back seat? Where are they going?


The Gorillaz rarely tour because it's just too hard to get everyone who's collaborated on the albums together. A few years back they released a a live DVD and it seems like they're going to try to do a few lives shows again! They've always tried to play their live shows with lots of very cool videos and animations of the cartoon characters performing but I think it's just too hard to sync the animations with the real band playing. I think they're just going to try to perform on stage like a regular band now... interesting... I hope they don't completely let go of the characters because I think they really add more appeal to the band.