Gorillaz, 'Plastic Beach' (Virgin)
Blur frontman's cartoon crusaders face eco horror.
By Jon Dolan 03.01.10 8:36 PM
Damon Albarn claims the concept for the third Gorillaz album came to him while watching people and animals forage through a Malian garbage dump. Indeed, most every one of these lazy, hazy burbling bangers evokes the life cycle of human waste (shrink-wrap, microwaves, money). But the real reusable materials here are actual humans -- i.e., more cameos than you can shake a banana at -- which Albarn recycles and filters through his gears like old aluminum.
There's Snoop Dogg mumbling about the end of the world on the minimalist dub-funk rumbler "Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach," Lou Reed rapping, "Well, me, I like plastics…" over music-hall bounce on "Some Kind of Nature," punk brick-chucker Mark E. Smith asking for directions against the industrial grind of "Glitter Freeze." On the first single, "Stylo," husky soul great Bobby Womack and Mos Def testify about something or other over Planet Rock robo-funk that suggests they wrote their bits while tuning up the flux capacitor.
It's a jumble. But Albarn's love of "Waterloo Sunset" poignancy adds emotional weight. No surprise then that album closer "Cloud of Unknowing" fades in and out with the sound of something natural -- seagulls (reportedly recorded at a landfill!) and Womack sounding like a forlorn country singer as he stares up at the satellite sky, "waiting to see what the morning will bring."
LISTEN: Plastic Beach album stream
Plastic beach is precisely what all true Gorillaz fans have been waiting for with great anticipation. This album has a dynamic equilibrium between rapping from unique featured artists, and the extremely rewarding and grandiose verses performed by none other than Damon.
Each song demonstrates a unique twist on the electric sound and imparts a deeper significance than that of the typical trash that is widely broadcast and accepted throughout The States.
Although I do thoroughly value the contributions by such a diverse multitude of artists, the coexistence of Damon and Lou Reed in "Some Kind of Nature" satisfies on a different level. Damon, thanks for diverting our ears from the invariably breeding in vogue rubbish.
simply the best of the gorillaz albums. i was prepared not to like it, but this may be the best album of 2010. fantastic songs and concept! infectious grooves abound. a happy, thrilling surprise.
i didnt hear it
You know, I was available to guest on this album using this unique, original device I call "auto-tune". Maybe we can hook up for a B-Side.
Damon! How's it been chap?
Hey Damon! I'm ashamed to admit it but your record is way better than Chinese Democracy!
this review scares me a little
ummm... cloud of unknowing is not the closer. it is the track before the closer. the closer is pirate jet.
please listen to albums before reviewing them
This album is something special, I need to get on a remix.
I'm on me way to the record shop right now to pick one up, I hope the rest gets me as chuffed as Stylo does.
I worked really hard on this album, and am happy to give it to you, just please no "Piratecy"
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