attack of the killa gorillaz…!
Now that Damon Albarn got his Blur itch out of the way, he’s back to making more money with his Gorillaz with Jamie Hewlett. Don’t get me wrong. You won’t find many bigger Blur fans than yours truly but that facts are facts. Alas after years of trying to break the US market,the only consolation prize for their efforts would come via an ironic twist of fate in Song 2. A song where an attempt to parody Nirvana becomes a staple in America stadiums, ballparks and arenas everywhere. So. not. fair.
Keeping with the point of this post, let’s get back to Gorillaz. Easily the best and most lovable “fictional” band going, the brainchild of Alabrn/Hewlett has simply gotten better and better with each release. The 2001 self-titled debut had a ton of promise and boasted a huge hit in Clint Eastwood. 2005’s Demon Days revealed a much deeper and darker direction that resulted in a much more satisfying listen which featured a couple of more hit singles in Feel Good, Inc. and DARE. Both songs seemingly ruled the indie discos and blogs for a good year and a half.
Now we come to the release of the third record Plastic Beach due out 8 March. I don’t think it’s possible to expect anything less than another sterling effort. Judging by the caliber of the collab0rators involved this time around, it’s fair to suspect that Damon Albarn is definitely going for broke in securing the US mainstream success he’s long sought. Lead single Stylo, featuring renaissance man Mos Def and R&B legend, Bobby Womack on vox, is a song that could very well help him get his wish.
Here is the tracklisting:
‘Orchestral Intro’
‘Welcome To The World Of The Plastic Beach’ (feat. Snoop Dogg)
‘White Flag (feat. Kano & Bashy)
‘Rhinestone Eyes’
‘Stylo’ (feat. Bobby Womack and Mos Def)
‘Superfast Jellyfish’ (feat. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul)
‘Empire Ants’ (feat. Little Dragon)
‘Glitter Freeze’ (feat. Mark E Smith)
‘Some Kind Of Nature’ (feat. Lou Reed)
‘On Melancholy Hill’
‘Broken’
‘Sweepstakes’ (feat. Mos Def & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble)
‘Plastic Beach’ (feat. Mick Jones & Paul Simonon)
‘To Binge’ (feat. Little Dragon)
‘Cloud Of Unknowing’ (feat. Bobby Womack)
‘Pirate Jet’
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“Stylo” by Gorillaz, taken from the forthcoming Virgin release, “Plastic Beach”
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