Gorillaz destroy the false icons

Life, as you may have noticed, is funny; not ha-ha funny but strange. For instance, pre-fab stars are less creative than the cartoon creation such as Gorillaz. And, the proof is the second album, ‘Demon Days’, with guitarist Noodle firmly on the helm. "Noodle wrote most of this album herself," says drummer Russel Hobbs. "Murdoc may try and take the credit for it, but from the basic sketches to the finished album, this was Noodle's vision."

The follow-up to the band's multi-million selling debut ‘Gorillaz’ was co-produced by Gorillaz/Damon Albarn and the ‘Grey Album’ mastermind Dangermouse. It is a darker record than the 2001’s maiden disc because the times have changed for the worse, according to Noodle: "The soul of the recording can't avoid being a manifestation of the time, climate and location of the place we were in when it was recorded. Consequently the colours are rich, dark and heavy while the rhythms are clean, strategic and relentless. It has a consciousness to it."

Gorillaz cement reputation for innovation, regeneration, fervour and [search for] excellence, has secured them a stellar guest list. Featured on the album are contributions from De La Soul [the recent #2 hit single ‘Feel Good Inc’], Neneh Cherry, Martina Topley-Bird, Roots Manuva, Ike Turner, Bootie Brown of the Pharcyde, Shaun Ryder, Dennis Hopper [reading ‘Fire Coming Out of The Monkey’s Head’]… And, Blur’s Albarn sings a few choons.

There are too many highlights amid these 15 cuts that all plainly demonstrate why Noodle (guitar), 2-D (vocals), Murdoc Nicalls (bass), and Russel Hobbs (drums) had been signed to Parlophone at their very first gig in 1998 and their debut album ‘Gorillaz’ (2001) sold 6 million albums worldwide.

No surprise than that the band was cited as one of the reasons for profit warning by their label, EMI. And, it did affect the figures [see News - Coldplay behind Crazy Frog?!

Gorillaz’ disc certainly is "Like someone has taken the first album and coloured it in," in the words of singer 2D. Or, “quality and class, man”, in the parlance of an average Garbage fan [if there are any left]; but, when a cartoon band is more real that supposedly real artists - out culture is in the deepest bog and there is little you can do… Still, party on, dude! And, dudette!

8.5/10