Album Review: Plastic Beach by Gorillaz

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Unfortunately, the latest album by cartoon rockers Gorillaz doesn't present anything nearly as accessible or addictive "Feel Good Inc." and "Clint Eastwood". It's almost as if those two hits were an accident occurring in the ten-year collaboration between Blur's former frontman Damon Albarn and comic book artist Jamie Hewlett

Then again, both Albarn and Hewlett never seemed to be too concerned with making hits. Their projects have always put the art before the commercial aspects, and it shows on their latest release Plastic Beach. Though the set features their most impressive list of guest stars–from Snoop Dogg to Lou Reed–the four fictional band members are never upstaged by their collaborators. In other words, it remains a Gorillaz album from start to finish.

Although there are some misses here and there (see "Glitter Freeze" and "Sweepstakes"), the album is also listenable from the first song to the last. The alleged third single "On Melancholy Hill" stands out particularly. It's one of four songs on the album that doesn't include a cameo from another artist, which may be a sign that the band should start relying more on the vocal talents of 2D and Noodle. Yes, those are their actual names, and they're not real people. Get over it.

– Dewitt

One thought on “Album Review: Plastic Beach by Gorillaz

  1. Very, very lame imitation of Pet Shop Boys at their worst. Cliche’ melody and rhythm…nothing original or compelling about this at all. Sorry!

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