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Since its creation in 1998, Gorillaz has become one of the most unique and recognizable groups in music, mainly because it doesn’t exist.
Virtually created by British musician Damon Albarn, the group is comprised entirely of cartoon characters who have found their niche in the music industry throughout the years.
Like any other group, these computer-generated musicians have also found a way to evolve their sound, and this step forward is on display for the Gorillaz in its latest release "Plastic Beach."
It has always been difficult to categorize Gorillaz into a specific genre.
Listeners could place the group anywhere between rap, techno, R&B or pop and be able to justify it with specific songs.
For "Plastic Beach," this path of genre confusion continues to mystify listeners.
On "Welcome to the World of Plastic Beach," the group calls upon the vocals of rapper Snoop Dogg to help give the album a memorable opening piece.
The track showcases a side of Snoop that hasn’t been seen in a while – the laid-back rapper.
Snoop provides the vocals in this track, which exhibits a slower, funky style that we are used to from the Willie Nelson of rap.
Snoop isn’t the only well-known artist Gorillaz called on for this album. Rapper Mos Def lent his vocals to two tracks on "Plastic Beach," including the catchy song "Sweepstakes."
Can listeners understand what Mos Def is saying on "Sweepstakes?" Probably not.
Does the track make any sense at all? Absolutely not.
In the end, tracks like "Sweepstakes" are truly the definition of Gorillaz music – catchy, stupid fun with a little bit of George Clinton-esque funk thrown into the mix.
In pursuit of this magical mix between serious music and over-the-top entertainment, Gorillaz missed the mark on a few tracks.
In "Glitter Freeze," an all instrumental track, the group practically popped an artery in my head with sounds that could only be described as two robots having intercourse on top of a synthesizer.
Likewise, "Rhinestone Eyes" sounds like a Fatboy Slim knockoff more than original Gorillaz music.
Luckily for the group, songs like "Some Kind of Nature" help drag this album from the depths thanks to a comical cameo by old-time rocker Lou Reed.
"Plastic Beach" doesn’t top the band’s debut album, "Feel Good Inc.," but tracks like "Some Kind of Nature" help turn the CD into an above average effort for the pixilated group.
Grade: B-
- i really find it annoying how you abbreviated "snoop dogg" to "snoop", as if you two were best pals or something
- glitter freeze was not an instrumental. it did have a singer in it!
- "sweepstakes" doesn't make sense TO YOU, simply because you have no imagination.. to the rest of us it is perfectly clearget a real job.