Every great band is destroyed by their success…cartoon bands are no exceptions.
-Noodle
After a looong absence (at least to me) the Gorillaz have returned with the next opus in their cartoon adventure that brings together this unique blend of punk, dub reggae and Hip Hop…The band; Murdoc Nicalls on bass, 2D lead vocals, Russell Hobbs drums and Noodle on guitar.
After receiving “pop cult”-ure status and fame the Gorillaz seemed to disappear off the map…but now with this new album we now know what they were up to….
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According to press releases after the fame of the first album died down Murdoc took off to Mexico for cheap Tequila and senoritas…he was caught passing bad checks and was thrown in a Mexican jail.
2D returned to Britain to work as a Carny and his Dad’s fairground and build up his confidence after the throttling he took from Murdoc during the first episode.
Russell had a breakdown once he discovered that his ultimate Hip Hop album, “Seventh Heaven Hip Hop & Harmony” would cause freaky vibrations across the planet and Noodle…the 10 year old Zen guitarist of the group discovered that she was trained with 23 other kids to be a part of an elite Japanese military team…
Now they have returned to Kong Studios to produce their second album titles “Demon Days”
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With production of all 15 tracks by DJ Danger Mouse, the album is an eclectic blend of beats, rhythm and head nod…. “Dirty Harry” which is a follow up to “Clint Eastwood” (no duh), incorporates the Children’s Choir San Fernandez Youth Chorus as well as verse by Bootie Brown…it is a mellow but definitely progressive track that shows how Gorillaz can transfer beats and strings with almost angelic singer with rap verse…
“Feel Good Inc.” which if the world was fair would garner worldwide airplay just for the ingenuity in the production of the song. 2D’s voice saying “Feel Good” almost sounds instrumental…featuring De La holding it down adding a hook that will play in your mind along with the beat of the drums, guitar, bass and mix board.
Basically if you felt the Gorillaz joints in the past you will definitely feel this CD…with guest appearances by the likes of MF Doom on “November Has Come”, The Roots Manuva on “All Alone”. A take off on the Grinch tale with a message as read by Dennis Hopper on “Fire Coming Out Of The Monkey’s Head” and the London Community Gospel Choir on “Don’t Get Lost In Heaven” and the title track “Demon Days”.
Definitely a must have for progressives who can see through the mist of music and Hip Hop’s varying futures that could be…and if this album is an example of what could be…then it should be…this album is like Hip Hop, Euro-Club, Rock, Punk, Gospel…a touch of everything and new to the planet in itself. Pick it up…just because Ike Turner is on it…you won’t be sorry.
