Gorillaz: Plastic Beach Album Review. A Poorly written review from 2010

The first time I heard of the band Gorillaz I thought they were a 'new cool trendy' band that released typical modern crap music. This was back in the heady days of 2001 when their debut single 'Clint Eastwood' was rising the Australian charts and the concept of a cartoon band seemed like a gimmick. 4 years on and Gorillaz had redfined what was expected from a op group. Do we really want to see ugly or middle age musicians or do we want to see something visually exciting? Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and whilst many might choose the former option, a few alternative types might like to see the latter option, even if it's just out of curiosity sake.

The architect behind Gorillaz is already rich and famous Damon Albarn of Blur fame. Of course, in America and indeed Australia Blur have made little head way into the respective markets (Song 2 aside) and so it's quite gratifying to see this musical genuis of modern times finally get the recognition he deserves worldwide.

Self titled debut album "Gorillaz" sold more than 7 million copies world wide and "Clint Eastwood" was described as 'unlike anything on the radio nowadays' and the follow up album "Demon Days" spawed huge radio hits 'Feel Good Inc" and 'Dare" as well as being hailed as one of the best albums of Albarns career - no mean feat when you consider his accolades. With 'Gorillaz' and 'Demon Days' Albarn had really made Gorillaz - and alternative music - a brand in itself, wrapped up in a visially exciting new format: an animated band. Indeed Gorillaz encapsulated an era of my life for 2005 and 2006, their music providing the background score to the goings on in my life. Listenning to the other tracks on Demon Days (the non released singles) just brings you right back to a bygone period.

So when Plastic Beach was released in 2010, there was great excitment - as well as great expectations, expectations which would unfortunatley hamper the album in the long run.

Obviously it's a lot more rewarding when an album seels a lot and all the radio singles a played on air frequently, but it's not the test of a great album; afterall, does anyone really ever hear any Radiohead songs on the radio?  Plastic Beach however hasn't had any, the reason is because listenning to the four singles from the album, none of them are exactly 'commercial'.

Lead single 'Stylo' is a classic example. Listen to the lead singles of Gorillaz and Demon Days and they have a bit of marketability to them. Stylo, however, does not. Upon first listenning it can only be described as 'boring as all shit' and 'why the fuck would they release this as the LEAD single'. As with all good worls of art, Stylo improves with each listenning. Eventually you can hear asll the little build ups and appreciate Bobby Womacks crashing chorus. Suddenly Stylo, despite being unlike anything you've really heard is really loved - but unfortunatley, commericial radio doesn't afford this kind of continuous play. After a week it was off the charts and the main weapon of Plastic Beach had been disarmed. Essentially the people who buy the album are the fans.

The album is for all intents and purposes a sequal to Demon Days. Whereas the first album relied on hip hop and acoustic moments, Demon Days and Plastic Beach are very synthesised albums, which is fine, but Plastic Beach, like any sequal, is not quite as good as the original. In fact, just at a time when we're crying out for more acoustic songs, Gorillaz deliver there most manufactured album yet.

Of course it's not all bad news, some of the songs on gere are excellent, but as a whole it's simular the Blur's 'The Great Escape" album. The Great Escape was in itself a slightly clever Britpop-gone-mad album that was pretty good. All the singles were good and successful, as was the material on the album... but up against a true classic in Oasis' "(What's the story)? Morning Glory" album, it left a bit to be desired.

As with the case with The Great Escape, so the same can be said about 'Plastic Beach'. It's decent without going past (or indeed meeting) expectations. Bsically it's a decent album without being classed as 'good'

6.5/10

Orchestral Intro: A weird starting point, whereas Demon Days started with the ominous and excellent (and a bit scary) 'Intro'. this is just a piece of crap music that would be skipped everytime. Completley pointless.

Welcome To The World Of The Plastic Beach 6/10.  Actually this song isn't as bad as it sounds the first time you heard it on Triple J radio. A few listenning the overwhelming synth (which kind of drowns out snoop dog) is kind of fun to listen to. Snoop Dogs rap is 'ok' but hardly expectional. It's an alright song I guess... but not really one that should get too much revisting.

White Flag 2/10  Good god, how does flutes and an odd drumbeat mix with rap? Doesn't gel at all despite the best effort from the rappers. Never gets played all the way through.

Rhinstone Eyes 7/10 The first good song on the album isn't quite a fully fleshed out single, and featured Albarn performing a borderline rap, but it does contain some of his best ever lyrics, and the musical chorus is catchy and pretty cool

Stylo 7/10  Once this song grows on you it becomes pretty attictive. Fun to sing along with Albarn and even more fun to yell at the top of your lungs when Bobby Womack burst into the chorus.

Superfast Jellyfish 7.5 Admittedly this piece of candy pop is very sugary, but contains the best chorus line on the album as well as the best rap. Only complaint is it should probably go on a bit longer and good have done with a few extra little bits of music.

Empire Ants 7/10 I have tyo give this a 7 because Albarn pines beautifully and it featires the only big 'come in' on the Album. Just when you think the songs completly slow, it just hits you hard.

Glitter Freeze 5.5/10  The closest the album gets to punk rock. It's average - bit repetitive.

Some Kind Of Nature 7/10  Not a bad little number with Lou Reed actually just talking his lines. Nice chorus line.

On Melancholy Hill 6.5/10  My best friend thinks this is the standout track from the album, but my mind hasnt changed since the first time I heard it. It's pretty sugary and the music is pretty safe and predicatable. A typically 'safe' choice as second single. Its decent.

Broken 8/10 The most haunting track on Plastic Beach demonstraites Albarns musical knowledge. Backed by a rap style beat, it's a must-listen

Sweepstakes 1/10 Easily the worst song on the album. No chorus, shithouse music, a pointless song.

Plastic Beach 8/10 Albarn having fun. My favoutite track. It's all bleeps and lovely singing, with a pretty interestingly played out chorus. Superb.

The rest of the songs are rated at a 4/10 and I couldn't be bothered reviwing them. The album should have ended with title track.

So while plastic beach is a decent album, it never reaches the heights or could define an era like Demon Days could. Indeed it's lack of mass commercial acceptance is indicative of the albums musical output. Basically, it's non essential, bar a few songs. Albarn would be rueing a missed oppurtunity to turn Gorillaz into the superstar band they should have been. As a result, Gorillaz is a good band rather than a great band.