cntaur5's Full Review: Demon Days [PA] by Gorillaz
I recently purchased Demon Days by the hip-hop/alternative band Gorillaz after initially reading Epinions.com Music Category Lead lambchops review. It’s no secret that the Gorillaz are known as the "first virtual hip-hop group". The band consist of Damon Albarn, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and Kid Koala and a few others; the band's design or cartoonish look is the brain child of artist Jamie Hewlett. One of the things you’ll immediately notice is that each song on this CD is different and does not sound the same as this album offers a lot of unique variety, and at times extremely creative music. Initially I was not attracted to this group simply feeling their musical experimentation was too far off the chart, at least until now.
The word strange does not even begin to describe the eerie opening on the introductory track. The introductory piece is followed by, the song, Last Living Souls that offers rather bland serving of lyrics rested on a beat that will keep you up like a fresh cup of coffee. These two tracks serve more as one complete introduction to the beautiful and chilling, "Dirty Harry", at times this song sounds like something you would find on an old Prince’s album, but the lyrics definitely set this song apart from anything Prince would have written making it a real groovy treat for the listener. The quirkiest and yet one of the hottest tracks is the song, Fire Coming Out Of A Monkey's Head, which features Dennis Hopper who delves into the spoken work like a professional. I’ve always like Hopper voice as an actor and think he does a fantastic job on this danceable number.
The fourth track titled, O Green World, is for the rockers and stoners looking for the standard guitar riff, and howling male lyrics that carry this song. Another sumo standout track, November Has Come, is a song that feels like it was sang in falsetto, however the appealing and infectious melody captures my attention causing my head to bob without thinking. In general the spirit of this album works in a dark yet brilliant way. El Manana, is one of the chilliest songs on the disc. The final track, Demon Days brings this animated and eerie musical circus to a befitting murky close just like the creepy intro.
I was really impressed with the fifth track Dirty Harry and feel it could easily be rocked on the airwaves within months. I played this song a few extra times hitting repeat to check out some of the nuances I missed on the first listen. My sole purpose for buying this CD was the sixth track, titled Feel Good Inc. but after playing this disc on my system I’ve discovered that this album does things with rap, jazz, and funk that other artist simply are not doing, and that’s a good thing. In the end, the Gorillaz achieve their goal, in delivering something that pleasing, and at the same time tighter than some of their lesser known stuff they produced in the past. Demon Days is a wonderful hodgepodge of unorthodox hip-hop that ought to make music aficionados scoop this album up like ice cream on a hot summer day. When looking at the CD cover you simply can get over the stylish animated characters and the good music presented here.
Ultimately, the CD Demon Days, represents unmarked territory in the world of sound soothing throbbing earlobes wit a new fresh formula that works. The album is lyrically on point. What I don’t want to do in this review is give away the album in its entirety, you’ll have to purchase your on copy or check out the song, Feel Good Inc. on MTV or better yet, pick up an Apple ipod. Additionally, you can visit www.gorillaz.com to learn more about this group, but I bet you’ll be hard pressed to put this album into one specific genre as it crosses and blurs the lines of modern day hip-hop. I give Demon Days, 4 out of 5 on this album. If you are looking for other albums that are similar in this cutting edge genre check out
Monkey Business by the Black Eyed Peas or Coldplay’s album X&Y.
Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Last Living Souls
3. Kids With Guns
4. O Green World
5. Dirty Harry
6. Feel Good Inc.
7. El Manana
8. Every Planet We Reach Is Dead
9. November Has Come
10. All Alone
11. White Light
12. DARE
13. Fire Coming Out Of A Monkey's Head
14. Don't Get Lost in Heaven
15. Demon Days
The 15-track Demon Days is the follow-up to Gorillaz s worldwide smash self-titled debut and was co-produced by Albarn and Danger Mouse. The London Co...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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