musicsucks's Full Review: Demon Days [PA] by Gorillaz
The Gorillaz are an animated band thought up by Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn of Blur. The band found success with their first album and a catchy hit single that combined rapping and a catchy chorus from the likes of Damon's deliciously smooth British vocals. The band hired Dan the Automater to produce the album and got Del the Funky Homosapien to provide the rapping for the disc. Their debut was unique and each song had its own style and taste. For their second disc they lost both Del and Dan. Danger Mouse replaced Dan and a number of guest rappers including MF Doom and De La Soul replaced Del. I think that Danger Mouse is a good producer, but I don't think he was quite up to task for making a great Gorillaz album that would keep up the unique stance of the band. He gave the Gorillaz more of a style, which isn't always a bad thing, but it took away some of the unique quality that this disc had. The rapping to singing chorus has become a bit too overused on the disc.
Band Members (Fictional)
Stuart "2D" Pot - (born in Crawley, United Kingdom) - vocals, keyboards
Murdoc Niccals - (born in Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom) - bass guitar
Russel Hobbs - (born in New York, New York) - drums
Noodle - (born in Osaka, Japan) - guitar, backing vocals
Track Listing
"Intro" - 1:03
"Last Living Souls" - 3:10
"Kids With Guns" - 3:45
"O Green World" - 4:31
"Dirty Harry" - 3:43
"Feel Good Inc." - 3:41
"El Maņana" - 3:50
"Every Planet We Reach Is Dead" - 4:53
"November Has Come" - 2:41
"All Alone" - 3:30
"White Light" - 2:08
"DARE" - 4:04
"Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head" - 3:16
"Don't Get Lost in Heaven" - 2:00
"Demon Days" - 4:28
Music
I'd like to get the disappointments out of the way first. The Intro is a waste of time. It's just noise and has no constructs of an actual song, but at least it doesn't last that long. The last two tracks, Don't Get Lost in Heaven and Demon Days, both have promising intros. Both songs die once the vocals begin though. Neither of the tracks provide a good melody or any sort of dynamic to make the song interesting. If neither of the tracks had been included the cd would have been a lot better.
There is a collection of decent tracks that could have been improved. These tracks have a lot of potential, but were brought down by different things. O Green World begins with a great beat, but the vocals were a big miscalculation. They are too soft and relaxed for the strength of the beat. The length of Every Planet We Reach is Dead really hurt that song. The last minute and a half or so of the song is just noise, which was unnecessary and really pulls the song down. All Alone is listenable for the sole reason that the song's beat is by far the sickest on the album. The thick bass and quick paced drumming make the song interesting. The dance song Dirty Harry doesn't have any obvious flaws. It is a light-hearted and upbeat song with a nice rap in the second half of the song, but it just doesn't stick with you after listening to it.
November Has Come features MF Doom, who Danger Mouse worked with on the Danger Doom project. That collaboration remains as one of my favorite rap albums. The verses of the song would fit perfectly on the Danger Doom cd. Damon's singing in the chorus is well-timed and smooth, providing a good contrast to the verses. White Light is a catchy little track with whispers and a progressive beat that reminds me a lot of the first album. Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head is by far the most unique track on the disc. Dennis Hopper tells the story of the happy folk and their demise. The beat is slick and Hopper works well with it. Damon's addition to the songs is some silky vocals over airy guitar lines. The track that best sets a mood is the wavy El Maņana. The beat is light and feels a bit like flying over a quiet sea. Damon's vocals are emotional and effective.
Summer don't know me no more
Even my tired song
Summer don't know me
He just left me low in myself
Cause I do know love,
from you that's
Just dying
There are four tracks that really stand out on the disc. Kids With Guns lays down a thick bass line. The lyrics are twisted and demented, with what I think could be a bit of a political touch to them. This song shows what Danger Mouse can do. His production on this song is superb. If he stays with the band, this is the direction they should take. DARE is a club track. The song is a perfect dance song and one of my favorite dance songs. The beat is quick paced, with a good bass, but it's still soft enough that the female vocals that provide the chorus float right through.
Jump with them all,
And move it,
Jump back and forth
It feels like you were there yourself,
And work it out.
Feel Good Inc. is the obligatory hit song. You can tell when listening to it that it was specifically made to be a hit, but that's okay. The song is honestly one of the catchiest songs they have done. It follows well in Clint Eastwood's footsteps off of the first album. The rapping is perfectly timed and Damon's chorus is just as catchy as the one from Clint Eastwood. The best song on the disc though is Last Living Souls. The song has a dark beat driven by a thick bass and some light drumming that contrasts the darkness. Damon's detached vocals are so dark that the song aptly portrays the disparity of being the last living souls. The guitar and piano driven bridge reminds me of Coldplay, if they were a bit darker. The return of the beat is so amazing, it gives me the chills every time.
What you say?
Cause all I had sung
I got it down and wrong
I see myself to get
The Lord, seeing all now
Can you take us in
The part that comin' on
The coldest man doesn't see it's all
"Intro" - 0/10
"Last Living Souls" - 10/10
"Kids With Guns" - 9/10
"O Green World" - 7/10
"Dirty Harry" - 7.5/10
"Feel Good Inc." - 10/10
"El Maņana" - 8.5/10
"Every Planet We Reach Is Dead" - 7/10
"November Has Come" - 8.5/10
"All Alone" - 7.5/10
"White Light" - 8/10
"DARE" - 9.5/10
"Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head" - 8.5/10
"Don't Get Lost in Heaven" - 6/10
"Demon Days" - 6/10
Overall - 113/150 - .753 - C
I do recommend this cd because it still has a good amount of high quality songs, but it does have some down points and does miss the mark a few times. Hopefully the next album they release will be able to compare to the debut.
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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