Plastic Beach
With its sultry, throbbing bassline, genre-defying melodic turns and surprising guests, “Stylo” arguably represents Gorillaz\' entire sonic approach in microcosm. But while this hypnotic blast of future-soul—propelled by guest vocals from Mos Def and Bobby Womack—is an undoubted high point, it’s by no means the only rich pleasure on this epic, dizzyingly collaborative third album. Inspired by experimentation with opera and bolstered by more fantasy cameos (including Lou Reed), it’s the virtual band’s boldest statement yet.
Ex-Blur frontman Damon Albarn ditches the idea of writing pop songs a cartoon band might front and makes one of his most gorgeous pop records in years.
In spite of Gorillaz’ multi-platinum success, Damon Albarn’s conceptual cartoon-pop project has always seemed a little tossed-off—too sticky to shake, too laid-back to linger. The group’s third album, Plastic Beach, is still so crowded with guest appearances and samples that it’s hard to know who to credit for any…
Gorillaz began as a lark but turned serious once it became Damon Albarn’s primary creative outlet following the slow dissolve of Blur.
2001. Boy bands continued to reign, and music fans, still bought physical CDs. So when Gorillaz's self-titled debut was released that year, there was something refreshing about it.
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s musical cartoon phenomenon returns after five years with a dazzling roll call of contributors. Have too many cooks spoiled the broth?
<p>The cartoon character shtick may be tired, but Damon Albarn's other talents never fail to impress. By <strong>Alexis Petridis </strong></p>
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach review: Round 3 for Albarn and co. proves that third time is still indeed the charm.
Damon Albarn doesn't steal or borrow from other genres - he lovingly salvages the things they have left behind. Rating: * * * * *