Gorillaz (2001)
Released in 2001, Gorillaz was the world’s first look into the genius of Gorillaz and, quite frankly, there is no reason on earth why I have any right to like this album as much as I do. Many of the songs are so experimental, so like nothing I’d ever heard before and so full on weird that I can’t see why I like them so much. Songs like Man Research (Clapper) and Sound Check (Gravity) feature such odd motifs that just…work. The way Damon Albarn molds the sounds in these songs with his voice is so mesmerizing (and beautiful on other tracks like Slow Country) that you ignore the fact that one of the songs begins with the lyric “This is the breakfast club!” and just sit back and enjoy it.
But their first release wasn’t just a collection of oddball, indie experiments. Looking back through the album some real stand out songs of the early 2000’s come from this album. Rock the House, a perfect feel good hip-hop track with bouncy lyrics to match the uplifting sounds of the trumpet sample running through it.19-2000, such a fun song to listen to featuring everything from an infectious sound to an adorably innocent collection of nonsensical lyrics. And who could forget unarguably the biggest success from the album, Clint Eastwood, which expertally mixes Trip-hop and indie rock elements to produce an anthem of the early 2000’s.
As well as the hits and the experimental stuff, Damon also takes time to harken back to his rock and roll days with blur with amazingly awesome rock songs like Punk, 5/4 and M1A1 – the last being a fantastic and bombastic closer to the album and a fantastic and bombastic opener to many a live show. Another personal favourite of mine is the song Latin Simone (Que Pasa Contigo) which is supremely unique not only because it is sung entirely in spanish but also because when paired with the english version of the song a conversation between the two singers takes place. Which just makes it all the more amazing.
When compared to the other albums in their discography Gorillaz could be seen as one of the weakest. Its production is not quite as complicated as the others and, instead of evolving the songs sound as it continues on, many songs stick with the same loop which for some people may make them too simple and turn them away from it. But in my mind the simplicity and raw nature of the songs give the album a tremendous amount of charm and character, putting it up their with one of my favourite albums ever.
Music Worth Hearing 