Review
"Gorillaz," the self-titled debut album from 2001, is like a sonic cocktail that throws genre conventions out the window and lights a firework display in their place. Seriously, with Damon Albarn at the helm, you get everything from alternative rock to hip hop, punkish vibes, and even a splash of Latin flair. Dive into tracks like "Clint Eastwood," with its dose of hip-hop thanks to Del the Funky Homosapien, or "19-2000" and its bubblegum pop charms. It's like flipping through a radio and finding all your alternative favorites dumped into one magnificent mash-up, a jigsaw of sound, if you will.
Now, on to collaborations—oh man, this album doesn't just tiptoe around them; it throws a party for them. Imagine mingling with artists like Del the Funky Homosapien and Buena Vista Social Club's Ibrahim Ferrer all gathered together in one eclectic tent. Even turntablist maestro Kid Koala drops by, spinning everything into another layer of immaculate chaos. What you get is more than just variety—it's like a Brooklyn mega-mix in both spirit and essence.
If you imagined this melting pot wouldn't catch fire on the charts, guess again. "Gorillaz" made its way to a comfortable number three spot on the UK Albums Chart and a respectable number fourteen punch on the US Billboard 200. All the while selling over seven million copies globally like it was fueled by Red Bull and day-glo beats. Let’s not forget the art—the animations of Jamie Hewlett aren’t just art; they’re companions to this evocative music quest, showing off visual vibes that are as twistedly cool as the tracks are. The band's Guinness-worthy status as the "Most Successful Virtual Band" is just icing on this genre-bending, boundary-breaking cake. Yeah, this gorilla came bounding onto the scene with wild-eyed bravado, leaving everyone else outside the (sound) box catching up. - Bo
Artist Bio
Gorillaz is a virtual band from England, formed in 1998 by Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, known for blending alternative rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. They released their debut album in 2001, quickly gaining international recognition with tracks like "Clint Eastwood" and "Feel Good Inc." The group is notable for its animated band members and multimedia storytelling, as well as frequent collaborations with a wide range of artists. Over the years, Gorillaz has won Brit and Grammy Awards and toured worldwide, continuing to evolve their sound across albums like *Demon Days*, *Plastic Beach*, and *Cracker Island*. Fans of Massive Attack, Beck, and The Avalanches may find Gorillaz’s genre-blurring style especially appealing.
