Gorillaz
Plastic Beach
Virgin
March 9, 2010

By Brian Johnston

Since their self-titled debut album in 2001, which landed them in the Guinness Book of World Records for selling seven million copies as the most successful virtual band, Gorillaz has come a long way in the music industry worldwide.

Their latest album, Plastic Beach, takes us on pretty much the same bass-driven and guest artist adventure that we are used to.

The first single titled “Stylo,” featuring Mos Def and Bobby Womack, leaves you slightly surprised that nothing has really changed from their style, yet wanting more from the talented foursome.

Lyrically, the old-school raps have never been more intense because of how catchy they are. With lines such as, “That’s what I’m talking about, love electricity, shockwave central, power on the motherboard,” there is more of a deeper meaning than we’re used to hearing. This probably has to do with how creator Damon Albarn chose the title of the album. While coming up with ideas for his latest production, the former Blur star took time to really connect everything around him.

While the rest of the tracks are your usual upbeat, can’t sit still types of songs, “Cloud of Unknowing” is by far the mellowest thing you’ll hear from Gorillaz because of Bobby Womack’s soulful sound and the orchestra Sinfonia Viva.

Finally, to combine everything from beginning to end, the song “Empire Ants” captures the essence of who Gorillaz are and will be forever. Starting off slow with Swedish electronic band Little Dragon, there is a smooth transition into the in-your-face techno beats that everyone has grown to love the past 12 years.

Personally, there is not a better album from this group. Sure, one can argue that there will always be the essential Gorillaz songs such as “Clint Eastwood” and “19-2000,” but give it a few months and songs from this masterpiece will be requested and played through the airwaves.