Break beats, samples, solid bass, and funky bits, you’ll get it all from Gorillaz’s long-awaited second studio album – which is even better than the 2001’s debut Gorillaz. England’s most celebrated virtual hip-hop/break-beat/dark pop act was founded by Blur’s Damon Albarn and comic writer Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl) in the late 90s. At the time, however, there was much speculation about the identity of the members of this band, but that was all part of the fun. Turned out the band was virtual! In fact, the animated character/performer Noodle is a ten-year-old Japanese guitar virtuoso and martial-arts master! Bits and bobs, sounds and noises are mixed and sampled together with catchy melodies that surface, with a little patience, from each of the 15 tracks. Gorillaz also goes to town with vocals: “Dirty Harry” features the San Fernandez Youth Chorus and “Don’t Get Lost in Heaven” the London Community Gospel Choir. Nothing virtual about Demon Days; this is the real thing.
EMI

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
October 2005 issue