Who would have thought that Gorillaz would still be around? It's been nine years since their debut album and five years since their superb follow-up album "Demon Days" (which is one of my favorite albums of all time). For the uneducated, Gorillaz is a cartoon band made up of 2D (vocals), Noodle (guitar), Murdoc (bass), and Russell (drums), but those characters are given a personality, a voice, and life through the creative genius of Blur's Damon Albarn and cartoonist and creator of Tank Girl, Jamie Hewlett. Those characters have a long and strange history but are just a big part of Gorillaz as the music itself.
And speaking of the music, Plastic Beach is a musical thrill ride. Gorillaz have evolved so much since the last album, and while it still contains that laid-back hip-hop style, the songs here verge into stranger territory. Songs like the first single "Stylo" and the fantastic "On Melancholy Hill" represent a newer, more pop/80s sound for the band, but at the same time the wacky "Superfast Jellyfish" and hip-hop-infused "White Flag" don't stray too far away from the familiar Gorillaz formula. One of my favorite tracks is "Rhinestone Eyes" which starts off innocent enough but after a low-key intro it bursts with the crash of crazy synths and drums. "Some Kind of Nature" is another stand-out and features the vocal talents of Lou Reed. Just like previous Gorillaz albums, Plastic Beach is full of celebrity cameos, like Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Snoop Dogg, Mick Jones and Paul Simonon, and of course, De La Soul.
Plastic Beach is essentially a concept album about a barren future where all the members of Gorillaz ended up on an island made up of trash and plastic, hence the name "plastic beach". To be honest there really isn't much more to it, other than the constant repetition throughout the songs of the words "plastic" and "beach". But I still think this is their most focused and thorough album yet. The concept is strong and the music backs it up exceptionally well. If I was to nit-pick about a few things it would be that two of the tracks, "Glitter Freeze" and "Sweepstakes", while great, outstay their welcome a little too much. In addition to that, the second half of the record loses steam before it comes to an almost abrupt close. There are 16 tracks here, and while that may seem like a lot, they do roll along at a nice pace and before you know it the album is over, and believe me, you'll want to start it over again.
I do love Gorillaz, and maybe I'm being bias, but this is an album that has to be listened to. To some casual Gorillaz fans Plastic Beach may come off as a little odd and boring, but once you dig into it and really start to pay attention, you'll really like it. Plastic Beach really isn't the kind of album where you can pick and choose songs (though you can if you want and still have an enjoyable listening experience) but one where you need to start at the beginning, buckle yourself in, and enjoy the long and strange ride.
In conclusion, Plastic Beach is the best Gorillaz album yet and takes the listener to all sorts of strange and new places. If you come in expecting the same old Gorillaz sound you'll likely be disappointed, but those looking for something completely original and brilliant in a sea of dull, radio-friendly music are going to be rewarded.
Finally, here's what may be a completely insane statement: we may only be three months into the year, and unless something really comes from nowhere to blow me away, I may have found the best album of 2010. Do not miss this album.
Final Score:
5 out of 5
Key Tracks:
"Rhinestone Eyes", "Superfast Jellyfish", "Some Kind of Nature"
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