Number 8: Gorillaz - Demon Days
Gorillaz are a strange "band", since they started out as only a side project for Damon Albarn while he was on break from Blur. He took the idea of reviving the cartoon band and teamed with Jamie Hewlett to create 2D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russell. The first album came out in 2001 and totally blew everyone's (including my own) expectations with it's trippy hip-hop rock sound. After that no one really expected for Gorillaz to stick around much longer, but in 2005 they released a follow up that blew the original album out of the water.
When I look at the debut album "Gorillaz" and the follow-up "Demon Days" I see two completely different albums. While the first was mostly hip-hop infused rock, the second album is all over the place. Songs like "Dirty Harry" (which I consider a pseudo-sequel to the hit "Clint Eastwood") and "Feel Good Inc." keep the same style as the previous record (complete with, once again, a cameo by De La Soul), other tracks like "Last Living Souls" and "Kids With Guns" are almost a techno-pop (if that genre even exists). Case in point, Damon Albarn didn't go cheap with this album and made something completely different.
I love this album for one reason: it doesn't sound like anything else out there. If you're looking for a great album with songs that constantly change styles and theme, look no further than "Demon Days". It's my favorite Gorillaz album (though the recent "Plastic Beach" is really close) and one album I can't live without.
My Favorite Tracks:
"Kids With Guns", "Feel Good Inc.", "November Has Come"
Live: Feel Good Inc.
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