Categories: Archives

Gorrilaz stay afloat at the ‘Plastic Beach’

Gorillaz

Plastic Beach

Virgin Records

Rocks like: Gorillaz,… Gorillaz

Plastic Beach

Virgin Records

Rocks like: Gorillaz, anyone featured on it

Grade: A-

Sitting at home and tolerating MTV sometime around the year 2000, I watched as a group of musicians with cartoon avatars named Gorillaz invaded my screen and began “playing” a song with a name as intimidating as the music emanating from the TV speakers. That song was “Clint Eastwood.”

Ten years later, with Plastic Beach, Damon Albarn of Blur and Jamie Hewlett of Tank Girl have created a musical experience that sounds as current and fresh as their debut album did when it was released.

Boasting guests galore — everyone from Lou Reed to Mick Jones to Snoop Dogg stops by.

The results are sometimes hard to believe. “Stylo,” for example, juxtaposes soul legend Bobby Womack and rapper Mos Def over “Tron”-worthy electronic instrumentation.

As with the previous two Gorillaz albums, the songs are instantly catchy and demonstrate something the band appears to have developed immunity to: slump albums.

Gorillaz’ distinctively diverse style is perhaps the album’s biggest hurdle. Covering such a wide range of styles with only 16 tracks doesn’t damage any of the songs’ integrity, but it’s a bit overwhelming to take in as a cohesive experience.

Some of the wonderful trademarks of a sound are lost, and Damon Albarn’s voice occasionally seems to be hiding in the track.

Gorillaz may be a virtual band, but the music on Plastic Beach extends beyond its virtual gimic..

Pitt News Staff

Share
Published by
Pitt News Staff

Recent Posts

What’s next for Pitt volleyball after hectic offseasonWhat’s next for Pitt volleyball after hectic offseason

What’s next for Pitt volleyball after hectic offseason

Pitt volleyball will look entirely different in 2025.  This isn’t to say that the team…

1 day ago
Everything to know about Seasonal Affective Disorder for winter in PittsburghEverything to know about Seasonal Affective Disorder for winter in Pittsburgh

Everything to know about Seasonal Affective Disorder for winter in Pittsburgh

As snow and clouds cover up the city of Pittsburgh, mental health experts define Seasonal…

1 day ago
Struggling Steelers take on division rival Ravens in wild-card roundStruggling Steelers take on division rival Ravens in wild-card round

Struggling Steelers take on division rival Ravens in wild-card round

After squandering a division lead and a 10-3 start, the now 10-7 Pittsburgh Steelers travel…

1 day ago

Column | This is the most defining moment in half a decade for Mike Tomlin

Mike Tomlin is the most polarizing figure in town.  The national media has long praised…

1 day ago

Panthers on Politics // Free the Facts

In this episode of Panthers on Politics, Ruby, Piper and Josie interview Kylilah Reynoso from…

1 day ago

Who Asked? // Can we ever really have a fresh start?

This installment of Who Asked? by staff writer Brynn Murawski tackles the elusive concept of…

1 day ago