Gorillaz - The Singles Collections: 2001-2011 (Album Review)
Friday, 09 December 2011
Written by Mark Molloy
Cool Britannia poster boy Damon Albarn may have predicted, shaped and driven the early years of the Britpop revolution as the frontman of Blur in the early 90s, yet almost twenty years later it is unlikely the gold-toothed maestro could ever have imagined the groundbreaking exploits and global success he would enjoy as the mastermind behind virtual band Gorillaz.
After collaborating with some of the most influential stars on the planet across four critically acclaimed albums, racking up multi-platinum record sales and completing a hugely successful world tour; 2D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel, have fittingly released their imaginative collection of chart hits celebrating ten years of Gorillaz.
As the first band ever to chart on downloads alone, most Gorillaz fans will already possess most of these classics, featuring the likes of Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder, hip hop trio De La Soul and soul singer Bobby Womack. Albarn and co. have planned for this likely possibility however with the release of a deluxe edition and accompanying DVD featuring all of the band’s innovative music videos and a selection of live performances, while the wonderfully presented limited edition 7” box set offers another tempting reason to part with your Christmas cash.
Beginning with mysteriously melancholic ‘Tomorrow Comes Today’, the opening track from the cartoon band’s first EP, the chronologically ordered collection takes us through each and every single released by the fictitious four-piece, encompassing hits from self-titled album Gorillaz, follow-up Demon Days and more recently Plastic Beach. Recent upbeat offering ‘Doncamatic’, featuring up-and-coming singer songwriter Daley is included, before ten years of Gorillaz is appropriately concluded with the barnstorming, popular rehash of B-side ‘19/2000’.
The collection perfectly captures the fascinating evolution of a band whose life began 13 years ago following a conversation between musical virtuoso Albarn and illustrator Jamie Hewlett about the substance-lacking bands flooding the music industry in the late 90s. Gorillaz were created, seamlessly fusing together genres ranging from hip-hop to Britpop, reggae and dub, creating a unique and experimental sound captured magnificently in the 2001 Ed Case/Sweetie Irie remix of ‘Clint Eastwood’.
Following a headline slot at Glastonbury and international festivals around the world, Gorillaz have also received rave reviews for their live performances. Just as the band’s sound has evolved over the last decade so have their live shows, captured on the deluxe bonus DVD, including their exclusive 2010 gig at Camden’s Roundhouse.
Widely commercial hits ‘DARE’, ‘Feel Good Inc’ and ‘Stylo’ are instantly recognisable to anyone with a passing interest in the band and the collection is a perfect place to start for those looking to undertake their first trip into the weird and wonderful world of Gorillaz. However for more ardent followers of the virtual band, ‘Gorillaz- The Singles…’ is a timely celebration of the band’s extensive back catalogue of hits.
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The collection perfectly captures the fascinating evolution of a band whose life began 13 years ago following a conversation between musical virtuoso Albarn and illustrator Jamie Hewlett about the substance-lacking bands flooding the music industry in the late 90s. Gorillaz were created, seamlessly fusing together genres ranging from hip-hop to Britpop, reggae and dub, creating a unique and experimental sound captured magnificently in the 2001 Ed Case/Sweetie Irie remix of ‘Clint Eastwood’.
