Review Summary: Gorillaz debut with a boundary-destroying album. Tradition defying at its best
Gorillaz could be considered one of the world’s most innovative bands. They’ve innovated visual, live and audio-based media. From their well designed music videos to their intricate live performances and finally, their incredible genre-bending music, Gorillaz have pushed the boundaries of anything similar to them. I’ve decided to review where it all started and that is here.
The Gorillaz self-titled effort is a mish-mash of genres. It crosses the boundaries from Hip-Hop to Punk to Folk to Reggae to Pop to Electronica. Nothing is considered sacred on here. For instance, opening track
Re-hash starts out as a folk-based song but then it descends into an atmospheric chorus part with some lovely vocal melodies from Miho Hatori. Other tracks also very in genre like the single
Clint Eastwood with Del Tha Funkee Homosapien rapping on the track over a catchy melody when it then turns into an electronic jam at the end of the song and
Starshine With its Reggae type sounds and its New Wave-type keyboards. The Gorillaz are quite excellent in every manner from the soulful British croon of Damon Albarn to the scratching turntables of Dan the Automator. All of the music is excellently crafted and has a very playful nature.
My only problem with the album is that it’s not very consistent. Songs randomly change throughout and an overall mood isn’t present. Gorillaz would become more polished on later efforts, but this record changes up too much and therefore may throw off a listener. If the Gorillaz had messed with their sound a bit and made it more consistent, this would be a perfect record.
