Damon Albarn of Blur and esteemed artist, Jamie Hewlett, created the virtual band “Gorillaz” back in 1998. This band was made as a realized joke of “what if we made a truly artificial band” by the duo whilst inebriated. After a few singles and an EP, Gorillaz’ self titled album released on the 26th of March, 2001 to massive acclaim. It held its place in the top 100 for the better part of the decade and a single form the album, Clint Eastwood, stayed at #5 in the top 100 for just as long. I am here today to give a comprehensive review of some of my favorites from the album.
Track #1: “Re-Hash”
Re-Hash is the first time that a Gorillaz album would start with a proper song and not an intro, this pattern breaking by their 4th studio album, the fall. Re-Hash sounds like one of those songs that you would hear over a retrospective of sorts, being that it’s not very intense nor is it intense. The lyrics depict Albarn’s dislike of pop culture with satirical lyrics referring to it. It gets a 3 out of 5.
Track #2: “5/4”
This song is the first of the more experimental side of Gorillaz. The song is named after the 5/4 time signature it features. This means that it uses 5 quarter notes each measure, making the song sound slightly off, but it only enhances the listening experience, not draws back. The mention of “Magic” in the lyrics refers to drugs as it applies to Gorillaz’ lore. In this part of the story, the band’s bassist, Murdoc F. Niccals, is having relations with the lead’s girlfriend, which causes him to take painkillers. I think it should get a 4 out of 5 due to its ability to make me crave the unique sound and appliance to the story.
Track #3: “Tomorrow Comes Today”
Lyrically, not much happens. It’s about technology, now it takes over our minds and social life. However, this song deserves some praise. Tomorrow comes today is a song that has been dubbed “Wild west London” for a reason. The harmonica and drums give a sense of the old west while still staying in the album’s Lofi/Hip Hop inspired beats. An easy 5 out of 5 goes to this song and the pure joy it makes me feel every time I listen to it
Track #5: “Clint Eastwood”
If you know Gorillaz at all, it’s either this one, Feel Good inc. from Demon days, or Rhinestone eyes from Plastic Beach. If you’ve ever heard this song before, you would understand why it’s the most popular song from self-titled. Imagine what I said about Tomorrow comes today and add proper hip hop to the mix, you get what I’m saying? Collaborator Del the Funky Homosapien adds a rap verse alongside lead vocalist, 2D, to make it truly a memorable song. The phrase “Sunshine in a bag” refers not only to a proper Clint Eastwood line, the actor, but also to reference 2D’s returning painkiller addiction. But in an interview, 2D mentioned that this “sunshine” was actually some dirty gym clothes. If you listen to this album at all, listen to Clint Eastwood. 5 out of 5, no questions asked.
Track #8: “Sound Check (Gravity)”
One of the hidden gems here, Gravity has this sound that reminds me of riding in a limo or being in a car late at night. If I’m playing Mario Kart 64, this song is on. The “Gravity” in this song is referring to 2D’s, now ex, girlfriend and how she “never let me down gently” due to the incident with Murdoc. With that said, it’s not as good as tracks 5&3, so it only gets a 4 out of 5.
Track #10: Rock the House
Well, Del’s back. This is just him rapping with sim doing lead verses and ad-libs alike. The lyrics are just referring to dancing, nothing more. But, the instrumental is way more traditional hip-hop beat. It gets a 4 out 5.
Track #11: “19-2000″
Once again, Gorillaz reminds us that they’re “not your average band” with a very unorthodox instrumental and Noodle, the band’s guitarist, getting a verse to herself played by Japanese singer, songwriter, Miho Hatori. The true depth of this song comes with the lyrics. At first you might understand that the title refers to how fast the world is going from the 1990s to the 2000s. But then you understand that most Gorillaz music is about drug abuse, sexuality, global warming and so on, but people still “do the bump” to the music as quoted from the lyrics. Alongside that, the verse “Stop dancing to the music of Gorillaz in a happy mood” underlines the fact that, yes the songs are catchy and nice to listen to, but they hold a deeper meaning than your traditional “meaningful” pop song like something out of Taylor Swift or Jack Harlow’s catalog talking about surface level issues like breakups. The message hit me in a way so hard, it deserves nothing less than a 5.
Track #12: “Latin Simone (Que pasa contigo)”
Yet again, 2D is put to the side for a collab-only singer this time being Cuban singer, Ibrahim Ferrer. Given his nationality, the general vibe of the song, and the fact that there is no 2D, there isn’t any English spoken. However, after an english translation and a side by side comparison by the official english cover, there is something interesting about this song. The english/2D version on most versions of the b-side album “G-sides” seems to be responding to the spanish version. For instance, when Ferrer would sing “Que pasa contigo” or “What’s the matter with you”, 2D would sing “What’s the matter with me?”. Or, when Ferrer would sing “Come out, light up your life”, translated from spanish, 2D replies “Give up sunlight, in your life”. Other small instances would include Ferrer referring to someone as “hermano” or “brother”. And how this ties in with the next song turns a “first listening 3” to a conceptual 4 out of 5.
Track #13: “Starshine”
Originally, this song was going to be put in that block of assorted tracks that didn’t require rating until I understood why this song was put after Que pasa contigo. The depressing instrumental and lyrics repeating the phrase “Starshine, never gonna find me” with little interlude paint a picture of depression, with the titular “Starshine” acting as happiness and the delivery of these lyrics sound like 2D is at rock bottom or somewhere adjacent. It gets a 5 out of 5.
Track #14: “Slow Country”
Ending the chain of songs that follow a similar theme, Slow Country depicts how slow the countryside can feel to most. With the line “Can’t stand the loneliness” we as the listeners can understand those who wish to live in bustling cities due to their more energetic flavor. Musically, it gets a 3 out of 5.
Track #17: “Left Hand Suzuki Method”
For those who own the album, you may wonder “Wait… isn’t this song on G-sides? Why is it here?” and you would be right… but on spotify it’s on both, so I count it. Same goes to Dracula from my cut list.. This paragraph was mainly to describe that fact and to explain some history. The “Suzuki Method ” in the title is referring to an instrument teaching technique created by the japanese violinist, Shinichi Suzuki in the 20th century. It gets a 3 out of 5.
In conclusion, for the first time Gorillaz made an album with their unique style, they did a pretty good job. The entire album gets a 4 out of 5. Musically, it’s not perfect, but very much worth listening to for those who like alternative music. But the messages it throws around are nothing to simply just brush off. That in and of itself is the core of music-based storytelling, and other artists should strive to do the same.
