Gorillaz
Gorillaz (2001)

review by: Michael Walls
Date: 2/4/02

I don't usually do this. Buy a CD because I heard one song, once, and liked it. Actually, I didn't even hear the song. I saw it. On MTV. In the middle of the night, when MTV actually plays music videos.

The song was "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz. Apparently, Gorillaz has got some sort of cartoon or comic book characters associated with it. In this ultra-cool cartoon video, these comic book characters are introduced to us as they sing, or rap, this urban hip-hop, dark rap tune, along side these killer gorillas in a cemetery or something. I don't know why it's called "Clint Eastwood".

It was late. I was tired. I had a 2 month old baby in my lap, screaming. And I haven't seen music videos in a long while, so I though this one was pretty cool. So I bought it.

Know what? I got lucky. This is a pretty darn good CD.

"Clint Eastwood" is the fifth song on this 17 song CD, and before I even listen to it, I'm thinking, "Alright, here we go. I've just purchased one good song surrounded by 16 tracks of crap."

But right off the bat, the first track, called "Re-Hash" catches me off guard, 'cause I'm expecting some sort of urban hip-hop CD, based on the the video I saw. But no. What I get is a cool, electronic pop, funky, synth and drum machine, female backed vocal harmony, tune. Think Big Audio Dynamite, or maybe Talking Heads. I like it.

Track two. Something completely different. I'm thinking very Weezer-like. I like it too.

Track three. I'm thinking, different band altogether. This song is called "Tomorrow Comes Today". A very cool, bass-heavy, driving-in-the-rain-at-night, mellow tune. One of my favorites.

Track four. Bluesy, soulful tune. Like it too.

Then track five, "Clint Eastwood". A lot more fun in the video, but still a fun tune.

From here, I tend to skip around a lot, but overall this CD is very listenable from start to finish. I sense a strong Talking Heads, Madness, influence, in terms of experimental sounds and funky rhythms, where each song has a unique sound, mixing up vocals and styles.

Another standout includes track 11, called "19-2000", which features the vocals of Tina Weymouth (formerly of Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club). A bubbly (literally) and funky electronic tune with great vocals and lyrics.

If you enjoy pop music that likes to dabble in rap, funk, ska and soul (and even salsa in "Latin Simone"), you might enjoy this CD. Give it a try.