demon days

Here we go. My first attempt at bringing you, the people, a little closer to me, giving you all something of mine for you to enjoy. And while this sort of thing may go unappreciated, I attempt just the same. Demon Days from the hottest animated band since Daft Punk, Gorillaz, is a work 4 years in the making. If anyone is familiar with their self-titled debut album, then you already know the quirks and oddities of their music. I, personally, love the hell out of it. The first album was mix of underground hip-hop, crazy-ass alternative rock, dance, reggae, and just about anything else you can imagine. But that was then, way back in 2001. Now, in 2005, Demon Days is a different kind of album. While still Gorillaz at heart, there are less instrumental meanderings, producing a more focused, tighter work. The beginning of the album is classic Gorillaz. Near-nonsense lyrics and catchy melodies played by unknown instruments. The only consistent, recognizable instrument is the bass, manned by your resident Satanist, Murdoc Nicalls. Track 6 brings the first single off of the album, Feel Good Inc. Good track, good single, good overall representation of what you can expect from Gorillaz. But the rest of the album brings so much more. The middle few tracks could mislead the listener into thinking that this is strictly a hip-hop band. But track 12, Dare, blows me away. Driven by pounding bass and a simple synth backing, it almost sounds like a Michael Jackson track (the good, "Beat It" Michael Jackson, not his "white" stuff). The last three tracks flow together smoothly and seamlessly, beginning with a fable narrated by Dennis Hopper and supplemented with some haunting "Ooo, ooo, oooo"s from lead singer, 2D. This flows into the final two tracks, which reminds me of the last four tracks of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. I know, blasphemy, right? But those last four songs, Us and Them, Any Colour You Like, Brain Damage, and Eclipse feel like one song. And that's what the end of Demon Days brings. A sense of continuity and, in a sense, hope, despite the title of the album and final track. I highly recommend this album to anyone who cares. Even if you don't like the music, the backstory behind the band will keep you interested for at least a little while. They're completely animated! They have their own backstories! No one will admit that they're not even real! Check out their website at http://www.gorillaz.com, and if that doesn't intrigue you (or you don't have Flash), then check out http://www.rejectfalseicons.com, or the Band History to find out more. The Demon Days we live in aren't as bad as you'd think.




Next post, the movie Crash, and my experiences surrounding it.