Gorillaz
Gorillaz
2001
Album Summary
Gorillaz is the debut studio album by English virtual band Gorillaz, released on 26 March 2001 in the United Kingdom by Parlophone and in the United States by Virgin Records. The album reached number three in the UK and number fourteen in the US, and the top ten in several countries. Gorillaz has sold over seven million copies worldwide. The album's success earned the group an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as the "Most Successful Virtual Band", and spawned the singles "Clint Eastwood", "19-2000", "Rock the House", and "Tomorrow Comes Today".
WikipediaI was only familiar with Gorillaz hits until now. I found the LP got off to a so-so start with the first two songs, but really picked up after that. The sequence of songs that begins with New Genius (brother) is great and there’s absolutely no filler until the end of the album. I especially like Sound Check (Gravity). The cast of characters that Damon Albarn brings in keeps it fresh and you never know what to expect. Despite the high level of creativity and genre swings it all hangs together nicely (even Ibrahim Ferrer sounds like he belongs)! A great album.
Damon and Jamie, Jamie and Damon. Who could have thought that an agreement to live in an apartment after breakups in their relationships, ranting about the state of the music business and plasticity on TV, would lead into one of the more consequential and influential groups on music history. Never before had their been a virtual group (shrouded in mystery before the jig was up) making music as though the 22nd Century was on their front door and have it be the basis for complete and utterly eclecticism. It shouldn't have worked (in lesser hands, it wouldn't have) but, thankfully, it did and provided its creators a new springboard for their creativity after years of being acknowledged (rightfully) for who and what they were. Their albums would get more ambitious, more hit-laden, more guest-starring but this is where it starts and what a start it is.
Well, I guess 13 is my lucky number since this is the 13th album I got here. Not the first time I'm listening to it. I love everything Damon Albarn - from Blur to Gorillaz. And this Gorillaz album is no exception. Re-Hash - introduces you to the fun Gorillaz-specific beat and has an almost optimistic note to it. It signals that the album is gonna sound catchy from the start. Absolutely love the work on vocals here, specifically during the "It's the money or stop" part; the way Damon ends it with "It's yeah" is simple, but it seals the deal for me. 5 / 4 - probs my favorite song in 5 / 4 time. The way Damon uses his voice here to enhance the simple lyrics is perfect. The “ She made me kill myself” part is just *a chef’s kiss* Tomorrow comes today - nice use of harmonica, a more moody, slower song. Definitely interesting, and shows the versatility of this album’s sound New Genius (Brother) & Sound Check (Gravity)- these 2 go a bit hand in hand for me and probs are my least favorite of the album, sure they still have their purpose, and even the “Dj-ing” sounds have their place here Clint Eastwood - classic. A well-balanced sound, between Damon’s melodic verse and Teren’s rap. And the beat is just perfect. Man Research (Clapper) - fun little song Punk - symbolically mixed at places with “digital” sounds Double bass - feels like an interlude for the second part of the album While I think the first half of this album is definitely stronger, I still have here some highlights: Starshine, 19-2000 All in all, not a perfect album, but still a great one. A 4 / 5 in my book.
I find it doesn't achieve the same effect on me that this album used to have in its day, but it's still a great and innovative album nevertheless. It literally took me years to be able to get the klezmer inspired Clint Eastwood tune out of my head, and it's not like there is a shortage of breakthroughs in this album otherwise: M1 A1 is an all time favourite I'd gladly point a finger at.
Tepid. Boring. Pedestrian. Damon Albarn coasting because of a post-grunge hangover?
Garbage. Didn’t like this. Was never a fan of Blur and Damon Albarn’s voice just grates on me. Nil point. (Said in a French accent France 🇫🇷)
Wow, despite the fact that this tore through my university like norovirus on a cruise ship, I forgot just how absolutely fucking boring this trope is. The diametric opposite of what I consider to be good music.
My dad gifted me this album after accidentally buying it for himself (he got them confused with the The Avalanches). Great album with far more big recognisable tunes than I remembered. Easy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is quite far from my taste, but somehow one of my favourite band and this album is a masterpiece. In my opinion the most exciting song is Double Bass, which is quite unexpected.
What a debut! Gorillas bring everything into this. A decade defining single, catchy choruses everywhere and solid production. Damon Albarn has always had talent but being able to mask himself behind Jamie Hewletts animation elevated him, obviously!
Clint Eastwood is an absolute belter of a song. Gorillaz are an all time fav for me. They were so good live!!
As someone who had been a fan of both Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett for nearly a decade when this came out, I knew I would be and instant fan. I honestly thought it would be an experimental noise fest like the Blur remix album. I was wron, this was an instant classic and a soundtrack that lifted me up during some pretty rubbish times.
A reminder both of how good Clint Eastwood is and how many other great song are on this album that got overlooked. Tomorrow comes today, sound check, so good
Album of my childhood. The beat to 19-2000 will never cease to bring up nice memories of summer, and especially FIFA games. Singing (and rapping) parts of Clint Eastwood is an essential part of every get-together with my friends. Sound of Re-hash, when starting the vinyl puts me into a great humour straight away. This is one of those rare fully positive albums (melody, not necessarily the lyrics), that I really love. Definitely 5/5, only Demon Days would be rated higher in my humble opinion.
Classic, brings me back to 6th grade. A complete masterpiece with unassuming twists and turns and a funky, yet storybook like sound.
The next two Gorillaz albums are better, but I guess this one's included for cultural significance. When I first heard it I remember being surprised by how many tracks seemed more like sonic experiments than fully formed songs, and I think that's true of the band as a whole at this point: an interesting experiment that would become more well-realised over time. The eclecticism was there from the start, though; I love 5/4, Tomorrow Comes Today & Slow Country for very different reasons. And I reckon Clint Eastwood remains their 'definitive' track - it still sounds fresh today. A fun, quirky listen: 3.5 stars.
Man, this album is just as cool today as it was when it debuted over 20 (!!!) years ago. It's easy to forget that it was so long ago because megahit Clint Eastwood STILL gets played on every alt-rock station as if it were released yesterday. As a teenager at the time when this came out, they are the first "virtual band" that I can remember taking seriously. These guys knew themselves, they knew they wanted to do something different, and they knew how they wanted to do it from the beginning of their career; with their debut album, they were not only already setting a foundation for their own signature sound, but also an eclectic alternative/trip hop/lo-fi sound that many other band would embrace in the new millennium and attempt to make their own. Speaking of eclectic, this album is all over the place, but in a good way. They don't limit themselves to any specific sound or genre from track to track, and any given one track is likely to have a mishmash of genres and musical stylings. And yet, everything they do on this album sounds intentional, cohesive, and cleanly executed. All these years later, it was fun to reexamine this album, find a new appreciation for it, and find that it has really stood the test of time.
If Screamdelica had been better, it would have sounded like this, which is still only okay.
very good album, didnt love my first listen but it’s really grown on me. feels oddly similar to the avalanches
Have this album on vinyl already so I'll listen to it on that. Gorillaz are one of my favorite acts and I already know this album is 5/5!
I mean, this album is a phenomenal debut. Although I grew up on Demon Dayz, I can see a version of myself considering this to be one of the most iconic albums ever.
I cannot come to this album without bias. Honestly, it’s among my least favorite of their works. But… god damn… I just fucking love the Gorillaz. It’s like a blended smoothie if everything I want in a group and I’ll drink it up every time.
This band made something new happen in a super-funky and rocking way. 6 stars.
Det här var en positiv överraskning. Hört några av singlarna förut men hela plattan var ju bra.
Classic album I grew up with. The sound of going to the mall with your friends to piss off the shop workers.
One of my most listened to albums of all time. I wore this CD out in Middle School/High School, had a giant 2D poster on my wall (it was about the size of the entire wall), played the geep driving game, and worshiped the Gorillaz lore like it was gospel. I may be a bit bias on this one is what I'm saying.
Amazing blend of indie sounds and hip hop beats. It sounded so fresh at the time.
5/5. This album is not only one of the best Gorillaz albums and debut albums in general, it is also a modern classic and I'm glad that it has a place in this list.
Whole album is a vibe. What an incredible debut that holds up 21 years later.
Had never listened to this album/band/group. Love it. Will be adding to my rotation.
Oh, hell yeah, dude, I love this album. The future sucks, and Damien Albarn knew it back in 2001.
Noo gorillaz, llegue justo para el momento edgy - perfecto para ingles 2 - soundcheck bien epico
Very unique album blending rock, hip/hop, electronic, and country sounds.
i forgot how much i listened to this album when it came out. this is possibly the second best character played by all bran, after the africa express one, that character is still one of my favourites, it's like something straight off fonejacker. anyway, yeah this album is really good, the second one was a bit arse and you only ever hear the shaun ryder one on the radio which is a bit of a joke, but such is advertised radio.
Сначала хотела поставить 4 с целью оставить высший балл для других работ, но потом подумала, что мне некого обманывать, и альбом-то суперский
Their 1st was their best. Trippy, Blurry, sunny, funny, freaky like Happy Mondays, bit of all good things UK music had to offer those days. Clint Eastwood true classic
masterfully produced really enjoyed love Damon albarn will definitely be listening again
Oh man, childhood. It's been so, so long. Old heads will hate this, probably complaining that it's all electronic and the beeps and boops aren't that interesting to listen to. You're more than welcome to hold that opinion, much like how I hold that Neil Young isn't Good or Interesting. The entire album is endlessly creative, especially for the early 2000's. Damon and Jamie are ruthlessly interesting with novel hooks, beats, and sounds, creating whatever the hell they like and making it all sound good. Such a phenomenal album, such a great debut. Love.
SLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! uno de mis álbumes preferidos de la lista y el único que tengo en físico (creo). Muy buen debut álbum. 19-2000 el soundtrack de mi infancia<3
Love this album and have done since it came out. Listening back it is noticeably an infant version of gorillaz sound with tracks like Punk having more in common with Blur than gorillaz later stuff. Interesting to listen alongside tracks like Tender on Blur’s 1999 “13” (two years earlier) to hear the transition between the two groups. Tender could easily sit on this album and fit in as much as it does on the Blur album. I like Damon’s locals on this album, they’re really sad and childlike. I hope other Gorillaz albums make it into the book as I def don’t think this is there best. But still a fave. First edition of this book came out in 2005 so some of gorillaz best stuff might not make it. This album has some really danceable tracks that are just good fun, ultimately I love gorillaz for the sense of weird fantasy storytelling which I don’t think is present on this album as much. So still a 5. Top track: probably tomorrow comes today. I also love Man Research.
One of my favorites from my teenage years, I have so many memories tied to this album.
It's silly how much Gorillaz I've listened to. I've been hooked on Gorillaz since I first saw Clint Eastwood on MTV and later when they won best song on the MTV Europe Music Awards with Ali G as the host. It was a silly time. Being a virtual band with distinct band members it's hard not to be intrigued. Gorillaz music is hard to define. It leans towards hip-hop but stretches to alternative rock. It's the perfect blend between Damon Albarns Blur roots and the production from Dan the Automator which the latter did the awesome collaboration Deltron 3030 with Del the funky homosapien that did the rapping on the song "Clint Eastwood" and "Rock the House". I would say that Gorillaz is in the Gorillaz genre. I've yet listened to something as diverse but still having a coherent sound. Every song is splendid and the creativity and uniqueness is the reason I still listen to Gorillaz. Their debut album is no exception even though their subsequent albums are better.
Super album de tout genre, c'estvraimemt rafraichissant et ca vaut le detour meme si on connait seulememt clint eastwood. Le reste esr vraimemt super bon aussi 5
9/10 - Brilliant album, was a really enjoyable experience and introduced me to the Gorrilaz better
first album i ever owned and fell in love with its a masterpiece 100/10
After thoroughly enjoying "Gorillaz," I stalled on writing the review until the prodding came four days later in the form of Blur's "Parklife." Because Blur and Gorillaz are opposite ends of the Damon Albarn spectrum - the Blur end of gross Britpop (why couldn't anything else they did sound like "Song 2") and the Gorillaz end of genre-defying cartoon brilliance. "Gorillaz" was such a refreshing and much-needed debut when it came out in 2001. "Tank Girl" creator Jamie Hewlett's art and the musical assistance and influence of Dan the Automator and many other collaborators made Gorillaz something that had never been seen or heard before. I listened to this album a lot when it came out, and was happy it held up to my musical taste (aided by nostalgia) more than 20 years later. I've listened to Gorillaz in bits and pieces since then, and know most of their most popular songs from later albums, but I don't know any the way I know their debut. Listening to "Gorillaz" again made me want to delve back in, and the more I consider the concept, the more I adore it. The cartoon characters and their world allow us to hold up a twisted mirror to our own in a way other music can never quite manage, and now that I know there is a detailed fictional history of the band members I'm intrigued to seek out the scattered source material in addition to the albums.
Hierop kan je onmogelijk een genre plakken. het is enorm gevarieerd, dansbaar, meezingbaar. Topplaat
This was always going to be a 5. Always. Gorillaz was so... out there. Just so out there when this album dropped. "Clint Eastwood" blew my mind with its genre bending when I first heard it. I still get a tingle every time I hear that hi-hat hit. And it's not the only banger on this album. In fact, most of the album slaps. I can't listen just once. Gorillaz always gets an instant repeat.
They put out several several albums after this that I prefer but this is still really good. I remember seeing the Clint Eastwood video on MTV2 and being really intrigued. I'd definitely put Demon Days and Plastic Beach on this list over it, but I guess the impact of its release counts for something too. Cracker Island dropped the same day I got this. Interesting coincidence. More of a 4 star album but giving a 5 because I like the discography so much
Блин, ребятыыыы, как же я обожаю такое, когда и все вроде знакомое, а целиком не слушал и вот это все вместе собирается и такая конфэта. Сразу говорю, что ставлю 4+1 за влияние. По восприятию мне было на том же уровне приятно (эмоционально другая приятность, конечно). Песенки вы все уже за меня повыделяли, а я хочу отметить экспериментальную темку (sound check и man research) в особенности. Неожиданно приятное
Обожаю этот дебютный альбом. Дальше гориллаз будут больше уходить в эксперименты + набирать популярность в фитах, но уже здесь чувствуется напор на флоу и любовь к электронщине вкупе с джазом (вот такая ассоциация, да) Если не слышали, то очень зря)
Apparently a new Gorillaz album came out two days ago? What the hell, where was I? Ah, Gorillaz. When I first listened to you, I didn't get you. I didn't like you. It took me, what, a decade for me to give you another chance? And man, am I glad I did. Gorillaz is one of those bands that I think hit for a lot of people in their teens, but that wasn't the case for me. I was musically stunted during my teens, and only remedied that several years later. The idea really shouldn't have worked. A virtual band? Who in their right mind would listen to that? As it turned out, a lot of people would, and for good reason. The music, just fundamentally, is catchy. Now, this isn't my favorite album by the band, 'Plastic Beach' holding that title, but you can't deny the sheer enjoyability of the music. The beats seem effortlessly catchy, the instrumentals mixed together in a super satisfying way and lyrics that sometimes seem weird, and sometimes seem profound. Depends on the mood and the song, I guess. Speaking of mood, I'm in a terrible one today that doesnt fit this album and it still hits. Impressive. Final thoughts: I guess I should go listen to that new Gorillaz album, maybe?
I remember when I first heard Clint Eastwood and it blew me away! Definitely the highlight of the album but the rest is solid too. This is a tough one for me. It has enough to be a 4.5 for sure but was torn if I could round it up.
I've heard their singles over the years but I've never had a chance to listen to the full album previously but I'm happy to discover that this is a really good album! I've been listening to Damon Albarn lately but I'm not as familiar with his early stuff with Gorillaz but this seems to be a great place to start. Love the nods to Ennio Morricone and Augustus Pablo's recorder on Clint Eastwood and Tomorrow comes today. Really good arrangements and clever writing throughout. Nice to see that this still sounds pretty fresh despite the fact that its over 20 yrs old.
I didn’t get a chance to listen but a friend I work with at the Food Bank said it was her favourite album. Also it’s the only band the App sent that my son Dylan went to see in concert without me. Prob not the best rating analysis but 4 it is.
I had an annoying, unidentifiable song permanently lodged in my head from 2013 - 2019. It turns out it's "Rock the House." Good to have some closure. I like the album otherwise, a nice halfway house between trip and hip hop. "19-2000" is a forgotten gem.
Ahhh, simpler times. We had just survived Y2K, and everything felt fresh and new. I remember being thrilled when Blur and Bay Area hyphy collided in this stunning debut, although I couldn't for the life of me remember any of this music, save Clint Eastwood of course. A fun musical journey, whether or not it's familiar.
It's not my favourite Gorillaz album but I do like it. It has its weaker and stronger tracks but overall a great variety.
This is a good album. I remember the first time I listened to some of these songs a couple of decades ago with my friends and how special it was for me. After listening to it again I see that it still sounds fresh and unique. Good music to bring good vibes