Gorillaz

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.

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.

Tepid. Boring. Pedestrian. Damon Albarn coasting because of a post-grunge hangover?

I 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.

It brings a lot to the table but does not set it. Good but messy.

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 think we are lucky to have Damon

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.

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 🇫🇷)

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.

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.

Not sure what’s going on with the Gorillaz album, as it was all over the place – and much of it was forgettable… There were a couple of rap songs that were pretty pedestrian… There was a Latin song on the album – but if I want to listen to something like that, I’ll listen to an artist who excels in that genre… The 2 most listenable songs for me were “Tomorrow Comes Today” & “Dracula” – though neither of them are anything to write home about… The musical core for “M1 A1” sounded pretty much like U2’s “Zoo Station” – only not nearly as interesting, and “Man Research” MAY indeed be the worst freakin’ song that I’ve ever heard… Seriously – it’s an absolute abomination… I continue to be amazed by how l lame the albums released in the 2000’s have been so far on the 1,001 list… So far, maybe 1 out of 10 of the 2000’s albums have been decent – but what has been held up as an example of musical excellence from the 2000’s, has been shocking to say the least… A solid 1 in my book, and I find it completely mindboggling, that there are folks who think this album is a 4 or 5…

Gorillaz was one of those bands that was everywhere when it came out, and I fucking hated it. I thought the half-anime look was stupid, I thought their music was piddle for idiots who didn't have distinctive taste, I thought the whole vibe surrounding them sucked. I also thought it was funny that Noel Gallagher said he hopes Damon Albarn gets AIDS. I still think that's funny. I still think Gorillaz is an insult to decent music and its popularity a good indication of just how retarded far too many people are. I still have no interest in this whatsoever and I'm gonna struggle to get through the whole thing. 1/5.

Clint Eastwood is an absolute belter of a song. Gorillaz are an all time fav for me. They were so good live!!

<3

Rock Recipes, Installment Two: “Ape Juice” Ingredients: -One part Deltron 3030 -One part Beck -One part leftover animations picked up from the UPA cutting room floor -16 oz. room temperature tap water -3 oz. Gran Marnier -3 oz. Sambuca Instructions: -Combine ingredients into a large glass pitcher. -Stir gently, while mindlessly staring out your kitchen window, for 30 minutes. -Pour contents of pitcher down your sink drain -Open your streaming platform of choice -Search for Deltron 3030 -Select their 2000 album, “Deltron 3030” -Enjoy.

one of my favorite albums of all time, can't believe this got cut from the list and not replaced with another gorillaz album

Love this album, real head bopper and brings me to a happy place

Classic, brings me back to 6th grade. A complete masterpiece with unassuming twists and turns and a funky, yet storybook like sound.

### In-Depth Review of "Gorillaz" by Gorillaz The debut album by the virtual band Gorillaz, released in 2001, stands as a unique and influential work in the music industry. This innovative project, created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, blends various musical styles and genres, leading to a distinctive and memorable auditory experience. Here, we delve into the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also weighing its pros and cons. #### Lyrics The lyrics in "Gorillaz" often juxtapose whimsical and dark themes, reflecting a balance between playful storytelling and serious undertones. Tracks like "Clint Eastwood" and "Tomorrow Comes Today" showcase this duality effectively. "Clint Eastwood" features lines like "I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad, I got sunshine in a bag," which present a paradoxical mixture of optimism and melancholy. This lyricism reflects the human condition, capturing both light and dark sides. The album also explores themes of disillusionment and societal critique. In "Man Research (Clapper)," the lyrics address the absurdity of consumer culture with lines like "They thought I was a spaceman, diggin' in the moonlight." Such lines indicate a critique of how society places value on materialism and surface-level success. However, some lyrics can feel abstract and esoteric, potentially alienating listeners who prefer straightforward narratives. This abstraction, while artistically intriguing, might not resonate with all audiences. #### Music Musically, "Gorillaz" is a melting pot of genres, including alternative rock, hip-hop, dub, and electronica. This eclectic mix is one of the album's strongest points. Tracks like "19-2000" and "Rock the House" exhibit the band’s ability to blend catchy melodies with unconventional sounds. "Clint Eastwood" stands out with its fusion of hip-hop beats and reggae influences, underpinned by Del the Funky Homosapien's rap verses. This track exemplifies the band’s genre-bending approach, making it accessible yet innovative. "Tomorrow Comes Today" introduces a melancholic atmosphere with its dub influences and haunting melodies. The use of traditional and electronic instruments creates a soundscape that is both nostalgic and futuristic. However, this diversity can sometimes lead to a lack of cohesion. The album feels like a collection of disparate sounds rather than a unified whole, which might be jarring for listeners seeking a more consistent sonic experience. #### Production The production quality of "Gorillaz" is a testament to Damon Albarn’s versatility and ingenuity. The album’s sound is meticulously crafted, with layers of instrumentation and effects that create a rich, immersive experience. The use of sampling, live instruments, and electronic elements is balanced expertly. The production shines on tracks like "Clint Eastwood," where the mix of live bass, drum machines, and sampled sounds creates a dynamic and engaging listening experience. The clarity and depth of the production allow each element to stand out while contributing to the overall texture. However, the experimental nature of the production can sometimes result in uneven quality. Certain tracks might feel overproduced, with too many competing elements that obscure the core musical ideas. This issue is evident in "Man Research (Clapper)," where the complexity of sounds can overwhelm the listener. #### Themes "Gorillaz" delves into themes of modern life, alienation, and the interplay between technology and humanity. The album reflects a world where digital and real-life experiences are increasingly intertwined. "5/4" addresses themes of media consumption and its impact on society. The repetitive lines "She made me kill myself" hint at the destructive influence of media on self-perception and behavior. This theme of media critique recurs throughout the album, suggesting a skepticism towards mass communication and its effects. Environmental concerns are also touched upon in "Sound Check (Gravity)." The lyrics "Gravity on me never let me down gently" metaphorically speak to the relentless pressure of modern life and the environmental degradation caused by human activity. The virtual nature of the band itself is a commentary on the digital age, where virtual personas can have a significant impact on reality. This meta-theme adds a layer of complexity to the album, inviting listeners to consider the implications of living in a mediated world. #### Influence The influence of "Gorillaz" on the music industry is profound. It paved the way for virtual bands and projects that leverage multimedia for storytelling. The album’s success demonstrated that blending diverse genres could lead to commercial and critical acclaim. The use of animation and virtual personas in music videos and live performances was groundbreaking. It allowed for a unique form of artistic expression that transcended traditional music boundaries. This approach influenced subsequent artists and bands to experiment with multimedia and non-traditional forms of presentation. Moreover, the album’s eclectic style encouraged a more open-minded approach to genre blending in popular music. It showed that mainstream success could be achieved without adhering to conventional genre classifications, inspiring artists to explore and integrate diverse musical influences. #### Pros 1. **Innovative Blend of Genres**: The album’s fusion of rock, hip-hop, dub, and electronica offers a refreshing and unique listening experience. 2. **High Production Quality**: Meticulous production and sound design create an immersive and dynamic auditory landscape. 3. **Thought-Provoking Themes**: Lyrics explore relevant themes such as media influence, environmental concerns, and the impact of technology on society. 4. **Cultural Impact**: Pioneered the concept of virtual bands and multimedia integration in music, influencing future artists and projects. 5. **Memorable Tracks**: Songs like "Clint Eastwood" and "19-2000" stand out for their catchy hooks and innovative sound. #### Cons 1. **Lack of Cohesion**: The eclectic mix of genres and styles can lead to a disjointed listening experience. 2. **Abstract Lyrics**: Some lyrics are overly abstract and may alienate listeners who prefer more straightforward storytelling. 3. **Overproduction**: Certain tracks suffer from an overabundance of competing sounds, which can obscure the musical ideas. 4. **Inconsistent Quality**: The experimental nature of the album results in varying quality across tracks, with some songs feeling less polished than others. ### Conclusion "Gorillaz" by Gorillaz is a seminal album that challenged the conventions of the music industry. Its innovative blend of genres, high production quality, and exploration of contemporary themes set it apart as a groundbreaking work. While the lack of cohesion and abstract lyrics may be drawbacks for some listeners, the album’s impact and influence cannot be overstated. It opened new avenues for artistic expression and encouraged a more inclusive and experimental approach to music-making. "Gorillaz" remains a vital and influential album, reflecting the complexities and contradictions of modern life through its unique virtual lens.

Vaguely interesting in places but for the most part horrific. Every track a slog to get through. The concept always sounded a bit wanky. At least I now know the music itself is no better. Prime cut: Double Bass

Great debut album of the 2000s

Gorillaz are my favorite band of all time, and not only is this one of my favorite Gorillaz albums, this is one of my favorite albums of all time. So, because of that, I’m going to switch gears: I’m giving a ranking of every song on the album(I’ll play by my own rules, and ignore the bonus tracks that weren’t on the original album-but-they are fantastic too). So, here is my ranking of each song, from worst to best(keep in mind, there are no “bad” songs on this album in my opinion). 15. “Re-Hash”: If I love an album, I usually hate picking intros, or outros as the worst track on the album because those are the bread, and butter of albums, but I couldn’t help myself this time, because this is clearly the worst song. The boring title of the song reflects the entirety of the song-just simplistic acoustic guitar, and melancholy singing. It’s still okay, but I skip it almost every time I listen to this album because it’s the only song on the album I would rank just “okay”. 14. “Starshine”: This is a bit of a snoozer, and the lyrics are dry, and repetitive. It’s a a cute slow jam, but it’s towards the bottom of this incredible album. 13. “Double Bass”: “All of which makes me anxious, at times unbearably so” are the only lyrics of the song, which is mainly encased by Bass(or should I say Double-Bass) Guitar. It’s still fun to jam out too, but it’s obvious as to why I have twelve songs ranked ahead of it. 12.: “Latin Simone(Que Pasa Contigo?)”: Literally the only reason I don’t have this song ranked higher is because it’s the only song that’s exclusively not spoken in English, and that’s the only language I can fluently understand. The drums, the guitar, the horn, everything about it is so good(R.I.P. Ibrahim Ferrer). 11.: “Punk”: This song is a tribute to Damon Albarn’s other band, Blur. It’s the lone Punk Rock song on the album, and it’s obvious Albarn is having fun singing gibberish, as well as random space-ship style noises one would hear in a Twilight Zone episode. If I liked Punk Rock Music better, I’d rank it higher. 10.: “New Genius(Brother)”: One could argue this is a Halloween song due to the spooky “oooo” vocals in the back, eerie harmonica, and disturbing lyrics. It’s definitely one I like to creep myself out with in October. 9.: “Sound Check(Gravity)”: The beautiful intro reminds me of a theme from a Zelda video game, and some of the beautiful violin play flutters throughout the song. The main thing holding this one back in the ranking is the fact the entire song is discussing…gravity. 8.: “Man Research(Clapper)”: Unfortunately, I still don’t understand the lyrics, or title of this song, but I still love singing “ya ya ya ya ya” over, and over again, as well as that haunting “hero” chant by Albarn. Could this song actually be about mental insanity? 7.: “Rock The House”: This is the definition of classic Gorillaz: Del The Funky Homosapien, horns, various beats, catchy lyrics, rhythms that make it easy to dance to, and….a recorder? What can go wrong when you rock the house? 6.: “5/4:” The song title is relevant, since that’s the time measure of the song, and you didn’t hear “she turned the dead on”, whether those should have been the lyrics, or not. This is the only song on the album with a touch of Country Music blended within it(and thank God for that). 5. “M1A1”: This is such an incredible way to end the album! With what is probably the loudest Gorillaz song ever, the opening was taken from the movie Day Of The Dead, and the build up to the climax is one of the most euphoric experiences I’ve ever had. 4. “Slow Country”: I don’t know if they referred to speed, a location, or if they meant “rural”, but the title is irrelevant here: This song is perfect for playing on your beach vacation. The tropical “breeze”, Albarn’s soothing voice, and the organ make this a fun Summer jam. 3. “19-2000”: The title of the song, and meaning of the lyrics is saying what we already knew: We ventured into a new millennium. With the voice of “Noodle”, the quirky beats, and the very catchy tune, it’s easy to see why this made my top three. At the time, there was a tremendous amount of excitement going into the new millennium(don’t blame them; they didn’t know any better). 2.: “Tomorrow Comes Today”: The title is an oxymoron, and then we quickly figure out that’s the point. In the most serious, and dark song on the album, the Gorillaz successfully predicted the technological, and digital takeover of the 21st Century, and it’s a terrifying experience we can hear in Albarn’s voice. 1. :”Clint Eastwood”: Titled after the famous American actor(due to the allusions hear in the song from the movie, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly), the greatest Gorillaz song of all time, and one of the greatest songs in the 21st Century takes the number one spot. The bass drums, Del The Funky Homosapien spitting out some of the best rap verses we’ll ever hear, the haunting chorus, the melodica, and the length of the song make this such an incredible journey. Personally, I think this would have been the ideal song as an outro, but what do I know?

Solid album. Wasn't sure what to expect and enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Not my usual listen but I'm glad I heard it.

Love

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.

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

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.

very good album, didnt love my first listen but it’s really grown on me. feels oddly similar to the avalanches

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!

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.

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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

yes let’s fucking GO 4.8

overall good. very unique songs. 19 - 2000, clint Eastwood, tomorrow comes today, and Fracis Forever standout. a huge mix of styles.

81/100. Gorillaz’s self-titled debut album is a great record packed with genre-blending creativity. It played a major role in pushing trip-hop forward and served as inspiration for many artists that followed. With its unique sound and experimental production, it remains a great listen that still feels fresh today.

I knew of Gorillaz but hadn’t listened to much of their material. Some interesting stuff here, I enjoyed 5/4, Clint Eastwood one of their biggest.. can’t say that it’s been one of my favorite albums from the project but I would listen again. 3.5/5

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.

Almost there, but ultimately unsatisfying. Like a single coat of cheap paint in a really great color on a dry wall. Also, their art inexplicably gives me the heebie jeebies.

I feel bad giving this a 3 since it’s so well produced, but alas. What massive attack wishes they sound like.

Day 27 - June 28, 2024 I have no idea why this album is classified as rock lmao. Not my cup of tea, but it had catchy songs. 3/5

No. 210/1001 Re-Hash 3/5 5/4 3/5 Tomorrow Comes Today 4/5 New Genius 3/5 Clint Eastwood 4/5 Man Research 3/5 Punk 3/5 Sound Check 3/5 Double Bass 2/5 Rock the House 3/5 19-2000 2/5 Latin Simone 3/5 Star Shine 2/5 Slow Country 4/5 M1 A1 2/5 Average: 2,93 Album didn't really work for me.

I like maybe two total songs made by them, one of which was on the album (Clint Eastwood). Otherwise I don't get the appeal of their music. Sure, they have a unique sound and they use cartoon characters to represent themselves but outside of that... this was just... meh? 6/10.

Nice little album to turn on and chill to.

Most of it was nonsense and noise, but there was a song or two that were tolerable

Um. This isn't a bad record, there are interesting things here and there, and it has some elements that are musically cool. That said, it makes me think of a quote from a friend of mine -- "the Black Eyed Peas are the sort of musical act you think about creating with your friends when you are nine" -- Gorillaz are basically that sort of thing, somewhat updated, less dance oriented, more of a trip hop sort of feel in places. I don't understand why this album is on this list and Digable Planets "Refutation" isn't -- hell, I'd take Beastie Boys "Check Your Head" or "Hello Nasty" over this, even with several BB albums on the list already. (I discovered later that this seems to have been removed from more recent editions of the list LOL)

If Screamdelica had been better, it would have sounded like this, which is still only okay.

I hate this album. This isn't coming from any bias, as I have never listened to it before, and I actually like a few Gorillaz songs - but this album is just absolute dogshit. It's inattentive, vapid, uncreative, boring, and honestly painful to listen to. I had to fight the urge to turn it off half way through. Fuck this album.

2001 - 64 mins. Clint Eastwood and 19-2000 are the hits. First few were ok, clint and 19-2000 weren't as good as I remembered. Didn't like falsetto, couple cringe songs. Towards the end 4 skips in a row. 1.5/5

95/1089 - A Top 5 album for me. Very creative and catchy instrumentals, lots of different vocals from Damon Albarn and others (even the ones that sound bad/out of tune like "Gravity" fit the context of the song) and a definitive Y2K sound and message.

I love this album. I love the concept. I can listen all the way through, and it feels like a journey through the world of these cartoon characters.

Debut by the virtual band. Excellent, playful 2000s rock. Very varied and quirky, a lot of bangers.

LOVE IT! Amazing album.

No change up No curveball Nothing but straight GAS

Solid debut album!

Wow Gorillaz self-titled debut? Is it even fair to rate or comment on an album I've been revisiting and enjoying for nearly 25 years? It's in my bones, it's in my blood. But yeah, great. So much of it holds up. Crazy and inventive Damon Albarn side project produced with Dan the Automator?? Every song still as cool and good as the last time I listened to it. How do you come up with an idea as silly as "Let's make a virtual cartoon band" and it all works this well? And it's enough of a hit that they just kept doing it? Slow Country is the track I revisit the most for whatever reason and holding off on jumping to that track and just experiencing the album from front to back again was neat. 19-2000 > Slow Country > Tomorrow Comes Today > Starshine > Double Bass > Re-Hash > Sound Check > 5/4 > Clint Eastwood > Latin Simone > Rock the House > M1 A1 > New Genius > Punk > Man Research Hahah it feels kinda crazy to give this a 5 but I don't know what else to do. It's a 5!

5/5 amazing.

One of my fav bands of all time. I recall being blown away by this album—totally original. I can see how it’s so influential.

Great album. Top 5 shows I've ever been to. I was not aware the women from Chiba motto were on the album until yesterdays listen!

Good shit. But I think Demon Days is the better album.

This album meanders around a lot. It sounds like what it is, a couple of musicians fucking around. If that's not your thing, you probably won't enjoy this. However, if you're under 30, try and recognize how different the world was 20 years ago. The late 90s/early 00's were marrying rock and hip-hop everywhere. A lot of people were super upset about it. Gorillaz was always about making the music that these creators wanted to hear in the world. So many collaborators, lending to the albums eclectic sound. Gorillaz will always be the act that got me to seriously listen and consider hip-hop. Del's diction, flow and charisma won me over with Rock the House. Such a laid back and fun little jam. It goes without saying that Clint Eastwood had radio stations (and MTV/Fuse) in a vice grip for a while after it's release. It might not be the best album by Gorillaz, but their self-titled album is undeniably culturally pervasive.

NE

Ten out ten, no notes. Damon Albarn really can do it all, from paid back stripped away melancholy to upbeat and hostile punk. A great debut with lots of new and interesting ideas post blur. Only surpassed by it's follow up.

Most interesting sound and collaborative effort of the 2000's.

Nice and chilled. I like it.

Overall: 9/10 It's my birthday today and I almost cried from happiness when I saw this one pop up. I've been a huge Gorillaz fan since Plastic Beach came out (15 years ago!). I'm gonna mostly focus on Damon Albarn here because to me, he IS Gorillaz. I know that Jamie Hewlett is also incredibly important from a visual standpoint but this is Damon's baby. This is what happens when an artist is unchained and free to do whatever the hell they want. The genre hopping on this thing is crazy, with elements of hip hop, punk, ambient, electronica, etc. There's so many interesting sounds going on, and while it tends to be inconsistent in places, it's never boring. The guest artists add a lot to the album and that trend would continue with further Gorillaz releases. This isn't the best Gorillaz album but it's probably the most important album in their (his?) discography. The idea of a fully animated band was completely original at the time and we've had other completely animated musical artists since. Plus, it showed just how great of a musical mind Damon Albarn has. (Also coincidentally my second "perfect" rated album in a row to feature Tina Weymouth lol) Fav Song: 19-2000 Least Fav Song: Man Research (Clapper)

Love this album

Pour moi, le meilleur mariage alternatif-hip hop. Le son a son identité propre tout en demeurant profondément américain, funky mais graveleux

A game changer and so original when it came out. I still revisit this album often. Demon Days gotta be on this list too!

14/03/25 A classic and unique album. This is the first time I've listened to it.

This one and 'Demon Days' are peak Gorillaz. Listen to 'G-Sides' right after for the full experience.

Es el hijo del think tank de Blur! 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🤘🏻👌🏻

One of my favorites. A fantastic album

Favorite tracks: Re-Hash, 5/4, Clint Eastwood, Rock The House, 19-2000, Slow Country, M1 A1 I loved this album when it came out. 20+ years later and in this context, I feel like I'm listening for the first time again. In 2001, I was still in the throes of pop fandom (Backstreet Boys, Britney, etc.), but juuust starting to discover other music. My tastes had a lot to do with my (parasocial) relationship to the artists. So it was extremely cool that I didn't know who made this. I mean, now it seems obvious, but at the time? Impenetrable to me. That is SO COOL, right?! How often does that happen? Plus, I loved the characters, I loved the lore, I loved the aesthetic. I was so excited when a video was released for 19-2000, because that was my favorite song on the album and music videos meant a lot to me. Honestly it might still be my favorite track. So weird, so catchy. HERE YOU GO! Looking back, it's clear this album had a stronger-than-I-realized influence on how my musical tastes evolved. So, yeah, there's nostalgia at play here, but honestly this album is still excellent: innovative then, and remains innovative now. Perfect blend of genres that hits all the right notes for me. Every time I finish listening to it, I immediately restart it. 5 stars.

Banger of an album and a very successful musical experiment by Damon and co. Too many good tracks - Tomorrow Comes Today, Clint Eastwood, Rock the House, 5/4, etc. And all the album tracks in between are brilliant and set the mood perfectly. Having now listened to Portishead thanks to the generator, I can now see the connection and influence between them, particularly with the trip-hop elements in tracks like New Genius (Brother). Enjoyed listening to this again, I’ve got it on repeat now!

Easy, easy 5 for me. This is one of the albums I can remember getting as a teen and listening to almost non-stop. Even my mom really enjoyed it at the time and this was NOT her normal type of music.

This is such a great album from front to back. Easily in my top 10 albums of all time.

This is an all time favorite album

Another album I had heard some songs from, but this was my first time hearing the whole thing. Cool beats throughout, a lot slower and more repetitive than I expected given the songs I was more familiar with. Great listen.

I love this album. It's nostalgic for me, it's got a great innovative sound, it's easy to listen to but also really entertaining and takes a lot of turns. I dare say, this is a 5.

Oh just going to casually create one of the greatest blends of genres for a side project as you do? Wow cheers Damon

Album of my childhood, defined a lot of future listening for me. 5/5

Awesome album, hugely experimental - just feels like people in the studio saying “hey let’s try this out” and switching up the vibe every song. I can appreciate a lot of different styles of music so this is my ideal kind of album where it’s obviously just really creative people having fun and playing around to see what sticks for them. Eastwood is the highlight, but things like Punk, Double Bass (which is just a Bond game menu theme) & Latin Simone are so cool to include where it’s clearly just them playing around with that different kinds of music and seeing what they can do. Four songs added to my playlist, ten songs added to the 1001 playlist

I had some of this on cassette when I grew up, it's close to being some of the first music I owned. I can remember seeing the music video for 19-2000 and being completely entranced around the age of five. So it's fair to say I'm well and truly nostalgia giggled, but I've always come back to listen to this. For me, Demon Days is the real five, but it's not on the list. That said, you can hear the building blocks here, or maybe more accurate to look at it like a tree sprouting the different branches that would go on to be realised in Demon Days. I love the mythology around the band, but as I've grown older I've also come to appreciate how much you can hear Damon Albarn completely embracing a new emerging genre after spending so many years enjoying mainstream success in another. It doesn't sound like someone getting in a band wagon, it sounds like someone enjoying a well earned try at something new. Anyway I'm rambling, I liked the album. The remixes are great fun too.

Outstanding. I love these guys.

Grew up listening to this album. One of my all time favourites.

Incredible how different all of their albums sound. This isn’t their best, but a good intro album. Hope to see some others on this list

There is an eerie darkness that pervades the entirety of the album full of nearly unskippable offerings. With this initial album, the Gorillaz were still characters that can easily be heard throughout the album as if they were real. Del the Funky Homosapien offers all of the rap on the album, as supposed to the following albums which utilize many guests. Here everything sits as a single offering album, one that after all these years hasn’t really aged and has remained relevant and cool.

Truly spectacular mushroom hunting album

Excellent reveal from a now iconic band. Good combination of electronic and Damon Albarns rock roots. You could argue that it was a huge influence on the electro alt music of the 2000s. Great features from Del the funky Homosapien. Likes: Clint Eastwood, 19-2000, Rock the House, Tomorrow Comes Today Dislikes: None

I love this album. It's one of the first album's I ever bought and has such a grimey vibe that suits a debut animated band. It is full of atmosphere and just a taste of what is to come. It helps that it is a little nefarious and almost Gothic in its approach to some things as that is very much my jam.

Well, my review didn't end up getting saved which is a bummer. Basically this album was super rad. The beats were really cool and there was some nice variety. It was the perfect album to get into the zone to because it was just meditative and chill enough but also it was interesting enough that I could just really groove to it.

THIS ALBUM RIPS. I love how experimental this is and how it just works. The fusion of so many cool sounds under the guise of a "virtual band." Its alt rock, dub, ska, hip hop, rock, punk, new wave, krautrock, electronic. But it's all so tight and cohesive. The whole album flows so perfectly and really nothing ever feels out of place. Its truly a "music producers" record. Its basically an hour of showing music producer porn and showing off, but it totally works. Every song is crafted perfectly to fit the vibe and story of the record, but each song is totally unique and would stand on its own. Which I think is kind of rare for an album like this. I also love that there really isn't / wasn't anything like this when it came out. Its really unique.

Lots of people pioneered this sound on the cusp of the new century, a blend of pop and hip-hop and cartoonery. What’s surprising here is how fun and funky and fresh it still sounds!

Maybe I'm nostalgia baited, but the album is great! Love what they were cooking.

Love this album, love Gorillaz. Clint Eastwood is a BANGER

I like this album

You know, compared to the next two albums they would release, I feel like Gorillaz's debut is a little bit overshadowed. It doesn't have the narrative tightness of Feel Good Inc. or Plastic Beach, and in a way, the sound here is a bit more wild and all over the place, maybe even garage/ punk. You can definitely tell the more DIY sound as Damion Albarn tries to figure everything out and I kinda miss that on the next few albums, even if they are better overall. 9/10

it's Gorillaz, it's good.

I have heard this like 10 times at this point- for me it’s great

Solid Album has some hits on it.