The Good, The Bad & The Queen

A good but somewhat boring listen. No particular track really stood out.

Unsurprisingly, it sounds very like Blur - leaning more towards the gentler, whimsical, mildly psychedelic end of Blur, heavily indebted to The Kinks for the melodic sense.

Decent little album

Ganz schön. Konzeptuell und atmosphärisch.

I gave 3 stars because it was better of the one before but worthed 2 stars. The voice is the same of blur

Northern Whale - very silly instrumentals, but didn't sound bad. Whale sounds on the guitar were pretty neat. Distinctly Gorillaz D-Sides energy. Enjoyed the vocals on this too. Herculean - liked the instrumentals in the one Title track is a good jam. None of the other songs are worth writing home about, nor are they terrible. It's pretty cool that Damon Albarn worked on this album after his masterpiece Demon Days, got all the mediocre songs out of his system, and followed that up with another brilliant album in the form of Plastic Beach.

to preface this i fucking love albarn's vocals on gorillaz. i think he has great energy and can even do melancholy well but holy fuck his mumbly ass needs to speak up on this album. its crazy how much contempt this review process has made me have for vocalists ruining otherwise good projects. if there was an instrumental version of this album it would be an easy 4 for me, because goddamn if they don't have the fucking supergroup of supergroups here. some of the coolest, jazziest, smoothest instrumentals i've heard in a long time. i'd never heard of this project before and it seems like something right up my alley between the whiney leftist anti-war political leanings, the smooth, experimental jazziness and the gorillaz involvement. but honestly i'm somewhat glad i hadn't because i ultimately left feeling dissapointed. albarn isnt even the wrong vocalist for this project, he's just approaching it poorly. i get this release is meant to feel/embody the depression and hopelessness of it's themes but that doesn't mean you need to mumble like a 14 year old boy who just found out women get periods and doesn't understand why they have to go through so much

Half these tracks are one MF DOOM feature away from being on demon days. When I saw this is a Damon Albarn side project I immediately assumed it would be forty minutes of the sounds of an Englishman wanking into his own mouth, however, I quite enjoyed this album. It really just feels like titular album/demon days era Gorillaz b sides that sneak into the slow part at the end of the album after the jaunty hits are out of the way. Vocals are pretty good and the instrumental work was pretty great. Overall this is a bit of a homebrand gorillaz but I enjoyed it. It’s another puzzler of “Why is this album on this list?” Because while it’s a good listen I’ve never heard of it before and I don’t really know anyone else who probably would have. This is a high 3 for me. Nearly scraped into 4 by a hair but I don’t know that I’d really go back to many of these tracks.

It's miraculous to me that someone like Damon Albarn whose the vast majority of his work is criticised in sounding like Gorillaz B-cuts even with 4 other known artists collaborating on the project still achieves this. I do love his voice but c'mon all this shit sounds like the Fall just a bit better. Albarn doesn't know when to quit or atleast take his time, he has so many projects beneath his belt and countless albums but only a handful of great ones. I actually liked the vast majority of songs, the opening and closing tracks are definitely the highlights but it took me a couple listens to really get into the album. 7/10 Fav tracks - History Song, Northern Whale, Herculean, Behind the Sun, The Bunting Song, Nature Springs, Three Changes, The Good the Bad and the Queen Least Fav - 80s life, Soldier Tale

Better than expected. A little top heavy. High 3.

I read that this is supposed to be a "supergroup", but the only member I know is Paul Simonon of the Clash. Nothing particularly super about this album to me. Can't even remember anything specific.

I don’t understand why Damon Albarn needs a side project to write about England. Blur already does this. It’s cool that this was a supergroup though and the last track was my favorite.

Never heard of these guys or the backstory! Pretty interesting to see how the groups influences/backgrounds mesh. I hear a lot of the verve and gorillaz. After all is said and done, the album isnt super memorable after 2 listens. Maybe it takes some more reps So far, I really liked Herculean

Enjoyed it and think I’d like it more with more listens. No real weak spots (but no major highs either)

It's definitely interesting though I'm not sure if I like it. Probably deserves a second or third listen

Paul Simonon's bass playing makes this album.

Boring, but inoffensive. It was nice. All the songs blend together in my mind, so the lack of range is a bit of a detriment, though none of the songs are bad. Just no spark. 3/5

3.5

Was never aware of this other project of Damon and friends. Enjoyed. 3.5 stars.

It’s ok

The good is good, the bad is bad. Pure definition of a 3.

-Pretty cool omg. Damon Albarn and Fela Kuti drummer guy together was not something I knew existed but I’m glad does. Some songs def very reminiscent of Gorillaz which I actually prefer to Blur -Favorites are History Song, Herculean, and The Bunting Song

Back to back Albarns. This was pretty cool. I remember my mom listening to this when it came out. Overall pretty neat but it didn't grab me like The Coral did. I'll give it another listen eventually though, as I was stuck in traffic while listening and was on full brain auto pilot. Album cover: C+. The background image is cool, but the typography is pretty lackluster.

Great name. Not as good music but not awful.

After about thirty minutes of thinking that all the refrains sounded like the Gorillaz, I googled this album and learned that it is yet another Damon Albarn project. It was OK, I didn't have any negative feelings but I was a little bored. None of the songs truly gripped me. If I had to pick one then I'd say the first song, History Song, was the best one. Herculean sounded the most like a Gorillaz song. 6/10

Never heard this before. I like the variety of influences and styles, but ultimately doesn't resonate with me. Part of the issue is Alburn's voice. Sometimes he sounds like he's searching for the note. I think this might be a stylistic choice as opposed to just being a bad singer, but it generally doesn't work for me. The music and the arrangements are solid. "And the country didn't look the same that day"

Low key album with subtle hints of coolness and nice melodies, but you have to work hard to get to that through the monotony of blah. Nature Springs, History Song and Herculean are fine. The last song, The Good, The Bad and the Queen finally had some spunk and unexpected timing changes. The rest of the album felt like I was sleep walking though the rainy streets of London. 2.5 stars rounded up.

Interesting...had never heard of them but would listen to it again.

I was quite into this album when it was released. Can’t remember why or how I was introduced to it as Blur and Gorillaz stuff is not my cup of tea. Think I might even had the CD which I later sold to Music Magpie when I went temporarily went CD free. My favourite track and the one I suspect convinced me to buy the CD was the very last track with the same name of the band. Listening today that still remains my fave. As for the rest it’s a bit meh. Nice to be reminded of it but nothing special. 2.5/5 28/7/24

Damon Albarn jam sesh #37: 1001 authors: Straight on the list!

Hmmm... never really heard of them. This band kinda lacks an oomph. And energy about them. I'm not really blown away by any of the songs.

Brings back some memories

Never heard of this Damon Albarn album. Good pick

I enjoyed it. 3.5

Liked it

Some strong songs.

I kind of like History Song, I almost like Northern Whale, Nature Springs, A Soldier’s Tale

не думала что у Деймона ещё группа найдётся а вот она! ну с одного раза как-то слишком меланхолично (и даже не сказать что слишком концептуально, просто не за что зацепиться)

Se trata de uno de los proyectos de Damon Albarn, vocalista de Blur y Gorillaz. En este se hace acompañar por el exmiembros de The Clash y The Verve. La música va de lo folk al brit pop y es como una versión simplificada pero experimental de Blur. A menudo los sonidos de los sintetizadores y otros efectos, se integran con la batería, bajo y guitarra que tienen un sonido más orgánico y menos procesado, lo que crea una extraña atmósfera. Creo que los tracks que más me han gustado son aquellos donde la guitarra acústica sobresale y se acompaña con la percusión y el contrabajo. Recomiendo tracks 1, 8 y 10.

Very difficult to assess and rate this album. It is truly different sounding from anything else, musically, lyrically and thematically (London connection). Notable songs are 'Herculean" and "Kingdom of Doom".

Man, I'm mixed on this. I don't like it, but I think it's good. Opera is like that for me. Sounds impressive, and I don't like it. Not equating this to opera, just meandering.

the good, the bad & the queen the good, the bad & the queen 2007 1. history song: 8/10 2. 80s life: 6.5/10 3. northern whale: 7.5/10 4. kingdom of doom: 6/10 5. herculean: 5.5/10 6. behind the sun: 6/10 7. the bunting song: 6.5/10 8. nature springs: 7/10 9. a soldier’s tale: 7.5/10 10. three changes: 8/10 11. green fields: 7/10 12. the good, the bad & the queen: 7/10 overall rating: 6.7/10

A good album, quite pretty! I hadn’t come across it before! Damon Albarn has a ton of projects, and a lot of them are hit or miss I feel like.. but I enjoyed this and like to hear him doing something a little dreamier and more straightforward. Last couple tracks are especially good!

I enjoyed this but it felt like a very minor work? Not really sure why it’s on this list but fun! Damon Albarn’s music always feels, at best, mildly interesting and pleasant.

I sorta have nothing to say about this one other than it is some perfectly serviceable indie rock music, not a huge Albarn fan - but of course my fav drummer Tony Allen shines on this thing and it was pretty fun overall!

3.25

Not sure how i missed this group as I am generally a fan of most things Damon Albarn does. I really enjoyed it. But it does land in my category of really enjoyed but not sure a top 1000.

Quand j'ai appris que Damon Albarn et Paul Simonon étais sur cette album, la hype a montée vite. Malheureusement, c'est plutôt oubliable et surprenamment mou pour le calibre des deux artistes

This is one of those albums I am going to forget I listened to in a month. It is fine, but very one note and not much stands out. low 3

Liked it, thought it sounded a lot better first and second listen but eventually lost me a bit High 3?

My second time listening to this album. It's something I should like as it features Damon Albarn and is produced by Danger Mouse. This album is just too boring, especially compared to Gorillaz. It's alright while listening to it but is overall forgettable.

Which Damon Albarn will we find on TGTB&TQ? The Blur one? Or the Gorillaz one? Encouraged by the inclusion of the Clash’s Paul Simonon, a bit worried by the inclusion of the Verve’s Simon Tong, and puzzled by Tony Allen (Fela Kuti’s Africa ‘70). Most of all though, intrigued by producer Danger Mouse, who’s work in Gnarls Barkley, Danger Doom, and Broken Bells, and stroke of genius with “The Grey Album” all made for a pretty impressive 00’s for him. But somehow I had never heard of TGTB&TQ. He also produced the second Gorillaz album, so I had hopes that this would be more on the Gorillaz end of the Albarn spectrum. And it turned out to be somewhere squarely in between Blur and Gorillaz. Not quite as good as the latter, but much preferred to the former. There are some Gorillaz-y elements on TGTB&TQ, but they don’t develop the way they would on a Gorillaz album. If I had heard this before Gorillaz, I wonder if I would have felt differently about it? Back to Danger Mouse, though. I think he deserves more credit than just a couple of production credits on the list. The wide range of artists he has worked with, and his impact on guiding and sometimes reshaping their sound, is matched by few others. And his “St. Elsewhere” and “Broken Bells” albums with Cee-Lo Green and James Mercer, respectively, are deserving of acclaim all their own.

Of the Damon Albarn albums on this list, this falls somewhere between Blur (2 stars) and Gorillaz (4 stars).

man, i didn't know what to expect from this one going in. i wasn't familiar with the name but saw that damon albarn and danger mouse were attached, so i was cautiously optimistic, knowing that both of them have made some quality stuff. i really didn't care for this one. it wasn't bad, i just really found it a bit boring. i felt like the pacing didn't suit my liking and the quality of the songs i didn't care too much for. the musicianship here was good but there were not very many moments that stood out to me. i did enjoy the title track and how it built, but other than that, nothing really stood out to me.

Was I aware of this band previously? I’m not sure. It was not unpleasant but not sure it had the charm of the Travelling Wilburys.

Better than blur

not bad

Alvin the chipmunk on some of the background vocals

It aight kinda tuned it out while working. - 6/10

Sounded kinda like Gorillaz and then I saw that this dude was involved with Demon Days. Pretty interesting listen. Cool instrumentals. High 3.

wasn't paying a ton of attention to this

6/10 - A bunch of the intros are super cool, but they get worse when it gets to the middle of the songs. The whole album was alright. I think they each had good potential with their intros but the song itself never lived up to the hype I was feeling.

Not long after my Alex Turner randomly assembled side project, here's Damon Albarns. Pretty tame/bland again. Last song the best, which makes me think he had a good idea for a song and decided to name both the band and the album after it. Very inoffensive. Doesn't deserve to be anywhere near this list, which makes me want to mark it down, but I'll refrain.

Listenable and enjoyable, not world changing.

Of course it's Damon Albarn

I loved this album at the time but I wouldn't miss it if I never heard it again.

Rock - nothing stood out

Didn't dislike this, but at the same time nothing jumped out at me.

I mean, it's fine. It's there. But it's not particularly interesting in any way.

Come on England 3.5 HL: “Northern Whale”, “Nature Springs”, “Green Fields”, title May 21, 2024

History Song - I liked it 4/5 80s Life - Nah, not my sorta of music. 1/5 Northern Whale - nah, same. 1/5 Kingdom of Doom - back to 'interesting' 4/5 Herculaen- good music, nice soft rounded sound 4/5 Behind the sun - album filler. 2/5 The bunting song - a boring 1/5 Nature springs - I enjoyed 4/5 A soldiers tale - awfully boring 1/5 Three changes - over-experimental slowed down ska 1/5 ...hit and miss album, so it gets an average 3 star

Hey, this sounds like the “woo hoo!” Guy. Hey, this IS the “woo hoo!” Guy!

Not bad. It was a little boring here and there. Probably won't return to this. 3/5

fín

Not bad but Tony Allen was severely underused here

I see Damon Albarn, I'm intrigued Enjoying the sound, something very different. 3* because not sure about fave album territory.

Meh

It's alright, but pretty much any given Gorillaz album is more dynamic and interesting.

Seemed okay. Felt quiet and respectful, like music you'd hear around a campfire if a full band was playing. History Song was my favourite track.

Not unlistenable. It has its pleasant moments, but this album feels monotonous and unoriginal. I’m left unconvinced that this album has a place on this list.

I probably would like this more if there were at least one or two upbeat songs. But kinda felt the same and plodded on. But I like Damon Albarn so it gets a higher score than what I would've given it normally.

This is a supergroup with Damon Albarn (Blur/Gorillaz), and includes band members from The Clash and The Verve, and a well-known drummer and producer. I thought it was pretty average actually, but this kind of thing isn’t reallly my genre. Listens: 1 Fave Track: Herculean Rating: 3

Art rock. Ni fu ni fa.

Did everything Damon Albarn touch need to be on here? No. No it didn't.

The Good, The Bad & The Queen by The Good, The Bad & The Queen Basically a blur & Gorillaz album about England. Damon Albarn group created to write songs about England. It's ok, nothing spectacular. 3/5

Despite my badmouthing a good amount of British music on this list, I do enjoy many artists that happen to be British. One of the best to ever do it is Damon Albarn and I am always open to see what he's up to. I wasn't aware of this project before my listen and while it's not up to Gorillaz or Blur levels, I found it to be enjoyable, but not particularly memorable. Paul Simonon from the Clash is also always appreciated. 3.5 stars

Enjoyed this album, but no more than a blur or gorillas album which I have given 4, so by default makes this a 3.

Danger Mouse phoned this one in. He's usually so much more involved with the beats and overall sound. Damon Albarn is, well, he's just Damon Albarn. That's not bad but god damn is it predictable as hell. He found his voice with Blur and has ridden every producer since. Don't get me wrong, I love his sound and voice, but it'd be nice to get some variety from him.

Seemed older than 2007

Some pretty good stuff on here. Didn't blow my mind but def enjoyed it.

While moody and grandiose in its conceptual design, the production’s a step too slick and the prevailing feeling I walk away with is one of heavy-blanketed languidity.

Didn't hate it and it held me till the end but I was done with it by the end.

It was okay. Kinda had a Smiths whiney vibe

this was an entirely unknown to me and feels halfway between steampunk ass nerd music (which i loved at like, 13) and broken bells (which i loved at like, 17) so statistically, there IS a balance point where teenage me would have adored this, probably

This album was fine but after a listen through I don't remember much of it. It was fairly standard mid 2000s alt-rock. Damon Albarn's work ethic and range is impressive, but of all his projects, this one stood out to me the least.

It was alright, a bit underwhelming.

I had not heard of this band and none of these songs are familiar to me, so I'm pretty sure this is all new to me. I enjoyed listening to this album. Interesting approach to rock and pop, very cool compositions and performances. I'll come back to this one.

i would have expected this to be better than it is, all texture no tunes

This was pretty good. I've never heard of it before but I enjoyed it. Some good early 2000s rock/alternative music that never got much press, but overall it wasn't bad

Worst band name. Never heard any of it before.. Some good tunes. I really like History Song. The guitar bit in 80’s Life sounds like it’s straight out of a late 50’s pop tune. Wonder if it was a plan to sample As Tears Go By in Northern Whale or just recognition after the fact. Good track, though. And I guess it just rolls that way - a bunch of very listenable tracks that don’t get me that excited. I’ve given it 3 or 4 spins and it’s hard to knock it.

Not a big fan of DA,s nasally voice but some nice sounds here. A bit Radiohead in places. ..not a bad thing

This was OK. I liked some elements of it, but on the whole it felt a bit milquetoast. I couldn't tell you what's missing or why it didn't totally work for me, but I feel like this band has the potential to make much better music that what they put on this album.

4/12, 33%

Was expecting based on the title and band name some wicked punk along the lines of the Sex Pistols, but it's actually a supergroup from the 2000s with Damon Albarn of the Gorillaz and musicians from the Clash, the Verve, and Fela Kuti, all acts we've had on this list. This is a pretty good album, a couple songs I liked. Genre isn't anything mind-blowing, just some solid rock, veering into art-rock territory. Not something I'm interested in seeking more of, but it's pretty good. Favorite tracks: History Song, Kingdom of Doom, A Soldier's Tale, Three Charges. Album art: An old art-style scene of what appears to be a church burning, with many onlookers. I really love this style, it looks authentic. The title is great to me, we calling the Queen ugly. Cool cover. 3.5/5

I didn’t get all the way through it, but definitely plan to. I liked it. It has Milky Chance vibes.

I hadn’t ever heard of this group before but then I looked up their lineage and was completely shocked. Also had no idea that there was a connection between Blur and Gorillaz, so it really is a banner day for me. I mostly listened to this album in the background and it was excellent to let play through from beginning to end. Nothing blew me away but it’s definitely one that I’ll return to, as well as their other album.

Sounded like a later stage Gorillaz album, the same chill vibes without a lot of hooks. Not a bad listen though.

Albarn supergroup sounds like Albarn supergroup.

Täysin uusi tuttavuus. Erittäin vaikea keksiä tälle mitään selkeää kategoriaa eikä toisaalta ole tarvettakaan. Musikaalinen matka parani kerta toisensa jälkeen ja pyöritin levyn kolmesti läpi. Viihdyin.

It’s pretty solid but nowhere near as impactful as some of the Blur and Gorillaz albums that have been left off this list. No way is this a more vital listen than 13, Demon Days or Plastic Beach

Forcément un peu mieux que le reste du générateur puisque récent.

Comme d'hab un album oubliable et que j'ai par conséquent déjà oublié.

How have I never heard of this? I've been a fan of all the members for years. Then again, I listened to the full album and forgot every song the moment it ended, so that might be the reason.

Just like the Gorillaz. Almost good. But there is something of about it. It's missing something to make it catch.

Never hear them or even knew they existed. Not terrible, with a few more listens might grow on me. Though not sure why it's on this list....

Little bit dreary. Star cast but there was only really 1 Song I latched on to

The ideas in this album are fun, but they kind of feel like "leftovers" from stuff that didn't make it into Demon Days. Entire songs made up of the crooning and guitar work that would be the bridge of a Gorillaz song. I definitely miss the hip hop influence that Gorillaz has here. Without that energy, the songs are a little too dull for me.

I know more about the band than I do the music, and have only heard the title track before, on a Q compilation album that I played almost incessantly as a teenager. Album is very good - I'm not blown away by it but I'll definitely listen to it some more. Tracks meld into each other but not in a bad way - there's a good ebb and flow.

Another band I never heard of but I feel I should have. Didn't realize it was a supergroup w/so many accomplished players. A bit mellow but a fun album to listen to. 3

What an amazing compilation of artist collaborating together. I never realized signer Damon Albarn was involved in so many bands, but I'm a fan of both Gorillaz and Blue, so no surprise that I enjoyed this as well. If Blur is the Brit pop and Gorillaz is the alternative hip hop, then The Good The Bad and The Queen is the mellow rock side of Albarn. While I enjoyed this album, none of the songs stood out for me. I prefer his other, more upbeat styles, to this one.

Pretty alright. 3 stars.

Acceptable first listen. 6/10

I instantly recognized the lead singer’s voice from the many albums of his on this list. I’m not a huge fan of blur and while this album was better that any of those ones, I can’t give this one more than a 3. Depending on the song, I find his voice to be kind of annoying. The work of the Gorillaz is top tier but everything else is meh.

Incredibly creative and well-written, with a solid roster of talent. I wouldn't have caught on that it was supposed to be a concept album though had Wiki not told me. I could see this growing on me considerably with repeated listening. Fave Songs: Green Fields, Herculean, The Good, the Bad & the Queen, Three Changes, 80's Life, Northern Whale

One of the more interesting side projects Damon Albarn did. For me, it wouldn't top Gorillaz, but it vibes well! The line up is well formed and the songs are pretty interesting. Musically it's where the strength lies Standouts: History Song, Northern Whale, Kingdom Of Doom, Herculean, Nature Springs, Three Changes, 7 out of 10

I can't help but think that this album did not need to be made. It very much strikes me as a vanity project. While I don't object to it as an exercise in music, I don't see what value it contributes.

Ansi gott. Önnur umferð. 3,5

Good album just twas not my cup of tea. Perfect background music

Sounded really swag, want to listen fully again, as I only listened once in the car, but really enjoyed the vibes

could i write poetry to this? i did but it was technically bad

A good album and cool artifact, but I don't know if I'd use the word "essential" to describe it.

‘Ave a butchers at this one me China, propa Lundun innit

Interesting and unique sound. Cool alternative vibe. I like it.

Coming after Parklife in my list, one of the three Blur-less Damon manifestations (solo, Gorillaz) and perhaps the weakest of the three. Pleasant enough but a distinct lack of killer tunes.

Not for me

This album wasn't bad but I can't really picture myself listening to it again.

Actually purchased a download on this around when it came out (Herculean was getting a lot of play on a local alt rock station and my young child liked it). Haven't listened to it a whole lot since. I like it, but overall maybe the content is a little thin.

forgettable but not a bad listen

Good

Pas grand chose à dire là dessus. C'est un super bande ? Jamais entendu parlé et l'album me semblait assez fade. 3

Kind of grungy punk rock with less sharp edges.

Some interesting sounds but never quite reached a point that hooked me.

Wasnt sure at fist but turned into a fun surprise - feel like this is for a specific mood- not all the time but maybe driving

it's fine. I would listen to it again, but not make an effort to do it.

Ok sound. Didn’t blow me away

Interesting listen because it’s Damon Alburn

ah it's grand. more Albarn is never a bad thing. lad is a hero. doubt i would go back though.

80s life, northern whale

A lot of really accomplished people in this band I've never heard of. I guess you had to be there, or better yet be British, as with so many things on this list. It's alright, I don't mind the innocuous indie like soundscapes they're created. No hate, no love, just listened and moving on now.

lav 3'er

is good init

Damon Albarn! BABY!! 3.8/5

Not sure why this is on this list

I feel hard to impress right now. This did very little for me.

It's OK final song was the best one.

There's nothing special about this album other than the name "Damon Albarn". Guess that's all it takes for certain folks.

Not a bad one. Not great dither but easy to listen to and sounded like guy from girillaz.

It was okay. Expected more from such a stacked band. Nothing really wowed me on this one

Rock

A bit mixed, but overall enjoyable

this was one of the albums of all time

I am going to have to give this another listen because I just had it playing in the background while I worked and wasn't paying attention to which song was which. I did stop what I was doing once and thought, this song is really good. On the other hand, I stopped to think, this song is trash, more than once. Or maybe I shouldn't waste any more time on this album and just go live my life.

I really enjoyed this and I listened to a lot of gorillas after. Interesting story behind the band. The Brit’s really love singing about the Brit’s

Listened Before? No Album Art: 2 / 5 (western font in line with the movie reference with a burning city backdrop. doesn't do much to grab the eye.. no idea what to expect) I was anticipating something more "disruptive" sounding based on the cover, but this opens with some dub-infused indie with a singer similar to Damon Albarn (jk it is Damon Albarn :P). The backing organ provides some interesting depth and creates a lived-in atmosphere. Off to a fine start. 80s Life throws away the dub in favor of a key-led song styled after an 80s slow dance. Pretty key work; pretty song. Northern Whale sounds like a super pared down Gorillas song. Heavy wall of bass with some layered sprinkling keys and harmonization. I like the song with the psych effects thrown on top (reverb, echo). A lot of the rest of the album kind of bleeds together for me. I enjoyed it being there, but didn't find too too much that peaked my interest. I'm a middle of the pack 3 / 5. Added to Library? Yes Songs Added to Playlists: - Northern Whale (sunny-vibes)

Heard about these at the time and as a Blur fan I should have been interested but of the little I heard nothing stuck. Pretty similar experience this time around. Although some songs are musically interesting, there's not really a song. The best parts of several tracks seem to be when Damon finishes singing. If you're not going to bother writing a melody just do an instrumentals album. I'm not really picking up any Tony Allen afrobeats, which is a shame. There's a couple of dub-influenced tracks which are quite good. Overall one I found relatively diverting while listening but can't say I'll go back. Yep. Got to the end and can't say I'll need to listen to that again.

Not bad at all.

Some big names in this production. A hidden gem

A solid 3.5 in my book

A cruisey new discovery.

I saw The Good, The Bad & The Queen perform this album live at JB's in Dudley in 2007. My main memory of the gig is how cool Paul Simonon looked strutting around the stage playing bass. Overall this is a decent Damon Albarn art indie curio, but it's not all that memorable. I also never previously got the 'London' concept, but am glad that the band/album name now makes sense (they all live in London). Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Kingdom of Doom Date listened: 22/10/23

Damon Albarn seems like a good enough bloke, he's on my living room wall, afterall. But I just don't love his voice. Don't think I'm cool enough to get this, like all of his stuff

Hi Damon, how are you?

Damon kan bij mij niet zoveel fout doen. Al kan het wel allemaal een tikkie spannender dan deze plaat.

Het zeurt een beetje door.

Pretty standard “indie” stuff. Kinda just sounds like my least favorite Gorillaz songs over and over again. Overuse of sampling and effects.

Always enjoy a Damon Albarn project, and with the rest of the lineup being an impressive collection of musicians/producers, this was bound to be a winner for me. Wish Tony Allen had a bit more to do percussion-wise. Did wonder how much input the collaborators had with this project, as it reminds me of other Damon Albarn solo albums. Will definitely dig in again. Good stuff.

Boring

Kinda enjoyed

3,5

Does this get a look in on this list if it's not by a supergroup? Probably not. I quite like the album, it's fine, but nothing special really. The singles are decent enough (if a bit insipid), but the real highlight is the closer. It feels like all the energy that's missing from the first 11 songs got sucked out and put into the second half of this one, it's brilliant. Otherwise, if you've not listened to this before, I wouldn't strongly recommend you do now. That last song pulls it up to a 3/5.

With an all star cast, I had high hopes for this, they even have Damon Albarn and Tony Allen who I love. Those two knock it out of the park with “Go back” check it out If you haven’t heard it, it’s fantastic. They also have Danger Mouse producing the album but somehow all the talent doesn’t seem to gel. There’s nothing really that resonates here for me. Pity.

Sounded like a throwback recording. Was very surprised to note a 2007 release.

Love albarn, but this album isn't really for me.

Better than expected. First song is a banger. 3.5/5.

OK. Some interesting moments.

Today the fault's mine: I feel as driven as unable to given Albarn some original due. The start's stronger than the more usual material; The group seems most interesting as an example of Damon's orbits, less bombastic from within. But the playing's good, even if the human rhythm section is pleasantly buried by Danger Mouse.

the sum of the parts really should have made this better than it is. the dubby bits were really good but its so fucking wet in parts. seeing as how the new blur album has come out its pretty apparent where the limp element of this outfit comes from. different singer and this could have been great.

The good, the bad and the okay.

Nicely produced mix of sounds but lifeless

Decent to good rock, bit too long but in the end missing maybe one or two standout songs

Generally enjoyable but didn't blow me away or anything. Little bit tepid feeling at times.

C'était un bon album, on voyait vraiment beaucoup l'influence de Damon Albarn dessus. Généralement très bien fait, bonnes compositions, sons variés, pas vraiment de moments faibles, mais rien qui m'a wow non plus. 7/10

Initially I like the vibe but ultimately I found the album a bore. Not bad, I do like to overall sound, I just didn't find anything that would make me come back. Or that necessitated a first listen, tbh. 2.5 rounding up for the album art.

The Good, The Bad & The Queen are a British supergroup (plus Tony Allen on drums) that mostly sound like Blur or Gorillaz leftovers. It's also worth noting that Danger Mouse is on production here was part of the band's inception. The thing about supergroups is that the name implies a sort of meeting of the minds. The greatest musicians of our time coming together and making magic, so to speak. I have two points to challenge this idea: 1. Successful songwriting requires that all (or most) members of a band have good chemistry and are on the same page about the kind of music they're making, and 2. Members of currently-active bands might be more keen to save their best songs for their more well-known bands. Hence my issues with this album. Damon Albarn would have been in between Gorillaz albums when recording The Good, The Bad & The Queen and I have no doubt that the better/more interesting songs went to Plastic Beach sessions instead. The Good, the Bad & the Queen is not a bad album, but it's certainly not an interesting one. I only mention Albarn because he would've been the only member who was still with an active project. Paul Simonon had only been doing guest spots through the 2000's, and Simon Tong was effectively a Gorillaz studio guitarist after The Verve called it quits in 1999. Tony Allen is a different story since he effectively achieved legendary status after his work with Fela Kuti & The Africa 70, so he would end up drumming for a few notable names in addition to his solo work. What surprises me how sparse the drums can be on this album. On occasion, Allen is replaced by a goddamn drum machine which feels like a slap in the face. I understand the somber atmosphere that is being achieved here, but if I had Allen behind the drums I would want each song to be a groove-focused with undeniable rhythm. You don't get much of that here. I'll say that it actually picks up near the end, so it's worth sticking it out. This is especially true for the closing track, which is distinctly their best song.

Pretty dope

Art rock. Ni fu ni fa.

blur goes radiohead?

Pop-rock sin contemplaciones. A veces más intenso, en otras, más falto de intensidad. No me ha aportado nada especial

Sounds good

Quite nice. Sort of Oasisy

3.5

Kinda nice and has some neat elements, but fell a bit flat in the end. I got nothin'.

Sounds understandably a lot like Gorillaz, but not quite as good

If I had heard this album anywhere else, I would never have guessed it was one of the 1,001 albums. I would've betted on it being some promising young indie band who hadn't quite fulfilled their potential yet. This band have a distinctive sound. I appreciated how they drew influence from the styles of last century but with a modern edge to it. The lyricism was decent too, I just felt that most of the songs weren't particularly interesting. There were a couple of songs I liked, though. The last track was a huge letdown. I saw it was over 6 minutes and was hoping for something really epic. However, it was mostly just the same boring, uninspired instrumental for ages and ages. Favourite tracks: Kingdom Of Doom, Behind The Sun

Börjar bra med History Song. Sedan blir det lite blandad kompott. En del ok och en del inte så bra. Avslutas dock med en bra låt. 2,5 av 5.

Groupe inconnu. Par contre je ne suis pas fan de Blur, ni des Clash, ni de The Verve (2/5 pour chacun des 6 albums écoutés sur les 7 existants) et encore moins de Gorillaz (1/5). Donc sans surprise le résultat de ce mélange ne m’a pas intéressé … pas désagréable (+1) mais rien ne me donne envie d’y revenir. =>2/5

2 out of 5. Admittedly I was hoping for something a little more but it wasn't terrible either.

Not a good sign when I can predict the entire song pretty accurately from the first 5 seconds. Makes for a tedious listen. A bland, no surprises album. Honestly, when I see "supergroup" I always brace for the worst, so even the fact that I wouldn't like it wasn't a surprise.

Сара 3 Марко 2

Some moments

This was a little all over the place. Started with two songs with some interesting things but then as with many of the more unique sounding albums on the list, it went astray. The mix is off as the bass is way too prominent. Also, there are a few songs where it feels like each instrument is playing a different time signature.

somehow my cringe hipster gorillaz and danger-misc loving ass missed this, tho 2007 seems kinda late in that whole era for this. i know its millenial slop but at least theres no hint of the coming stomp clap storm

2-

Definitely the dreariest most boring thing Damon Albarn's made. You can really hear the Danger Mouse too so it sounds incredibly 2007. And how is the album cover so low res? You can do that? Kinda fun when it turns a little ska. Maybe I'd be into it if I were more English.

Disappointed, i expected to like this one more

Another mediocre English band makes the list Woo-Hoo! 2.5

It was fine. Did nothing for me really, but didn't hate it. 2.5 stars. Leaning towards 2 since I'll never put this on again

Perhaps the album title should be “The Good, the Bad, & the Boring”. You would think these successful guys would have come up with something better than this. The last track is ok, while the rest are snoozers. The bass player is very good, but the singing is subpar.

This was not bad, but my god was it boring. I will not listen to it again.

Peculiar is a way to describe this album. Uninteresting is another too. I find many ideas in here and a sonic direction that is a decision (which, in other words, means that it is bland and insipid). And, surely, there are good aspects, but the overall is very messy, redundant, as well as very tiring (the voice is just somniferous). I like the popish side of the record added to the strange arrangements that really complete the sound and make it something different, but it is still very indie in a bad sense. It becomes the same kind of "hey, I'm different, I'm strange!". But, rather than being different, this album is just a collection of boring songs with some strange sounds that do not add or complete anything in the songs. They are just there for the sake of it. But the songs are not even strong. There are no innovative melodies or anything else rather than those noises and effects that are over the songs, that feel put over the actual songs. And some arrangements also feel out of place, specially some strings. They do not feel to complement the songs, or to push further the emotion of them. However, some ideas work well at times. "The Buntling Song" is an example of a song that has nice effects and an original sound. It is not perfect, but it is an example of what is good in this record. It has some interesting aspects, but the whole project is simply collection of songs. Some are nicer, others are just boring. It fails at being a complete album. It is very tedious to listen to in its whole.

Day947 - there’s no doubt that damon albarn is super talented but other than a couple of gorillaz songs he’s not my cup of tea

Chatinho

Hatte einen Kumpel, der in der Schulzeit völlig vernarrt in dieses Album war. Den Sound finde ich interessant, aber beginnt nach einer Weile schon, mich zu nerven.

#431/1001. File under Supergroups. Or Damon Albarn projects. Too bad it sounds a bit too much like the latter. I mean, you get Tony Allen and there is no Africa on the album, what a shame. It plays like a concept album, which often, as here, also means that at some point it gets tedious and boring. You would hope there is a dramatic arch but it is a bit hard to find - or perhaps the dramatic arch is what makes the record sound like a concept album instead of a set of songs a band put together and decided which order would work best as an album, not as a story. Anyway, kind of glad I heard it, but even happier I don't ever have to listen to it again.

SUpeRgRoUp drivel

Forgettable, dubby, lo-fi sort of stuff. Damon Albarn's vocals don't really add much and seem oddly out of place on it. No moments where the light bulb came on and made me realise I liked it

If the idea of this supergroup was to create an album that would send you to sleep then they have hit the brief perfectly! Musically very good at times. However Damon’s voice just drones on and on. I will not be listening again and I’m pretty sure if a track ever appeared in the background I would not even notice it and it would stay unnoticeable. Not for me. Best track- ‘northern whale’ for the music not the voice! Worst track- ‘the title track seemed to go on forever 😵‍💫 All for the background music 4/10

this is a miss for Damon Albarn. I saw the write-up about them being a supergroup, but does that attempt ever really work outside of a couple songs here and there? Also I hate to make the comparison but it seems like they're just aping Gorillaz at points, minus the good. It feels like the production is a step behind everything on this one.

- meh .... -

5/10

final song banged, rest didn't like

There’s a ton of super groups on this list. But I don’t think any Traveling Wilburys? Anyway, I kind of did not like this.

Compelling at the start but the album has lost all steam halfway through. It is a DRAG to finish but some songs in the first third make up for it. Weird album

This was slightly more palatable than I expected it to be. It has no place on a list like this though, and is absolutely none of my business.

Remember this one, I don’t really like it, prefer Gorrilaz, or Blur

Bo-ring

#186/1001 🇬🇧 This album is an example of when the sum of its parts should equal something far greater than the end result. I have a copy of this on CD but it genuinely feels like the first time i've listened to it. I can only guess that it made a similar impression on me at the time. Best tracks: Northern Whale, Bunting Song, The Good The Bad And The Queen

Damon Albarn generally makes pretty decent and interesting music, but this is all a bit dull. Nothing really happens it just plods along.

A supergroup where nobody is at their best and the lyrics are laughable and the instrumentals are (mostly) weak... Sure, put it on the list.

Nice use of piano

Not bad, but completely inconsequential, so no idea why it’s on the list. I’d never heard of this despite being a fan of danger mouse and the Gorillaz at the time this came out.

I can’t imagine there a single person in the world who thinks this is ‘must hear’

I couldn’t think who this was, but then I remembered Damon Albarn, I couldn’t get into it at all, prefer Gorillaz.

This was honestly pretty bad. I’m not too sure why it’s here. Albarn’s voice can’t carry it here and he probably should have had some help on vocals. Overall, an entirely forgettable album.

This is not particularly good or important. It's only on this list because the compiler is impressed with the cast. These songs are "fine" but the album is not a statement.

helt okej

Interesting experiment with the names involved here. The end product...wasn't as interesting. Sounds like Damon Albarn wanted to create a Radiohead-like record and this is what we got. I'm sure some will eat this up, however.

Na I’m good. 2 stars

Supergroup? More like Supermeh. This was nothing at all more than mediocre

Ok, this band is a supergroup. But this album is far from super. I really didn't enjoyed it. 2/5

Sounds like music for disenfranchised oompa loompas, not my bag

Last album for me after 5 years of this list. And we don't go out with a bang but a whimper. This sounds like rejected Gorillaz songs to be honest. The quality is there but I'm barely retaining anything.

Listened totally blind, had not heard of this before. Ok, Damon Albarn on vocals. The bass is really loud, did they think it would somehow cover up how boring the songs are? Is this a collection of Blur songs that weren't good enough to put on Blur albums? Almost rated it a 1 just to spite the list for wasting my time today but I guess it's not that bad. Didn't hear a song that stood out as good or interesting enough to add to my 1001 playlist and I can't be arsed to give it another go. I adore Blur - Parklife, loved it when it came out and rated it a 5 just a few days ago. Wonder if I'll dig anything else from Damon that, I assume, is on this list.

folk, rock, pop. 2007 -> 2

meh. 2/5

Dit album klinkt (expres) hopeloos verouderd. Ik krijg echt jeuk van stukjes als het "pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom, pom pom, pom, pom, pom" van het tweede nummer. Verder vermaakt de band zich met spacy geluiden, of het geluid van tegen een glas aan tikken. En als je dan toch aan het klooien bent is het ook fijn om de zanger weg te drukken. Ach, dat laatste snap ik eigenlijk wel...

Everything that gorillaz guy touches turns it into mediocre slop. It sounds like an imitation of what pretentious music snobs would like. It has the occasional interesting melodic bit in it.

This album does absolutely nothing for me, being a boring and monotone album that I swear did nothing. It sounds like the time, being this pretentious sound that only the most enlightened music fans would enjoy. For those fans, seriously, get a life.

I don’t know what to do with this album. There are some interesting ideas here and there, but the vocals seem to turn every song into a sort of depressing malaise. I thought it was a good effort, just didn’t click with me.

... This does not equal the sum of its parts

I felt like I wanted to like this, but it was a bit blah for me. Not offensive, and a couple songs kinda stuck out to me. But overall it was dull for me today. 2

Too twee by three quarters. They finally decided to rock out a bit on the last track but I'd completely lost interest by then. (LOL, of course the album I found twee and annoying is 100% written by known musical pestilence Damon Albarn.)

A good example that a so-called supergroup not automatically creates super music. 2,5

Just another Brit Pop (mistake, apparently this is Art Pop) album with Damon Albarn. I'm sure he is an awesome musical, singer songwriter, but 6 entries (in various incarnations) is just too much, unless you are David Bowie. Give it a rest, just sounds like a bunch of Blur B-Sides.

FFS Why? Thera are 6 other Damon Albarn related albums on the list - 3 Blur albums and 3 Gorillaz. And this? Nothing wrong with it - at all. It's a solid listen if a bit restrained. But essential? 2.5 stars.

meh. forgettable

album #43 unfortunately this 'supergroup' got so lost up their own arses they forgot what makes an album interesting. also, as someone from the UK i am sick to bastard death of hearing about london. ꩜ average track rating: 2.6/5 ꩜ favourite track(s): the good, the bad, and the queen ꩜ least favourite track(s): the bunting song, history song ꩜ album rating: ★★☆☆☆ ꩜ number of albums left to review: 1,046 ꩜ number of albums from the list that i agree with being on the list: 25 ꩜ albums from the list that I would consider on my list: 9 ꩜ albums from the list I won't include on my list: 34

After the first track, I was really excited to listen to the rest. However, as the album went on, track after track, with no obvious highlights, electronic mood settings that don’t go anywhere, vocals without variation, and dull songs, I just waited for the album to end. Two last tracks are probably ok.

Just so-so for me.

Just so boring ugh 2 stars

Never heard of these guys. Meh. It’s kinda whiny and doesn’t sound like anything special to me. Totally forgettable music. (2)

Review - this album isn't very good. I'm not a huge fan of any of the musicians involved in the first place, but I often find with "supergroups" there's a bit of a self conscious artsiness that creeps in. I don't know if they're all trying to impress on each other that they're real musicians or what but it gets to sounding a bit clinical in my opinion. Like, you can't often tell it's a Paul Simonon bassline. Although I've not heard any of his stuff since The Clash, maybe he got boring. Some good songs but not particularly interesting, and I'm sure there's a better album that could be on this list. Rating - 5/10 Need to hear? NO

Está raro el disco. Me gustó igual, lo sentí como una historia.

Just shitty. One of the most well liked reviews asked something like...if this wasn't Damon Albarn and Paul Simonon, would anyone care? And I don't care about either one of them, but I get the point. I've somehow mostly avoided Damon Albarn's output outside of Gorillaz which was something you were forced to confront if you were alive in the early 2000s and Song 2 by Blur. Gorillaz were cool mostly because of the visual art surrounding them, Song 2 has been licensed to death in commercials and movies. The rest of Albarn's "projects" I couldn't care less about, this one included. This is just one of those albums where I'm forced to wonder what else could be on this list instead. I was reminded that yesterday was the 10th anniversary of Prince's death...so I'm gonna stop this album a few tracks short and listen to him instead.

Pretty standard, all songs are pretty similar tbh

Damon Albarn is obviously a musical genius. Blur are superb, and Gorillaz are different and brilliant, but this project just does nothing for me at all. The Good, The Bad & The Queen feels surprisingly flat given the talent involved. Nothing here sounds particularly groundbreaking or especially catchy, and it’s hard to see why it earns a place on a list like this. For a supergroup, it lacks impact and identity. It’s not a bad album, but it’s not a good one either, it just sits in the middle and ends up feeling a bit dull overall. It certainly doesn’t come close to something like Traveling Wilburys in terms of quality or presence. There are moments where it improves as it goes on. Tracks like Soldier’s Tale, Three Changes, and Green Fields are decent and show glimpses of what it could have been, but they’re not enough to lift the album as a whole. Favourite tracks: Soldier’s Tale, Three Changes, and Green Fields Least favourite track: History Song, a very dull way to open the album Album artwork: Strong cover, dramatic and fits the tone well

I really like a lot of Blur and Gorillaz output, so was looking forward to listening to this to fill in a gap in my Damon Albarn knowledge. Unfortunately I didn't find much in it to enjoy. In fact about halfway through I was on the verge of ripping my earbuds out to make it stop. The bass playing is very prominent, which gets tedious after a while. All credit to Damon for his prodigious creativity, but this is one record I can do without.

Is this on here because it was a "super" group? Unendingly dull, monotone, I don't get it.

This is just such an unmemorable, bland album. Musically it’s … fine, I guess - at least there was nothing too upsetting that I remember. And there’s the problem, because I don’t remember ANYTHING about the album.

3/10

A less annoying, but equally uninspiring Blur.

Had never heard of this before. Did not enjoy.

Production - perfect musicians - perfect songs - boring. nice background music

Лучшая песня: The Good, The Bad & The Queen Худшая: Слишком много, чтоб выбрать одну Если у супергруппы была задача записать альбом, используя только суперизбитые мелодии и последовательности аккордов, то они суперски с ней справились

4/10 - I found this album to be a bit dull. It’s nothing egregious but it doesn’t spark anything in me.

Boring

Trying for an artsy kind of rock and making something this beige is kind of an accomplishment

When I was in high school, there was a new supergroup, Josh Homme? Dave Grohl? John Paul Jones? How could it fail. Them Crooked Vultures had one song that was fine and the whole rest of the album kinda sucked. I like to think of my British counterpart who got excited for this, heard it and went. Well whatever.

Meh

A prime example of the saying, too many chefs ruin the broth.

Not unpleasant, but if I ever hear it again, I'm not sure I'll recognize it.

Started off good and then you lost me. I don't know where I am and I need an adult.

Must have completely missed this project in 2007. Some very cool personnel on this album, but I'm finding that most of Damon Albarn's songwriting outside of Blur is boring as fuck.

Wasn’t my jam. Never heard of this band before, but the songs and instruments in it seemed uncoordinated.

Too generic. 2

truly middling and dull. are there any genuinely good supergroups? most of the time you get jammy stuff that's only notable for the names involved. there's a clear reason why i barely hear Gorillaz fans talk about this band despite Damon Albarn being frontman. deserves to be one of the 1001? you don't need this one. come on. this over Demon Days and Plastic Beach? you're fucking silly. silly. gonna put on some Traveling Wilburys next? give me a break

Disappointing.

Passed me by at the time. Liked the dubby basslines and there were some nice moments but overall forgettable.

Normal

Well I really like the gorillaz but London isn’t as compelling to me for some reason. Idk