The Gorrilaz first pounced on the world with the single “Clint Eastwood” in 2001.
Some critics have labelled them unoriginal, but one thing is for certain, their
dynamic is original, for the Gorrilaz are a cartoon band. Any picture you will see of
the band, weather it be a press photo, a poster, or a website pic, they all appear as
very well drawn cartoon characters. But, on to the music. “Demon Days” is The
Gorrilaz’ second album. It’s a mash-up of dub, hip-hop pop, and chill. After a listen or
two, it seemed to me that the sound of the album was a bit too alien or not exactly
commercial enough to appeal to the top 40 public.
I was wrong; this week “Demon Days” is number fourteen on the billboard charts.
Maybe this is a sign that the general public is becoming more accepting of talent
other than the usual Britney Spears, Green Day, or Nelly cover artists. Or maybe
Demon Days is doing so well because of the success of the band’s first album. The first
single from Demon Days, “Feel good Inc,” is probably the most commercial sounding
song on the album, explaining its success as a single.
With a fat beat in the background during the first verse, which flows into the chorus
that is accompanied by a friendly guitar riff, back to the fat beat, into very smartly
placed rap and beat progression, which just eases on, this song is a winner. Every
now and then a song comes along that still has that pop element but with a kick and
slap that just gets your heels, and perhaps your hips, a bit curious. On to the second
single that has just been released, “Dare.” I doubt that this song will have the acclaim
of “Feel Good Inc,” but is has potential. It flops into play as an ’80s feel good boogie
anthem with an underground hip-hop beat that will have you singing the chorus by
the third time you’ve heard it. It’s very interesting, just like the rest of the album is.
“Fire coming out of a monkey’s head” is the track that is designed to snatch the
listener’s attention. The track, curiously enough, is narrated by Dennis Hopper. It’s an
innocently sad story that merits a thought or two.
The album flows over you as it varies atmospherically from tack to track. It’s a good
listen, a break from the usual tunes that spread over the charts like an evil locust
invasion. Demon Days leaves you with its title track, which is soothing at first but the
song grows with meaning and children’s voices that float above you. Demon Days is
proof that some good original music can still be heard and can still do well in the
charts.
