The animated platinum-selling rock/rap super genius group is back for an encore performance. The “virtual band,” Gorillaz came out of nowhere in 2001 with a crafty Japanese animation video and catchy tune “Clint Eastwood.”
Besides the animation, the Gorillaz rhyme scheme was just as crafty as their appearance, mixing rock with rap, giving both genres a bit of competition. 2-D (aka Damon Albarn), Russel (Kid Koala), Murdock (Jamie Hewlett), and Noodel (Miho Hatori) return not to surprise people but to draw more listeners into their world on the album “Demon Days.”
Despite its somber tone, “Kids with Guns,” the bass line on the record is unbelievable.
The group’s highlight of the album is the hit single “Feel Good Inc,” the perfect blend of rock and rap with the assistance of rap icons De La Soul, who release their inner demons on the record with the Gorillaz giving a balance of mello and disturbing sound.
The Gorillaz import well-known and not familiar rap faces, including Booty Brown from the Pharcyde (“Dirty Harry”), MF Doom (“November Has Come”), and Dennis Hopper, who contributes “Fire Coming Out of the Monkey’s Head.”
Deep rhymes are placed throughout the entire album with the unique collaboration as if the group was working on spells to receive full attention of the music listener.
The production on the album is much deeper into hip hop then the debut album, with the help of musical direction from Danger Mouse.
He’s the man who meshed Jay-Z with the Beatles on the mix tape circuit last year with the “Grey Album.”
Dan Nakumura did not return for the sequel of the Gorillaz, which can be argued as an improvement for the sound of the group.
The Gorillaz give listeners another impressive album and will interest more new fans with the darker theme that will satisfy the taste of old listeners hungry for new tunes from the group. Gorillaz uses pop melodies, blends them with deep thought verses, and throws in a bit of hip hop. The music may seem dark and evil, but the message in between the lines are heart felt and enjoyable. “Demon Days” pushes the quality of both rock and rap music to the next level.