We’ll be covering this one more in depth in 2011 as our focus on Damon Albarn carries on in chronological order. But for now, what’s to justify the stature of ‘Plastic Beach’ as an essential album of 2010? Well first off it’s an exceptionally well executed concept album with a loose ecological theme. Then there’s the fact that Albarn has quietly moved the Gorillaz concept on here by effectively sidelining the cartoon band premise and shifting the focus onto what an incredible ensemble piece his set up has become. And with some justification; when you’ve got artists of the stature of Bobby Womack, Lou Reed and De La Soul not just willing to make relatively small cameo appearances on the album but to regularly recreate their roles in a live situation throughout 2010 then that should tell you what high esteem Albarn has gradually earned for himself. Not just that but if you’ve got The Clash’s Mick Jones and Paul Simonon willing to flank you on bass and guitar, mincing around in seafaring attire, wouldn’t most band leaders jump at the chance of grabbing a bit of their own spotlight? Most significantly of all though is that ‘Plastic Beach’ has seen Damon return to some of his most beautifully reflective songwriting (‘On Melancholy Hill’) as well as push the Hip-Hop boundaries a little with the addition of World Music and Classical styles to the soundstorm. ‘Plastic Beach’ took a knock or two in some areas because it lacked, unlike the two previous major Gorillaz releases, one or two massive, infectious hit singles. If you’re a fan of the album as a journey approach though this is a major boon because there’s nothing that takes you out of the general track-to-track progression. This is a great piece of work basically, have a listen below:Monday 27 December 2010
ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2010 No. 6 – GORILLAZ – Plastic Beach
We’ll be covering this one more in depth in 2011 as our focus on Damon Albarn carries on in chronological order. But for now, what’s to justify the stature of ‘Plastic Beach’ as an essential album of 2010? Well first off it’s an exceptionally well executed concept album with a loose ecological theme. Then there’s the fact that Albarn has quietly moved the Gorillaz concept on here by effectively sidelining the cartoon band premise and shifting the focus onto what an incredible ensemble piece his set up has become. And with some justification; when you’ve got artists of the stature of Bobby Womack, Lou Reed and De La Soul not just willing to make relatively small cameo appearances on the album but to regularly recreate their roles in a live situation throughout 2010 then that should tell you what high esteem Albarn has gradually earned for himself. Not just that but if you’ve got The Clash’s Mick Jones and Paul Simonon willing to flank you on bass and guitar, mincing around in seafaring attire, wouldn’t most band leaders jump at the chance of grabbing a bit of their own spotlight? Most significantly of all though is that ‘Plastic Beach’ has seen Damon return to some of his most beautifully reflective songwriting (‘On Melancholy Hill’) as well as push the Hip-Hop boundaries a little with the addition of World Music and Classical styles to the soundstorm. ‘Plastic Beach’ took a knock or two in some areas because it lacked, unlike the two previous major Gorillaz releases, one or two massive, infectious hit singles. If you’re a fan of the album as a journey approach though this is a major boon because there’s nothing that takes you out of the general track-to-track progression. This is a great piece of work basically, have a listen below:
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