Welp, I listened to the new Gorillaz this morning for the first time - I originally planned on ordering the deluxe edition from Amazon but they've been taking their sweet time getting it to me, so I cancelled my order and just went out and bought the regular version.

Gotta say, I like it. It doesn't stand out for me as much as the first one, but the whole album runs smoothly and I didn't find myself bored or annoyed or wanting to lunge for the skip button. Always a good indication. Not sure how I feel about the reliance on choirs on this one...never a fan of choirs on rock/pop albums...but I'll admit, it doesn't bother me SO much on this album. It works. As much as choirs in pop songs can work.

I love "Feel Good Inc.", and I think the list of guest artists on this one is pretty hot...everyone from De La Soul to Neneh Cherry to Martina Topley-Bird. Nice. The Dennis Hopper track? Dunno how I feel about that one. But it fits. That's what I like most about this album - as a whole, it's a really, really engaging album. I think it's gonna take a few spins for me to really embrace.

Other thoughts?

Anxiety said:

Feel Good is my favorite single of the year so far. It's funny, I paid no attention to it on the Ipod ad, didn't even know it was them, but suddenly I can't stop playing it.

Anyone else hear the melody to the verses of U2's Staring At The Sun when they hear the Gorillaz single...?

Slash said:

Me.

Novabreaker said:

It does sound oddly familiar, is that it?

Martina Topley Bird is on this album?

what part does she have? backingvox??

or does she take lead on a track?

IstenSzek said:

the song's called "all alone" and she's credited with "additional vocals". i'll need to hear it again to see if i can pick her out...she didn't jump out at me in the first listen, but i wasn't really listening for her.

MendesCity said:

it's the dance sensation of the summer!

my current financial crunch has forced me to delay my purchase of this album until next Tuesday...

endorphin74 said:

at least i can tell ya that you won't be disappointed.

endorphin74 said:

don't worry. my financial crunch has forced me to delay life until next january

Anxiety said:

I can't wait!

IstenSzek said:

I hear ya there!

Feel Good Inc. is awesome. Ive been hearing it like crazy on satellite radio for a couple months now. Starting to creep into mainstream, should blow up this summer.


Every once in awhile there is a little gem out there that keeps my hope in todays music alive.

Feel Good Inc is the hottest track on the CD. I hate it when that happens. When nothing else lives up to that.

Same happened with the Maktub "Say What You Mean".

I played them both for a day each and put them aside. Will probably appreciate them more next time I listen. My expectations won't be as high.
It's probably unfair because I actually like the CD/s but just happen to really like the first tracks so much more.

Anyway, I'm a fan of Gorillaz. And they sealed that deal with 19-2000 the line "OK bring it down yeah we gonna break out". (the performance). That makes me a fan for life.

anon said:

I'm starting to LOVE this album. Nice n'weird, once you accept that its all downtempo stuff. Everything I wanted from Guero, but didn't quite get.

DAMMIT!

i'm itching to just bust out my charge card and pick this CD up!

The Dennis Hopper track is a little like an update of P's "Ladder". Funny shit.

Sorry to make it worse Endorphin, but this album's amazing. Better than the first one, in my opinion. It's a bit more epic sounding, with a bit more heart to it or something. Just go download it, and while you're doing it swear by the cub scouts to buy the CD next week. And then the DVD. And the tour tix.

I think I got Gorillaz fever.

MendesCity said:

You're probably right but that's what Massive Attack is for. I know that I'll grow to really like this CD. I love the Gorillaz sensibility. It's either that they're way ahead of me and I still need time to catch up or I need some of their videos to make me know how good the songs are. I'm easily influenced that way.

I'll wait a bit and then give it a try again.

As for Maktub. I just recently discovered them and am in love with their second CD so it's really not fair to them. I'll wait a month or so on that one.

endorphin74 said:

Do it. It'll make me feel better about my binge last weekend.

ok...i'm on my way to itunes to pick up the cd.

MendesCity said:

It's more like a thematic variation of the same melody. I wouldn't call it a rip-off, but the motifs are definitely identical.

Anxiety said:

I beat you to it, Anx:

http://www.prince.org/msg/8/146803



.... that's because I got it the Friday before it came out in the UK. The Dennis Hopper track is wonderful - in fact those last four songs, from "Dare" through to "Demon Days" are superb. Sound like the Beach Boys on sensible drugs.
[Edited 5/28/05 10:42am]

Slash said:

That popped into my head the first time I heard it.

"Feel Good Inc" is wonderful. I've thought about picking this up.

Slash said:

That's the first thing I thought of when I heard that section.

endorphin74 said:

It's a "grower"! I knew I liked upon first listen. But it took a couple listens before I realized why.
My two unexpected pleasures, CD wise, right now are Gorillaz "Demon Days" (Great title), and Robert Plant "Mighty Rearranger"