When it comes to musical collaborations, Damon Albarn has something of the Midas Touch. It’s no surprise then that when the ex-Blur frontman decided to embark on a third Gorillaz album there were no shortage of musicians to offer their services. In contrast to the usual bunch of obscure producers and B listers who get roped into such projects, Plastic Beach features an impressive and diverse array of musical luminaries such as Mark E Smith, Bobby Womack, Snoop Dogg, and Lou Reed. There is also a welcome re-union between Mick Jones and Paul Simonon of the Clash, their first since 1981’s Combat Rock album.
The Gorillaz started life in 1998 after the break up of Blur as a unique concept involving a band of virtual cartoon characters, each with their own public persona. It’s a testament to Albarn’s talent and vision that Gorillaz developed beyond this somewhat shallow concept to become one of the more consistently interesting bands of the past decade.
Regardless of the musicians involved, any album will ultimately be judged on the quality of its songs. The sixteen tracks on Plastic Beach, released in the USA this week, will not offer immediate satisfaction to all listeners, but as we’ve come to expect from Albarn they will challenge and stir your musical senses, demanding that you explore them further. Likewise, the artists involved are also encouraged to leave their usual comfort zones and offer something a little unexpected for the listener.
The title itself was inspired by Albarn’s observations of how plastic has integrated with the natural world and become part of it. It’s a concept that plays throughout the whole album, with the sound of seagulls accompanying the classical introduction before Snoop Dog welcomes us to the world of the plastic beach ‘and the pollution from the ocean’.
The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music then kicks in with a Bolero inspired intro to White Flag, featuring more rapping from Bashy and Kano.
Damon Albarn himself then injects a pop feel to the album with the infectious Rhinestone Eyes.
Next up is Stylo, the first single from the album featuring Bobby Womack and Mos Def. It’s more recognizable as a Gorrilaz track of old, featuring a floor-filling beat, complimented by a teasingly short vocal offering from Womack.
Superfast Jellyfish will also ring familiar to Gorrilaz’ fans as it features yet another serving of Gorillaz veterans De La Soul, this time accompanied by the unmistakable voice of Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys.
Empire Ants starts as a melancholy ballad sung by Albarn before Sweden’s Little Dragon kick it up a notch with their electro pop backing and Yukimi Nagano’s infectious vocal.
The Fall’s Mark E Smith asks “Where’s north from ‘ere”, as an introduction to the glam rocking stomper Glitter Freeze before he nips out, presumably for a cigarette, returning just in time to hear the track end.
A more introspective Lou Reed sings on Some Kind Of Nature.
‘Some kind of metal made up from glue, Some kind of plastic I could wrap around you,’ could be straight from a Velvet’s album.
On Melancholy Hill is an impossibly catchy ditty that, like all the tracks on Plastic Beach, seems to be over too soon.
Mos Def re-emerges for the longest track on the album, Sweepstakes, which is followed by the title track featuring that way overdue re-union of Mick Jones and Paul Simonon.
Yukimi Nagano once again provides vocals for the dreamy To Binge complete with Bontempi-style rhythms provided by Little Dragon as the album winds down with another Bobby Womack offering, this time in a more fulfilling role as he croons through the atmospheric ‘Cloud of Unknowing’.
The seagulls return for the album finale Pirate Jet sung by Albarn.
“A plastic cup of drink, Drink with a couple of people,
The plastic creating people, still connected to the moment it began’.
And there ends a somewhat dark but at the same time uplifting body of work.
Rather than experiencing a satisfying, epic journey through the variety of sounds and styles of its many contributors, Plastic Beach takes you on a super fast shuttle ride that dumps you at your destination all too quickly, leaving you desperate for another go round.
Book your ticket today. You won’t be disappointed.
Mick Baldwin
In case you have not heard the free stream of Plastic Beach yet go and listen to it here!
