Gorillaz just released a new album The Now Now. Below is the music video for "Humility", the album's lead single. The Now Now is fun. However, it lacks the creative daring of earlier Gorillaz classics like Demon Days and Plastic Beach. I recommend giving it a listen, but I also want to talk about the band Gorillaz itself.
Gorillaz is the brainchild of Damon Albarn, the lead singer from popular Britpop band Blur, and Jamie Hewlett, a cartoonist. The two set out to create a totally unique musical in response to the formulaic pop music they felt dominated the charts. In order to retain complete creative control, they decided to make the band in a virtual world. The concept was not new. Bands like Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Archies were also fake bands that released real music. While these bands have put out successful records, Albarn and Hewitt set out to push the limits of what a "virtual band" could be.
Albarn and Hewlett created a complex backstory for the band, which consists of the fictional Russell, 2-D, Murdoc, and Noodle. This story is woven into the records and media the band produces and will continue into the foreseeable future. It features madcap twists and turns, involving exorcisms, Japanese supersoldiers, and islands made of garbage.
In the video above we can see the characteristic elements of a Gorillaz production. Most noticeable are the four animated members of Gorillaz. Apparently, they got Jack Black interested, because he provides a cameo. By using the medium of animation, the characters are able to be totally unreal, yet interact with the real world at the same time.
Gorillaz is a fantastic blend of everything. Their music bends genre and their visual aspect bends reality. If your ever in the mood for a totally unique musical experience, I suggest going through the Gorillaz catalog.
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