Gorillaz
Demon Days

THE REVIEW

Damon Albarn… But Damon Albarn is a genius? Damon Albarn is a genius!
Where at a certain point in our history (not just musical), appearing has become more important than being, the brilliant minds of Damon Albarn (singer of the Blur) and Jamie Hewlett (designer of the cult comic “Tank Girl”) have birthed the Gorillaz, a virtual band that fascinated the world with their first album that sold more than the last 3 albums of Blur combined.
Such a project couldn't remain chained to a single episode, therefore, four years after Gorillaz, here's Demon Days. To talk about this record (which featured many illustrious guests such as Neneh Cherry, De La Soul, Tennis Hopper, and Ike Turner), one must engage in a broader discussion to understand more or less how things are going.

First of all, the most anticipated album of the year (at least according to the advertisement), that of Coldplay, despite its immediate success (first place in the charts in more than 20 countries! And over 700,000 copies sold in America in just the first week!) has disappointed much of the critics who, by the third album, would have expected a great masterpiece (I think of Ok Computer by Radiohead or Parklife by Blur) or at least something that would have finally defined the sound of the band. Indeed, as for the sound of that album, it has changed, it’s more U2 than Coldplay, but the masterpiece is missing.
As for the Oasis, their latest record turned out to be better than the previous one but still not satisfactory. With all this, I mean to say that these two bands have made a name for themselves, even if not a big one, in the history of music after debuting with two extraordinary albums (Definitely Maybe and Parachutes). The Gorillaz, on the other hand, debuted with a good album, sold six million copies but didn’t become a mass phenomenon. Consequently, I wouldn't be surprised if the record were to sell less than the previous one. In conclusion, sales do not make the name, but the NAME MAKES SALES, the name of those who were a phenomenon in the past. I think, for example, how many records Pink Floyd would sell today if they reunited again but with a mediocre album.

What matters is quality. And there is plenty of quality in Demon Days, more quality and substance compared to the previous work. Thanks to the change in production: Dan Nakamura is replaced by DJ Danger Mouse (the author of the illegal album The Grey Album which combined the sound of the Beatles with Jay-Z's rap) whose production is much more effective.
The Gorillaz have changed, indeed. More nocturnal, less fresh and less immediate, but more compact and incisive. It is felt right from the “Intro” (actually the most insignificant track) followed by the beautiful “Last Living Souls,” the highest point where the musical style they call Dark-pop is most realized. Followed by “Kids With Guns” where Neneh Cherry is (sorry to say) wasted. “O Green World” and “El Manana” are the most Blur-like episodes of the album, while the masterpiece single “Feel Good Inc.” contends for the catchy hit with “Dirty Harry” (childish track with children’s choir à la Pink Floyd) and the extraordinary 80s dance of “DARE” (which will be the next single). To close the album, two gems: “Don’t get lost in Heaven” where “the Beach Boys meet the musical” (Ciro Frattini) and “Demon Days” where ample space is given to the London Community Gospel Choir.

This second work of the virtual band is one of the best albums of the year, more convincing than the first, more convincing than the (albeit good) latest releases by Blur, more convincing than the most anticipated albums of the year, more convincing than those who pretend they can’t be convinced.