Then, the icing on the cake: Kid Koala, turntablist extraordinaire. If you are at all into underground (i.e., true) hip-hop, you've probably already come across Deltron 3030's release featuring Kid Koala and Del the Funky Homosapien, along with about 200 other guest appearances. If not, check it out at once. And for a TRUE showcase of Kid Koala's talents, check out his solo cd on the Ninja Tune record label, "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome." It is beyond awesome, and simply amazing.

This, giving its background, could not miss. It doesn't. From start to finish, it is incredible. I remember first seeing the video for "Clint Eastwood" on MTV2. If the animation and humor of these guys don't get you, the music certainly will. Tripped out music with cool, almost indifferent, vocals. The beats, and samples are, as always with the Kid, without fault.

Definitely give this one a go. And, as a special bonus, the cd comes as an enhanced cd, with some very cool animation, and even better wallpaper and screensaver additions. With this cd, you will be given the key to Murdoc's Winnebago. Next stop, figure out how to use it to get in.

Enjoy.

33 of 37 found the following review helpful:


The future of modern music and what it does to your stomach.  Apr 13, 2005 By The Caster Kid
I'm leaning against the wall of the bathroom wondering if I'm gonna throw up.

It's too much.

In order to write this little review I tried to grapple with this album, I tried to swallow it whole. I tried to digest it and I hurt myself. This album is too rich and too multidepthed to allow a simple synopsis. It's too complex to digest quickly. There are too many styles and too many layers. This is a dizzying collection of endless experimentation and surgically brilliant production. And it won't stop.

It's sheik and smooth like the models on the covers of magazines you don't buy but can't help staring at. It's funny too. It's funny in a covert coy way. Like a kid's tv show that secretly pokes fun at adult themes like sex and politics. It's funny enough to make you laugh. But just as your chest swells for a little cute giggle you catch the charred death scent of a cigarette and you can almost taste the burn of cheap whisky in the back of your throat: That's the dark brooding shadows this album casts as you spin it so idly.

And that's why my stomach and mind threaten to rebel (and expel.) How can you devour something with such a range of tastes? You can't eat something salty and sour, spicy and sweat, hot and cold... Maybe a few of these combinations are delectable but the whole array? It'd kill you... you'd choke...

Thank god the album doesn't force its schizophrenic characteristics on you all at once.

Instead the Gorillaz deliver these tastes in subtle sly hints and nudges. And most people would be utterly ignorant of the Band's brilliance if they did not provide the LP with multiple listens. It requires slow and careful consumption. Take your time. Don't try to stuff your face. You'll hardly know what your eating and surely be left uneasy.

Let your mind nibble on the acoustic guitars driving delicately before you tackle the pounding funky bass lines. And only then try to sample the electronic pops and pings. And if you can stomach all that and still keep your composure while adding the synth enhanced atmosphere of the keyboards ONLY THEN try to attack the vocal diversity that this album radiates with.

And if you can manage all that, go ahead and try the next song- cause its nothing like the last.

Underground hip hop savvy moments bob and nod beside blues and rock elements. All of which seem content to share elbow space with electronic and dub theatrics. Pop cues abound in clever debuts threatening cheapen the albums depth- but they are a ploy. They are lures for the unwary, daring you to grow complacent and assume your hearing something you've heard before. BUT these touches are a tease- almost like the masterminds of this album want to remind you that they COULD make hopelessly hip and catchy songs like "Clint Eastwood" all day, but then you'd miss the noir hauntings that inhabit the album's seedy underbelly in tracks like "New Genious (Brother)".

The Gorillaz's S/T first release screams and croons and beeps and blurts. It hums and bumps, drives and thunders. It is inspired and eons ahead of its time. This album either came from the future or is a masterpiece that will help shape the future.

Me? I'm out of the bathroom and adhered to my headphones. Don't be a fool. Take your time, drink plenty of water and enjoy one of the best albums of 2001, one bite at a time.

22 of 24 found the following review helpful:


Great concept album with catchy music.  Jun 20, 2001
Conglomerate musical groups made from established talents making concept albums usually sound plodding and indulgent, yet this album is the complete opposite. The Gorillaz are an intense combination of musical styles and animation/illustration art that creates a multimedia buffet for the senses. Quirky, enjoyable music meanderings encompass rap. provided by Del tha Funky Homo Sapien, indie exotica from Miho Hattori, and mainstream pop kookiness issuing throughout from Damon Albarn of Blur. At first listen, the more memorable songs are 'Clint Eastwood', 'Rock The House' , '19-2000' and 'Tomorrow Comes Today' and on further listening, all the peronal oddity of the group becomes obvious through songs like the manic 'Punk' and horror revive of 'M1 A1' which starts with the opening lines of the classic gore film 'Day of the Dead'. This debut album is absolutely brilliant listening, and accomodates long hours of repeated listening; music to relax to, music to work by, music to dance with. Albarn's London roomate Jamie Hewlitt provides a comic book fascade for the group supplying an animation art style that blankets the album and insert, and adeptly adorns their music videos, enhancing the music. The group also has a website which combines music, art, sound, information and oddities making Gorillaz the best multimedia experience going in this new millenium. In a time of rather highly hyped over heated media sensation boy/girl bands, repetitive rap acts and droning inexpressive guitar bands, the Gorillaz are a fresh, light hearted alternative that haven't nearly begun to wear out a very warm welcome.

13 of 14 found the following review helpful:


GORILLAZ=MUST HAVE!!  Aug 14, 2001
This cd is a must have. sure they're just a cartoon band, and don't really exsist, that doesn't stopp there music from bein great.the clean version isn'treally any different form the original except that some words are bleeped out.it's espically good 4 me cuz my parents are a little strictt about what i listen too. but they have no problem with this at all!there songs r fuuny and are very cool!!!! it's my favorite cd of all time!

86 of 110 found the following review helpful:


hip hop punk  Jul 25, 2001 By mikah tequila
thank god i have mtv2 in my room, otherwise i would have never even heard of gorillaz. if u like hip hop or just punk, then this cd is for u. i do not like punk but this cd is very much influenced with a great hip hop vibe. the main reason why is bought this cd was because of del (the funky homosapien) who appears on two of the tracks. but even without del, i realized that there is still a good hip hop sense in here. here's reviews on the songs that i enjoyed the most.

-tomorrow comes today: great beat, nice harmonica sounds. cool lyrics. an all around chill song.

-new genious: i like the lyrics a lot on this song. nice, sad vocals and slow yet cool beat. nice use of violin.

-clint eastwood: perfect blend of alternative and hip hop. simple yet wonderful beat. well thought-out chorus and phat (i mean PHAT) rhymes from del. nice use of various music elements and intruments.

-sound check: starts out slow with only the piano background and moves into a phat beat laced wit nice scratching and mixing. smooth lyrics, creative beat.

-double bass: extremeley strange yet creative jungle groove. all beats and music, no lyrics. still, one of the stand outs.

-rock the house: my second favorite track. sick beat. i mean crazy beat. creative rhymes from del. extremely catchy and dancable chorus and creative use of the flute. so phat.

-19/2000: my favorite song on here. tyte music that sounds like a video game song. simple beat. great lyrics and an original approach to any kind of music. what makes it the most interesting is the unique vocal abilities of miho hotari. adds a real weird sense of being in an anime.

-latin simone: great beat. i mean great beat. very easy to bob ur head to this song. very relaxing and smooth. full of no lyrics other than a spanish ballad that fits smoothly into the jazz/soul/hip-hop vibe of this track. lotta versatility aand variety.

-slow country: reminds me alot of "rock da house" with the rhythmic piano sounds. cool lyrics, great chorus. tyte music elements in this song. dont knoe how to describe it exactly. but its great.

-dracula: great beat and music that really does give a sense of the horror of dracula. haunting sounds and lyrics make dracula seem real.

-left hand suzuki method: great hip hop beat. strong and loud, kinda reminding me of pharaoe monche's "get up." yet they ingeniously and sarcastically add a happy little "mary had a little lamb"-type sound. still, very good. great track. no singing, just a news reporter in the background every once in awhile.

* there is a hidden bonus track. wait till 5:30 has passed on "left hand suzuki method" and u will here the "ed case remix" of "clint eastwood." much faster and funkier. reggae/trip hop vibe. the only part i dont like is that del's rhymes are replaced with new rhymes.

very versatile cd. this is an essential to anyone who appreciates creative sounds. trust me you've never heard n/e thing like this before. hip hop and punk all in one. blended with jazz, classical, latin, and global sounds. at least give it a listen.

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