Guy who has only listened to one Johnny Marr-featuring, star-studded mixtape of whimsical melancholy, listening to his second album: “getting a lot of “We Will Always Love You” vibes from this…”
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This is exactly what I keep thinking, really reminds of the last Avalanches. Both are albums to get lost in.
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Nah
Aww yeah can’t stop listening to this
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Yeah I’m listening to it a lot, it’s great.
Albarn said it’s the emotional successor to Plastic Beach and I get it. And agree. Great stuff.
Agreed that Damascus is a banger, although I would say it sounds like Kish Kash/Crazy Itch Radio era Basement Jaxx. I’m ok with that, but I’m sure many wouldn’t be.
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Coupling the concept of the album with the post-houmous features is very clever and tactfully done. I think it does lose some momentum towards the end but pretty much every song through to Cassablanca I think are really enjoyable.
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But the closing track The Sad God is the absolute best track on the record and joins the melody back up to the opening track & makes the whole experience circular/transcendant/reincarnate-y
I love it, the whole album really works …even if it does sound like Flaming Lips in places
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The closer is great and important for the overall album. Casablanca and the Sweet Prince are less immediately memorable but I think they support the flow of the album as a whole.
Really think this album will be reappraised in a few years and receive more praise, potentially as Gorillaz’ best album.
If anyone’s near Oxford Street (London) this month there’s a takeover in Flannel’s basement. Seems to be playing all the videos for the new album with a kickass sound system and full video walls in an empty room.
Nice way to experience the album/spend lunchtime.
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It’s such a cohesive, moving piece of work isn’t it - from the thematic tributes to Damon’s dad to incorporating outtakes from previous collaborators who have since passed, I don’t think I’ve heard a record where grief is addressed as such a celebration of the life of those lost before.
I really like how they lift the melody from the “Their life goes on” line in Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da and use that as a sitar refrain in the opening track too. It sets the tone and the message of the album beautifully.
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The flaming lips with it Wayne Coyne wiffling on about gummy-bear unicorn teeth is a good thing though, right?
Also want to shout out Black Thoughts trio of brilliant features
I think I now like this as much as Plastic Beach/Demon Days
Casablanca is the only song i dont care for - and at the very least enjoy but mostly really enjoy the rest of the set
The Happy Dictator, Orange County, The Empty Dream Machine, The Manifesto, The Plastic Guru, Delirium, Damascus & The Sad God are all up there with my fav songs they’ve done
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I mean, it’s wistful Damon/Flimsy Steve rather than whiny Wayne so yeah, loads better
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I was really confused by the initial feedback I saw on Flimsy Steves vocals - I think his schitck fits this album perfectly
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Yeah, the 2D vocal effect definitely works …and indeed helps to glue this album together
it is a little bit of a shame though that we don’t get to hear Damon’s full rounded tones, he’s got a lot better as a singer in the studio as he’s got older. Then again, that would likely make it too much of a Damon album. Also, from a production point of view, the 2D vocal effect gives a nice final polish and cover to one or two other things they’re doing with his voice that might otherwise be a bit jarring - there’s lots of subtle pitch correction in there for one and it also helps get rid of some of the whistly sibilants he sometimes has when he speaks or phrases things a certain way
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Much as I like his work, that kind of mumble he does can annoy me, when like you say, he can sing beautifully. I think Out of Time is still his vocal peak.
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Can we please reappraise Humanz now? The second half of The Moon Cave is SO Humanz.
I’ve been under the impression that this is the follow up to Plastic Beach and therefore all the albums in between no longer exist (which is handy as I never got round to listening to any of them)
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Humanz and The Now Now are bangers imo, you should try em
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I’ll think about it
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