Last year two L.A. Producers gathered an all-star cast of guests for an album about peace, love and understanding : N.A.S.A.’s the meaning of Apollo was an idealistic dream that proved most unlikely to execute. Gorillaz’ 3rd album Plastic Beach is reminiscent because its galvanizing and wide-ranging cast list Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def, Mark E. Smith and more has gathered to complain about consumption and pollution issues, and because the selection of guests has forced Damon Albarn into some dizzyingly eclectic styles.
When Snoop’s drawl gives way to bongo rapping and a sparkling synth line is replaced by a luxurious flute tune, you’ve got to check you are not set to shuffle. The star of this show is Bobby Womack, whose hurt warble embellishes Cloud Of Unknowing and brilliant Gorillaz first single Stylo ; beyond that, there’s lots of filler. That is the problem with all-star albums : it’s hard to chop the smaller tracks when you made them with your heroes. Gorillaz’ forthcoming 3rd album Plastic Beach is a kaleidoscopic and sometimes intrepid affair. Damon Albarn… Sorry 2D, and corp ( sigh ) invited DiS to go to their ’secret floating island deep in the South Pacific’ last month for an exclusive first listen of the album, as well as have a look round the enormous model demonstration of the beach – ‘made up of the detritus, waste and washed up remains of humanity’ – itself. Here’s a track by track guide of what should be expected from the album when it is released on March 8th. The 1st Gorillaz official single Stylo features the laidback rhymes of Mos Def and the demented crying of Bobby Womack. Like almost all of the album so far these voices and characters ( Mos Def runs the colonnade on Plastic Beach ) tell their stories amid layers of electronic haze and a pulsating groove. It may be asserted this song features one voice too many and lacks a classic Gorillaz identity, but who you would ask to leave is a hard decision indeed.
