It wasn’t about getting the cartoon characters to the stage – it was about finding a way to present the galaxy of guest stars that had joined the animated quartet on the original Demon Days album. From Shaun Ryder to Ike Turner, it was a challenge bringing everyone together and creating an exciting show. ‘People came from all over to do the show – and to see it.’ The idea to bring them to the stage – literally, adding an extra dimension to the group – seemed somewhere between absurd and impossible. But, of course, Gorillaz was a virtual band, the members of which – 2D, Noodle, Murdoc and Russel Hobbs – existed only as drawings and animations created by Damon’s collaborator, Jamie Hewlett. Put like that, in two plain sentences, it sounds simple. Then, when Gorillaz exploded, we had the idea to try and stage Demon Days.’ ‘I’d been to Mali with Damon ,’ relates Alex Poots, MIF’s Artistic Director since its inception, ‘and started to get to know him. Gorillaz performing Demon Days Live was the first ever MIF event However, the first MIF production, a trailblazer event designed to show what the Festival was aiming to become, was staged a little earlier, in 2005 – exactly ten years ago. Believe me, I know.The first Manchester International Festival was held in 2007, taking over the city with an adventurous programme of original, new work. Do not ignore it’s screaming – screaming has never sounded so good. It is a confident, bold, dramatic statement that screams for your attention. Demon Days is the work of an artist comfortable in their own style, with no limitations and no insecurities. ‘Every Planet We Reach Is Dead’ starts promisingly but extends its small idea for far too long (it is the longest track on the album).ĭespite some deviations, the album does not suffer much, and they simply let the album’s best tracks stand taller and higher. ‘Fire Coming Out of The Monkey’s Mouth’ is a bizarre, spoken word experiment, and while it doesn’t feel completely out of place, it could have easily been left on the cutting room floor. ‘Intro’ essentially does exactly what it says it will – nothing more, nothing less. ‘All Alone’ is an upbeat electronic track in a similar style to ‘Last Living Souls’ utilising the same integration of classical elements, although to a lesser extent. The other tracks, it is a worthy addition to both artists discographies. ‘November Has Come’ features underground rapper MF DOOM, and while it features none of the relentless experimentation of ‘Last Living Souls’ is a bizarre electronic venture which eventually includes piano and violins, incorporating them into the main section of the song. However, simply looking at Demon Days’ singles is vastly underestimating its potential.
A more dance-oriented outing for the album, it sustains an extremely danceable sound while adding extra flourishes throughout.
‘DARE’ – another single – also vies for the position of best track, and rightly so. Don’t hesitate in finding out why – it’s intricate, intelligent, and incredible. Behind the stellar Clint Eastwood, it is one of Gorillaz most popular songs. This aggression only amplifies in the stunning ‘Feel Good Inc.’, which blends a calm, acoustic melody, and a dirty hip-hop beat with one of the most memorable bass lines ever recorded. ‘Dirty Harry’ is catchy and creative, with a hint of aggression (apt considering its subject matter was the destruction caused by war and its effect on youth). The standout tracks on this album are undoubtedly the singles – specifically the spectacular one-two knockout punch of ‘Dirty Harry’ and ‘Feel Good Inc.’, which fuse a variety of different genres (such as electronic, rock, rap, classical) while still sounding distinctly like Gorillaz. Demon Days taught the world that Damon Albarn’s (of Blur fame) strange deviation was worth paying attention to. Before this album, Gorillaz were a joke – with only one truly successful hit (Clint Eastwood) and the apathy of the music press. Such an amazing album could not have come from such an unlikely place.
0 kommentar(er)
