The word “eclectic” is thrown around a lot in the music world, but I’m pretty sure if you looked it up in the dictionary, the album Plastic Beach by Gorillaz would be the definition.
This album has everything. Are you looking for electronic rock? Done. Old school hip-hop? Got it. World beats overlayed by British rap? Oh yeah, it’s here.
What about cameos? Oh, there’s a few. Ever heard of Bobby Womack? Lou Reed? How about Little Dragon? Mos Def? There’s even a track with godfather of laid-back flow himself, Snoop Dogg (pre-Lion era).
So, basically, when I say it has everything…I’m being literal.
Headed by Damon Albarn of Blur fame (think “Song 2”), this record is truly a musical experience in every sense of the word. Before I even get to the music, I really want to point out the art. The cover is great, with a nice retro-vibed typeface, but where the artwork shines is the slipcovers inside that hold the vinyl themselves.
Now, to the music. After a brief musical intro featuring a full orchestra, Snoop himself kicks off the record, with the aptly titled “Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach”. Following his introduction, we are again treated to an orchestra, this time a Middle-Eastern one.
You know? It’s basically impossible for me to try and do any sort of highlight analysis on this album that won’t end up being a track-by-track. I love literally every track the more I listen to the record. Rarely has an album with so many tracks stayed so coherent and yet so diverse. Every turn is an anomaly. Some tracks flow perfectly to the next, some are abrupt. But no matter what happens, it’s gorgeous.
It’s interesting to me, because as much as I am in love with this album, I’m not totally sold on much of Gorillaz other music. Sure, there’s “Feel Good, Inc” and “Clint Eastwood”, but outside those tracks, their material never really sat well with me.
But there’s something about Plastic Beach that just grabs people. I was recommended this album by more than one person, all of which had varied tastes in music. Some were more in the rock school of thought and others were hip hop disciples. A truly good album, in my opinion, is one that can reach across genre lines and intrigue people of all backgrounds. This album does just that. By bringing inspiration from several different places and colluding with a myriad different artists, Gorillaz made something nothing short of remarkable.
Bottom line is this: if you haven’t heard this album, you need to. Put it on and listen to it all the way through. I can guarantee that if you don’t love it from the start, you’ll find some tracks along the way that grab your attention and will be stuck in your head for days to come.
How good is Gorillaz’ Plastic Beach?
In a word: bananaz.
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Released: March 3rd, 2010
Suggested by: Grant Turley
For project details and to suggest your own favorite album, visit the intro page.