CD Review: Gorillaz - The Singles Collection 2001-2011

• Article by Jessica Sommers
• 
• |
• November 29, 2011
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• TAGS:
• Music,
• Featured Articles,
• Entertainment

Grade: A+

It seems hard to believe that Gorillaz, the part hip-hop, part alternative, part cartoonish UK group, have been around for ten years. Don’t we all recall the first time we heard “Clint Eastwood” on the radio when we were 10 and distinctly remembering it being awesome? Though pretty much anyone can agree on a handful of great Gorillaz songs, it’s the songs that we didn’t know these geniuses created that remind you of how much cooler they are then you. But these animated hominidae aren’t here to be pretentious and make you feel out of the loop, so they released a compilation of their best from the past decade so you can get caught up.  From first track to last, it’s like these guys picked every awesome song you never knew about and some that you did, threw it on an album and started laughing.

For starters, songs like “Tomorrow Comes Today” and “19-2000” are perfect examples of songs we’ve all heard before – probably one too many times in a commercial or used as samples in hip-hop songs – but may have never been able to put our finger on who made them. The album starts off stellar with the happy, boppy beats that make Gorillaz a group that anyone can enjoy. Er, I mean, totally fucking rock out too. You know your grandma wouldn’t be able to resist bobbing her head to them.

The album is sprinkled with classics like “DARE” and “Feel Good Inc” that gives the crowd at your party a loud, universal burst of “Oooohh!” as everyone relishes in the familiarity. The album, nearly in chronological order, starts the b-side with awesome tunes from Plastic Beach, 2010’s undeniable hit album. “Stylo” featuring Mos Def has got to be one of the best, but the 80s-esque electronic sound of “On Melancholy Hill” doesn’t disappoint, either. The album finishes off with a few remixes, including a particularly good “19-2000 Soulchild Remix” that rounds out the album perfectly – who wouldn’t want to jam to that song once more?

This compilation has got to be one of the best mixed albums I’ve laid my little ears on, as it’s chill enough to casually listen to, but with the right amount of enthusiasm (or, drugs and alcohol) this can easily turn into the anthem for an epic night. The Singles Collection would even be the perfect album to give your cousin who loves to party but only listens to what’s on the radio and the occasional Girl Talk (when she’s trying to feel real weird), so help out a sista’s life by giving this to her for the holidays. See, you made it through this entire review and now you can check another gift off the ole’ Christmas List. Thanks again, Gorillaz!

Sounds Like: Crusin’ with the windows up, or the feeling upon on entering a party.

Download: 19-2000, Rock the House, Stylo

Listen to it When: You’re partying with your old friends. 

Video for Clint Eastwood...always a classic!