Spring Break
New Vibrations
D-Sides Gorillaz
Issue date: 12/6/07
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There is an inherent danger in releasing a B-sides album. First, these were, after all, rejected songs - how much can we really hope for? Second, if you choose to include early versions of songs that did make it in the end - as do Gorillaz on D-Sides - one may wonder, why am I not listening to the final version? Was it not better? On their most recent B-sides effort, Gorillaz avoid these problems on many tracks - and slam right into them on others.
For those keeping score, this makes two B-sides albums and two albums proper for Gorillaz. Not necessarily a disrepectable ratio, but one wonders what sort of gems may have been produced with a full-fledged effort from Damon Albarn, a former Blur member and Gorillaz's only permanent member.
Many of the songs weren't what one might expect from Gorillaz, though a B-sides album gives some leeway. For example, "68 State" is a neat little electric groove, but I found myself waiting for a Gorillaz beat that never came. "Hong Kong," an interesting Chinese-influnced number, was likewise good but certainly not what a Gorillaz fan would be used to.
Also included on the first disc were new versions of familiar Demon Days tunes. "People" would eventually become "Dare," and I am glad it did: "People" is missing that certain something.
I suppose one might have found "Rockit" on Demon Days, or perhaps on a forthcoming Gorillaz album. however, it comes off as gimmicky in the end, despite a quality some might call "fun" or "original."
The second disc is comprised (dutifully?) of remixes of Demon Days songs. The issue with remixing already electro-heavy Gorillaz songs is the lack of space to bring in a new, loud beat or interesting effects - they're all there already. What do remixing DJs do but add a thumping bass line and rearrange and mix in some samples?
A bit harsh on DJs, perhaps; there have been plenty of excellent electronic remixes. But when we remix "Dare," it had better get interesting quickly, or we long for the original. There are three remixes of both "Dare" and "Kids With Guns," with varying degrees of success.
"Feel Good, Inc." was given a good polishing by Stanton Warriors, adding an interesting beat to an otherwise mellower song.
My personal favorite, "Dirty Harry," was given the standout remix of the second disc. It was rewritten and performed in Chinese for the New Year's celebration, preserving the melodic charm of the original but adding an interesting Mandarin sonic lilt.
D-Sides has some worthwhile tracks and would be a respectable effort (if a bit disjointed) if presented by some lesser band. However, we have come to expect great things from Albarn and Gorillaz, and we feel a bit let down when we are not wowed by their musical stylings.
For those keeping score, this makes two B-sides albums and two albums proper for Gorillaz. Not necessarily a disrepectable ratio, but one wonders what sort of gems may have been produced with a full-fledged effort from Damon Albarn, a former Blur member and Gorillaz's only permanent member.
Many of the songs weren't what one might expect from Gorillaz, though a B-sides album gives some leeway. For example, "68 State" is a neat little electric groove, but I found myself waiting for a Gorillaz beat that never came. "Hong Kong," an interesting Chinese-influnced number, was likewise good but certainly not what a Gorillaz fan would be used to.
Also included on the first disc were new versions of familiar Demon Days tunes. "People" would eventually become "Dare," and I am glad it did: "People" is missing that certain something.
I suppose one might have found "Rockit" on Demon Days, or perhaps on a forthcoming Gorillaz album. however, it comes off as gimmicky in the end, despite a quality some might call "fun" or "original."
The second disc is comprised (dutifully?) of remixes of Demon Days songs. The issue with remixing already electro-heavy Gorillaz songs is the lack of space to bring in a new, loud beat or interesting effects - they're all there already. What do remixing DJs do but add a thumping bass line and rearrange and mix in some samples?
A bit harsh on DJs, perhaps; there have been plenty of excellent electronic remixes. But when we remix "Dare," it had better get interesting quickly, or we long for the original. There are three remixes of both "Dare" and "Kids With Guns," with varying degrees of success.
"Feel Good, Inc." was given a good polishing by Stanton Warriors, adding an interesting beat to an otherwise mellower song.
My personal favorite, "Dirty Harry," was given the standout remix of the second disc. It was rewritten and performed in Chinese for the New Year's celebration, preserving the melodic charm of the original but adding an interesting Mandarin sonic lilt.
D-Sides has some worthwhile tracks and would be a respectable effort (if a bit disjointed) if presented by some lesser band. However, we have come to expect great things from Albarn and Gorillaz, and we feel a bit let down when we are not wowed by their musical stylings.
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