Formed in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, the band has been known for the past 25+ years for presenting as a virtual band, comprised of four members, 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel. Some other characters have been featured as temporary members. Their universe is expanded upon through music videos, interviews, short cartoons, and other forms of media.
With at least eight studio albums, their genre has been described as alternative rock, hip-hop, pop, and many more names. I tend to disagree, though. To me, their sound has always been Gorillaz. at least to me. No two songs or albums sound the exact same due to many talented collaborators being uplifted. I appreciate it.
Each new studio album is followed by a 'phase,' each with their own respective names to separate their eras appropriately. Most are named after their albums of the time. As of today, there exists Celebrity Takedown, Slowboat to Hades, Escape to Plastic Beach, We Are Still Humanz, The Now Now, Song Machine, and The Static Channel.
My personal favorite would have to be Phase 2. There was a certain grunge look to its visual aesthetics that I still love, and the political messages of Demon Days still ring important and true, to some extent.
I've loved Gorillaz for many years, to the point that I don't even remember when I first discovered them. This appreciation was furthered around 2018, when The Now Now was the phase in motion and the album released. That was a very special summer for me, I met many people who became my friends because of it.
Ever since then, I return to their music every few months or so, just as a refresher. Not just their music, but their earlier writing/plot is what keeps me checking in every now and then. Rise of The Ogre is still a wonderful read, every character is written so, so well and it makes me ache comparing it to their modern writing.
I hate to be a downer about something I like so much, but I really don't feel all that fond of the 'writing' that's been done ever since The Now Now ended. Gorillaz has always been strapped for steady cash, I know this, but it's kind of awkward when their music seems to take a backseat for the sake of selling merch that seems oversaturated and almost cheap.
On top of that, I can't say I'm all that fond of the newest phase's 'writing.' Initially, I thought the cult theme was a wonderful idea, I thought they'd delve into how damaging cults are to anyone and everyone, especially with the cult boom that's been happening lately due to social media and a global pandemic. But none of that seems remotely like what they were going for. It feels like they're just saying "Hey, we dress in a bright pretty pink now and call ourselves a cult, wanna buy a vinyl?" For a marketing tactic, it sure fell flat in my eyes.
Especially with the unfolding 'plot' related to the rival cult in the story at the moment. There's nothing there of substance, just "this cult is blue, and they're bad" not to mention the entire thing with Moon Flower, the Forever Cult's leader. The love triangle plotline is so damn forced I feel like I'm being tied down and forced to watch all this drama unfold Clockwork Orange style.
Enough of my grievances, though. I'm here to talk about why I actually like Gorillaz. I've always had a deep love for their music, sure, but I've always found the art pieces for the band to be fascinating and beautiful, illustrated by Jamie Hewlett. My personal favorite art pieces come from phases 1, 2, and 5. I find his art to be a large inspiration to me, and it very much influences the way I draw, subconsciously or not.
On a more personal note, 2-D has always been my favorite member of the band, since I find that we're alike in ways. We both have brain damage that makes us a bit stupid, is what I'm saying. Bad eyesight too. I appreciate his taste in films, especially horror flicks, and I always loved how much of a rude prettyboy he really was. I promised myself that once I had the money to get a nice tattoo, it'd be something related to him. Pills, an 8 ball, a piano, zombie, just something we both like.
I seriously cannot emphasize how much Gorillaz has been a positive influence on my life, even if I've had my ups and downs with it. Thanks for reading.
I'll probably add more as I remember more things to say. My train of thought was derailed by my bitching once again, haha.
go home?
With at least eight studio albums, their genre has been described as alternative rock, hip-hop, pop, and many more names. I tend to disagree, though. To me, their sound has always been Gorillaz. at least to me. No two songs or albums sound the exact same due to many talented collaborators being uplifted. I appreciate it.
Each new studio album is followed by a 'phase,' each with their own respective names to separate their eras appropriately. Most are named after their albums of the time. As of today, there exists Celebrity Takedown, Slowboat to Hades, Escape to Plastic Beach, We Are Still Humanz, The Now Now, Song Machine, and The Static Channel.
My personal favorite would have to be Phase 2. There was a certain grunge look to its visual aesthetics that I still love, and the political messages of Demon Days still ring important and true, to some extent.
I've loved Gorillaz for many years, to the point that I don't even remember when I first discovered them. This appreciation was furthered around 2018, when The Now Now was the phase in motion and the album released. That was a very special summer for me, I met many people who became my friends because of it.
Ever since then, I return to their music every few months or so, just as a refresher. Not just their music, but their earlier writing/plot is what keeps me checking in every now and then. Rise of The Ogre is still a wonderful read, every character is written so, so well and it makes me ache comparing it to their modern writing.
I hate to be a downer about something I like so much, but I really don't feel all that fond of the 'writing' that's been done ever since The Now Now ended. Gorillaz has always been strapped for steady cash, I know this, but it's kind of awkward when their music seems to take a backseat for the sake of selling merch that seems oversaturated and almost cheap.
On top of that, I can't say I'm all that fond of the newest phase's 'writing.' Initially, I thought the cult theme was a wonderful idea, I thought they'd delve into how damaging cults are to anyone and everyone, especially with the cult boom that's been happening lately due to social media and a global pandemic. But none of that seems remotely like what they were going for. It feels like they're just saying "Hey, we dress in a bright pretty pink now and call ourselves a cult, wanna buy a vinyl?" For a marketing tactic, it sure fell flat in my eyes.
Especially with the unfolding 'plot' related to the rival cult in the story at the moment. There's nothing there of substance, just "this cult is blue, and they're bad" not to mention the entire thing with Moon Flower, the Forever Cult's leader. The love triangle plotline is so damn forced I feel like I'm being tied down and forced to watch all this drama unfold Clockwork Orange style.
Enough of my grievances, though. I'm here to talk about why I actually like Gorillaz. I've always had a deep love for their music, sure, but I've always found the art pieces for the band to be fascinating and beautiful, illustrated by Jamie Hewlett. My personal favorite art pieces come from phases 1, 2, and 5. I find his art to be a large inspiration to me, and it very much influences the way I draw, subconsciously or not.
On a more personal note, 2-D has always been my favorite member of the band, since I find that we're alike in ways. We both have brain damage that makes us a bit stupid, is what I'm saying. Bad eyesight too. I appreciate his taste in films, especially horror flicks, and I always loved how much of a rude prettyboy he really was. I promised myself that once I had the money to get a nice tattoo, it'd be something related to him. Pills, an 8 ball, a piano, zombie, just something we both like.
I seriously cannot emphasize how much Gorillaz has been a positive influence on my life, even if I've had my ups and downs with it. Thanks for reading.
I'll probably add more as I remember more things to say. My train of thought was derailed by my bitching once again, haha.
go home?