I was skeptical going in about claims that this is a "genreless" masterpiece. But after hearing echoes of The Clash, Dead Kennedys, The Smiths, Bloc Party, Depeche Mode, Childish Gambino and Kendrick Lamar all within the first half of the album - not to mention an original flair all Genesis' own - I'm happy to be proven wrong.
Undeniably lovely instrumentation and full of wit and whimsy. Very Talking Heads in places, but like Talking Heads I find myself annoyed by individual idiosyncrasies rather than charmed by them. It feels overlong and we spend too much time with mopey Albarn compared to the transcendent hip hop funkiness of the rest of the collaborators - which has always been my core problem with Gorillaz.
I can't say that I'll ever listen again necessarily because this isn't my jam, but it's a testament to the craftsmanship that I feel completely compelled to still give it a high rating. Takes a lot of talent to be this creative, but a lot of effort and self-direction to keep things this tight and professional while having so much creativity.
"Richard we should Linklater" is an absolutely diabolical lyric to throw into a song about getting railed to within an inch of your life
Let's reclaim Grimes from her association with the most boringly straight man on the planet
Not always my cup of tea but undeniably catchy, clean and versatile.
I reeeeeaally willed myself to love this more but it's really mostly about the singles. I'm becoming a broken record with this exact assessment of about 100 albums.
Enjoying the movies of the 90s still eludes me but between Phair and The Cocteau Twins I'm ready to change my mind about the music of the 90s
pretty fun! A bit forgettable at points but it's never a chore to listen to Hayley and co.
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