Lou Reed, Gorillaz Style

Here's Lou's Gorillaz look. He's going to be on Plastic Beach, did you hear? I've only written about it a million times.

This pic reminds me of the film Labyrinth. You know how Sarah's bedroom has all those dolls and toys that are brought to life in the Labyrinth, but at the end it's all like "was it just a dream, was she just imagining it?" You know, the Jareth blow up doll, the Hoggle trapper keeper and such? Well Lou's got a wee Plastic Beach in his glass, and teeny Gorillaz dolls in a bowl. Is he going to wake up tomorrow and think Murdoc was all a dream? Is 2D going to reappear to instigate a dance party in his room for one last hurrah (while we all know it was really imagined, but we humor him?) Have I watched Labyrinth too much? Maybe, but whatever, YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME.

I have no idea why I just wrote about a David Bowie movie whilst describing an illustration of Lou Reed. Oh wait, I remember.

Gorillaz Q cover, studio videos

Q's Gorillaz edition is out now in the UK. You'll probably be able to pick one up in the next couple weeks if you're in the US at a Borders or something for $10.
Click here to see QTV's exclusive footage of Gorillaz in the studio, featuring Paul Simonon and Mick Jones.

New Groove Armada track with Bryan Ferry ends the day with even more impossibly good new music

Shameless from Groove Armada's upcoming album Black Light is on RCRDLBL to download. It is effortlessly elegant, and it's retro 70's nostalgia makes it sound quite at home alongside Gorillaz' Stylo.

Stereogum posts new Plastic Beach tracklist

What? No Horrors? Ah well, this looks pretty definitive. Sinfonia ViVA (the orchestra from the Midlands, who I assume are on the "Electric Shock" demo) were all but confirmed.
Mick Jones and Paul Simonon! What!? A Clash reunion (of sorts) only Damon could pull that off.
Little Dragon are a Swedish electronic group. The rest are pretty self explanatory.


01 "Orchestral Intro" (featuring Sinfonia ViVA)
02 "Welcome To The World Of The Plastic Beach" (feat. Snoop Dogg & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble)
03 "White Flag" (feat. Kano, Bashy & The National Orchestra For Arabic Music)
04 "Rhinestone Eyes"
05 "Stylo" (feat. Bobby Womack & Mos Def)
06 "Superfast Jellyfish" (feat. Gruff Rhys & De La Soul)
07 "Empire Ants" (feat. Little Dragon)
08 "Glitter Freeze" (feat. Mark E Smith)
09 "Some Kind Of Nature" (feat. Lou Reed)
10 "On Melancholy Hill"
11 "Broken"
12 "Sweepstakes" (feat. Mos Def & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble)
13 "Plastic Beach" (feat. Mick Jones & Paul Simonon)
14 "To Binge" (feat. Little Dragon)
15 "Cloud Of Unknowing" (feat. Bobby Womack and Sinfonia ViVA)
16 "Pirate Jet"

[Stereogum]

Gorillaz.com widget, EMI should just sponsor my blog

scroll down to the right on the sidebar, there it shall stay. You're welcome EMI

Official Gorillaz youtube posts Stylo

Now I've had time to digest this, I think this is going to be a divisive Gorillaz album. I, however, am going to be on team "THIS IS AWESOME".
This just sounds so cool, especially when Bobby Womack starts belting it out. So disco-funk, soul, hip hop, electro jamz, brilliant.
Yep, Saturday Night Fever on acid sounds about right.

Listen to Stylo here. Thanks to Laure for the link.

Also, check gorillaz.com out...it's brand spanking newness might blind you.

Stylo leaks, and it's amazing.

No time to dissect this...will do tonight. It's a bit Depeche Mode musically, and Bobby Womack shuts it down. Brilliant. At first listen it kinds seems a bit 808 & Heartbreak in an abstract way...Although I really can't compute this, it's just so bizarrely cool.

(FYI I'm at work and have about 2 minutes to devote to this epic moment...sad, so I reserve the right to change all my thoughts this evening upon further listens)

JAM! NOW THE LINK ISN'T WORKING...HMM. I GUESS JUST SEARCH FOR IT, IT'LL POP UP.
Stylo Leak

MTV UK

Gorillaz Reflection: Plastic Beach Teaser Video

Gorillaz Headlining Coachella on April 18th

And some other bands will be there...but seriously, this is exciting. Of course I'll be there too! This almost makes up for Blur not playing Coachella last year, almost.

New Beach House Video: "Lover Of Mine" (for one day only)

Beach House and Sub-Pop have teamed up with Gorillavsbear to premiere a video a day from the new album Teen Dream. The album's out on Jan 26 to buy, and comes with a video for each song. Guys, seriously, this album is epically good. It'll make you sit and daydream the whole time you listen to it.
The videos are probably all going to be a bit offbeat (if this first one is any indication).
Go to Gorillavsbear to watch.

"Red Carpet" interviews from the Blur movie premiere: For God's sake don't make them listen to their own music!

There's not much the Blur lads agree on, but not listening to Blur is one of them...

In this first interview for Sky news Graham refers to Damon as his brother, and before you all go "awwwwwwww" he likened their brotherly relationship to the Gallaghers of Oasis, and the Davies' of The Kinks. So, you know, not too cuddly really... Graham also jokes that the others still hate him, and although it's all said in jest I can't help but think there's a grain of truth when he reveals they haven't phoned since the summer (sniff).


It's Absolute Radio's turn to annoy Damon. Despite trying to affirm his "Blur cred" by stating he was at one of the Hyde Park shows, this poor interviewer gets only a few seconds with a shifty eyed Damon. When confronted with the question "how does it feel to be a movie star" he grumpily states that he's definitely not one. I think someone's forgotten a little film called Face.
Damon's probably in total Gorillaz mode at this point, so all this Blur stuff is a huge pain in the arse for him. I'm starting to think the hat was an intentional choice to show his apathy, or maybe I just want the hat to be ironic, please let it be ironic.


Ever the gentlemen, Dave happily chats with Absolute Radio. Looking dapper, Dave's quite easily the nicest, and least ridiculous member of Blur (Vote Dave).


Even though Damon's a grumpy bastard, he's still my favorite genius, so all my snarky comments are said with the utmost respect (before you think I've converted).
Thanks to Blureu for the video tips!

Blur at premiere of reunion doc. "No Distance Left To Run"

In a shocking sartorial twist, Dave Rowntree is the best dressed Blur member. Damon, regressing further into some sort of mid-life crisis "homeless" mode, is again wearing the most wretched hat ever to have graced the head of a musical luminary. As it's a special occasion, he even showed up without his dental crown for that truly authentic toothy grin of someone who just doesn't care. Of course, we'll always love them, and it's nice to see that I'm not the only one who's aged these past ten years.
(All images © Getty)

Live at Hyde Park DVD to come with release of Blur doc "No Distance Left To Run".

Wow. Goosebumps. According to Parlophone this comes with the DVD release of the documentary "No Distance Left To Run" on February 15th.

Blur film premeire: Watch from the Odeon Leicester Sq. webcam

Watch the webcam here.

Something's occuring at 11pm GMT on Parlophone's twitter...

Parlophone Twitter.

Request No Distance Left To Run in your area

There's a link on this page to request No Distance Left To Run be shown in your area. It's at the right...
I'm not saying vote for the Kerasotes City North in Chicago, but you know what to do...

No Distance Left To Run premieres tomorrow, with band in attendance. Americans are left to wonder; "What is a Blur?"

Well, once again those of us in the barren wastes I like to call America are left to wonder wistfully about a certain group of British musicians. Some say they are real, but in America we can't be sure. For, much like the unicorn (or universal healthcare) they are maddeningly elusive creatures.

Yes, that's right kids, Blur have yet again shunned their Stateside brethren. For us, there is no word on an American release of No Distance Left To Run. Oh yes Canada gets it in their cinemas on the 19th, and even Japan and Austria have been promised a glimpse of the majestic Blur in their natural habitat.
So, not only were we left out of the Blur reunion tour, but we can't even see the documentation of that tour on film.

Maybe it's for our own good? Perhaps Americans are naturally allergic to Blur? Maybe it's like looking Medusa in the eyes and we would all turn to stone if we were able to see Blur on the big screen?
Somehow, I think not. I've watched plenty of the reunion shows on YouTube, and seen the footage of Glastonbury. As of yet, I haven't turned to stone*. I have however, turned green. Green with envy of all you lucky people who happen to live in a gentler, happier place. A place where Blur can roam free (for a list of those happy places, click here).

*As I am a British citizen, I can't verify that my reaction is indicative of the reaction an American would face upon seeing No Distance Left To Run. Please use caution and report all stone-like symptoms to your local authorities.

Funnily enough, the listing for the film has this parental warning "Contains strong language, once very strong." I just want to know what the "once" is!

Anyway, I'll do some updates tomorrow on the premiere while I act out my interpretation of the Blur reunion with sock puppets.

Mos Def loves Damon Albarn almost as much as we do

Here's a video (that some of you might've already seen) of a Mos Def interview. In it you'll learn:
1. Mos Def wants to steal Damon's beats (Har har. The fact that this guy went on to have beats is quite a metamorphosis.)
2. Mos Def's Gorillaz character is "Sun Moon Stars"
3. Secrets of that infamous Kanye after party in 2008

MOS DEF | OFFICIALLY JOINS THE GORILA UNIT [3 of 3] from DJ SEMTEX on Vimeo.

[oesquema.com]

Massive Attack's 'Saturday Come Slow' feat. Damon Albarn, album version.

Are you all impatiently waiting for Massive Attack's new album Heligoland like I am? If you just can't wait until February, I've come across a youtube upload of Damon's track 'Saturday Come Slow'. We all heard it when Massive Attack performed it live with Damon last September, so this version has been a long time coming. If this truly is the final cut, the vocals are much more subtle than the live performance. It gives the song a less urgent feel, Damon's live vocals were gut-wrenching, and gave it a sense of desperation. The album cut is more melancholy. I think it'll grow on me, but it seems that Damon sometimes has a hard time letting his vocals be the centerpiece, preferring to keep himself lower in the mix. Obviously, this was probably a decision made with Massive Attack (or even solely by them), but I'm excited to hear the new Gorillaz album Plastic Beach since Damon has said he's put more emphasis on his vocals.
Anyway, it's just nitpicking really, this is still a fantastic track.


There's also an mp3 of this track at Hotcakes, if you just can't hold out...

A bunch of Gorillaz rumors...none are verified, all are fun.

Plastic Beach's tracklist could be this: (this one seems fake to me...too good to be true, plus the addition of Mark E Smith and Einar Örn Benediktsson seems to be a Damon fan trying too hard. Is Ozzy even rumored to be on it? Also The Horrors track being called Satan’s Burlesque is far too literal... watch me be wrong...)
1.Intro
2.Seagull Massacre
3.Broken (featuring Mos Def)
4.Stylo (featuring Bruce Willis)
5.Electric Shock (featuring De La Soul)
6.Satan’s Burlesque (featuring the Horrors)
7.Pirate Ship (featuring Mark E Smith and Einar Örn Benediktsson)
8.Sweep Stakes (featuring Mos Def)
9.Carousel (featuring De La Soul)
10.Sloped Tropics (featuring De La Soul)
11.Twilight (featuring Ozzy Osbourne)
12.Daydream Daemon (featuring Mos Def)
13.Plastic Beach (featuring Lou Reed)
14.Banana Bunch (featuring Snoop Dog)
15.Arming The Nation (featuring Barry Gibb and Bobby Womack)
16.Closing Time

Or this: (slightly more credible...I can imagine Glitter Freeze sounding good to Damon one hazy night...although, no Electric Shock?)
1. Intro
2. Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach
3. Whiteflag
4. Rhinestone Eyes
5. Stylo
6. Superfast Jellyfish
7. Empire Ants
8. Glitter Freeze
9. Some Kind of Nature
10. Mellon Collie Hill
11. Broken
12. Sweep Stakes
13. Plastic Beach
14. Binge
15. Cloud of Unknowning
16. Pirate Jet

The first single might be Stylo, and it might come out on the 26th of this month...

And Bruce Willis might be in the music video...




ALL FROM GORILLAZ-UNOFFICIAL NEWS.

Gorillaz Trance

Hamish: "If I sit in front of this screen in a trance it almost looks like I'm in Gorillaz right?
Me: "No"
Hamish: "Well let me just try it out for the next half-hour while you try to watch this by craning your neck around my giant cat head"
Me: "Hello internet, let me introduce my cat"

Banjo Or Freakout: Upside Down

myspace.com/banjoorfreakout
banjoorfreakout.blogspot.com

It's 2010, time for "Plastic Beach" mania to begin!

So many rumors, so many questions! Will Gorillaz headline Coachella? (last year I thought Blur might headline...I was wrong). When is the release date? Is it in March? Is this the album's logo? Will there be many US dates or just one big one? Ahhh.
I just read about the logo, the Coachella rumor, and the supposed release date on the Gorillaz-Unofficial livejournal which is packed full of great Gorillaz breaking news. It truly is amazing. If Gorillaz are headlining Coachella I'll be there with bells on!

Victorian Horror's best show of 2009 is...

This year was tough. I was torn between choosing a big epic show like Moz or Depeche Mode, or a smaller show. If I based this on spectacle, showmanship, and my embarrassing fan-girly reaction, then Moz or Depeche Mode would've been the winner. However, I thought I'd follow last year's tradition of giving it to a newer band... so without further ado, the winner is:

THE HORRORS AT THE DOUBLE DOOR
Their blue-ribbon performance pushed them over the edge. It wasn't a big show, there weren't any flashy lights or video screens, but they really impressed me more than any other band this year.

A Decade of Damon: Part 3, 2007-2009

Happy new year everyone! Here's the finale of A Decade of Damon--the 3 part series in which we discover what we've been listening to during the past ten years... you know, because its all Damon, all the time, right?






2007:
Check out these geezers! The Good The Bad And The Queen is released in January, and instantly becomes another Damon Albarn success. The supergroup, consisting of Damon, Paul Simonon, Tony Allen, and Simon Tong goes on to tour, playing dates in the UK, Europe, and America. I got to see them at the 2007 Coachella festival in April. Amazing.
'07 is a busy year, it also heralds the opening of "Monkey: Journey To The West" Damon's circus-opera, created with Jamie Hewlett and Chen Shi-zheng. It premiers at the Manchester International Festival in June, then goes on to Paris until October.
Not just content with Chinese operas and supergroups, Damon also takes time to appear with Africa Express at '07's Glastonbury festival, performing with several artist including Kano. Damon appears on the Kano track Feel Free from his album London Town. Finally, Gorillaz release D-Sides, a B-side and remix album, featuring the beautiful Hong Kong.

2008:
The Chinese opera Monkey: Journey To The West is still going full steam ahead in 2008. It is staged at Charleston, S.C.'s Spoleto Festival, and I am lucky enough to see it. The opera goes on to the O2 arena in London, where it stays until January 4th 2009. An album based on the opera is released digitally in August, and on CD in October. The track "Monkey Bee" is tweaked a bit and used for the BBC's coverage of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. It is accompanied by a wonderful animation by Jamie Hewlett.






Damon performs tracks from the album on Later, with Jools Holland with a panda.


2009:
What a year! Blur reunite for several small shows around the UK...and a couple of huge ones too. Their set headlining '09's Glasto is epic, and they later go on to play two sold out shows at London's Hyde Park. Blur mania is fully reinstated, complete with NME covers, merchandise, and the release of the horribly named compilation, Midlife. The smaller "warm up" shows prove to be the most enthralling, and thanks to many a Youtube uploader, we get to see the magic (even if we're across the pond). Here's "Oily Water", and "Chemical World" from the Wolverhampton show:


Other Damon happenings this decade:
Honest Jon's label
Honest Jon's chop up
Amadou and Mariam's "Sabali"
Africa Express in Paris
Radio 1 takeover
...and too many collaborations to mention!

O.K, so that's it. Blur have no future plans, but the next decade looks to be just as prolific for Damon. 2010 will see the release of a new Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach.