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Demon Days |  | Artist: Gorillaz
Label: Virgin Records Us
Category: Music
List Price: $11.94
Buy Used: $5.86
as of 3/17/2010 22:13 EDT details
You Save: $6.08 (51%)
New (27) Used (29) from $5.86
Seller: cddvdexchanges
Rating:  358 reviews
Sales Rank: 401
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.7 x 0.4
MPN: 73838
UPC: 724387383821
EAN: 0724387383821
ASIN: B00082IJ08
Release Date: May 24, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Intro | | • | Last Living Souls | | • | Kids With Guns | | • | O Green World | | • | Dirty Harry | | • | Feel Good Inc. | | • | El Manana | | • | Every Planet We Reach Is Dead | | • | November Has Come | | • | All Alone | | • | White Light | | • | DARE | | • | Fire Coming Out Of A Monkey's Head | | • | Don't Get Lost in Heaven | | • | Demon Days |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
A side project doesn't usually hit gold, especially when said project is a quirky virtual collective fronted by cartoon characters. But the first, self-titled album by Gorillaz--the brainchild of illustrator Jamie Hewlett and Blur frontman Damon Albarn--actually hit platinum and turned into a surprise worldwide hit. Naturally expectations were a lot higher for Gorillaz's sophomore effort, but Demon Days actually is even better than its predecessor. With producer Dan "the Automator" Nakamura gone, Albarn, a.k.a. 2D, has paired up with DJ Danger Mouse (responsible for the infamous Grey Album that illegally mixed the Beatles and Jay-Z) to steer the musical ship, while a whole new slew of guests enlivens the proceedings. Albarn has described Demon Days as being darker, but there's a real kooky dance-party vibe coursing through the CD. Despite its somber tone, "Kids with Guns" is lifted by a killer bass line, for instance, while the catchy first single, "Feel Good Inc," is augmented by an appealing contribution from De La Soul. Other noteworthy guests include Roots Manuva and Tricky collaborator Martina Topley-Bird on the dubby "All Alone" and Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder on the bouncy "DARE." And yet it's a 69-year-old actor who gets to deliver the most baffling contribution--just listen to Dennis Hopper's spoken-word narrative on "Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head." Elisabeth Vincentelli
Amazon.com
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Demon Days Live |
Album Description
Limited edition Japanese exclusive pressing. Packaged in a paper sack with a bonus track, 'Hong Kong' (Live At Manchester Opera House). EMI. 2006.
Album Details
Co-produced by Gorillaz/Damon Albarn and the Grey Album Mastermind Danger Mouse, "demon Days" was Recorded at the Band's Own Kong Studios. The Album is a Darker and More Intense Affair Than 2001's "Gorillaz". Featured on the Album Are Contributions from De La Soul, Neneh Cherry, Martina Topley-bird, Roots Manuva, Mf Doom, Ike Turner, Bootie Brown of the Pharcyde, Shaun Ryder, Dennis Hopper, the London Community Gospel Choir and the San Fernandez Youth Chorus. Includes a 32 Page Extended Booklet, "The Swagga" Exclusive Audio Track " Feel Good Inc" (Video) "Feel Good Inc": The Making of Animatic, "Feel Good Inc" (Audio Commentary from the Band), Gorillaz Talent Quest (G Bite Animation), "Gorillaz on Set (G Bite Animation), Special Online Access to Exclusive Wallpapers and Screensaver.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 358
Demon Days Review March 16, 2010
W. Z. Turowski (Charlottesville, VA)
The sophomore album from the cartoon-character-headlined band Gorillaz is a solid mixture of computer created music and "real" instruments. Furthermore, Gorillaz is able to incorporate many different genres into the album while still maintaining a harmonious flow throughout the album, each song working individually while also contributing to the whole.
Gorillaz are naturally able to draw upon many genres due to the backgrounds of all the artists involved. Blur's Damon Albarn and the dj Danger Mouse work together to bring their rock and electronic music influences together that are apparent in most of the tracks. The two then bring in additional artists to create an array of styles throughout the album. For example, De La Soul's inclusion in the hit single "Feel Good Inc." Songs "Dirty Harry" and "November Has Come" also have strong hip hop influences. "All Alone" features British rapper Roots Manuva and Martina Topley-Bird, who has gained prominence in the trip hop scene. Other noticeable styles include a Franz Ferdinand style guitar rhythm in White Light, also mixed with an electronic compilation of music. Demon Days ends the album on a reggae note with a strong influence of the genre's rhythm.
Gorillaz are able to create such unorthodox beats and sounds while also using fairly orthodox instruments. Working in tandem with the digitally produced sounds of Danger Mouse come the sounds of cellos, violins, pianos, and both electronic and acoustic guitars. Most songs on the album, especially in the beginning and on the ones with hip hop elements, feature heavy bass beats produced either by computer or by a bass guitar.
Although not uncommon, the Gorillaz use two other interested effects in their sophomore album. The use of choirs appears in at least two songs, especially in the single "Dirty Harry". Also, spoken word is a common trait in electronic music. But the inclusion of famous actor Dennis Hopper as a narrator to a mythical story told over computerized beats and an acoustic guitar rhythm provides "Fire Coming Out of Monkey's Head" with a certain uniqueness. The story seems to come to an end, only to have a dreamy, angelic epilogue come in the form of the next song, "Don't Get Lost In Heaven". In fact, the whole album seem to have a dark ambiance until this point, where it seems to be coming towards a resolution of the entire album. Whether this escape from the melancholy can be wholly interpreted as a happy ending is certainly a personal opinion, my opinion being that it is strictly an ending and an escape with happiness being void.
It's interesting to see many people attempting to put the Gorillaz Demon Days into a genre. Some label it as alternative rock, electronica, or even dance. For me, dance elements are rare. Electronica and alternative rock seem to cover most of the album's personality, with the small inclusion of other elements such as hip hop. What's apparent is that the brain children of the Gorillaz, Danger Mouse and Damon Albarn, have incorporated their styles and the styles of guest artists to create something that seems to streamline into a story. With all the different elements synthesized to work together, it's difficult to think of the album in terms of genres. Instead, it's best just to take it in as a total listening experience.
 Is this the new "Josie and the Pussycats?!?!?" March 8, 2010
puma (Copenhagen Denmark)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
After listening to the much, much, much, MUCH hyped Gorillaz, I have to say that they are unquestionably one of the most overrated "bands" of all time. Damon Albarn was NOT Blur, by the way. That band was made up of FOUR very competent (and contributing!) musicians. And the whole idea of a cartoon band is about as original as the Archies (who were better).
They've got a new CD coming out this month. Warn me if it's being played.
 Britpop and some U.S. Hip-Hop January 26, 2010
E-Rock (Down South , USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am a huge fan of music, any and all kinds. When I stumbled upon the Gorillaz self-titled debut album, I thought I'd check it out due to liking the single Clint Eastwood. I was quite taken with the different various styles they incorporated on the album and have been listening to them ever since. I recently bought Demon Days and I can say, that it's better than their other album. The music features various U.S. rappers and different choirs and even a spoken word story told by actor Dennis Hopper in one of the songs. The style in this album is not for everyone though. If you were a fan of their first release, I'd strongly recommend this. Note: Lyrics are not included in album sleeve booklet.
Listen once and remove from I-Pod December 14, 2009
ChuckDeezul (Cooper Park in BKNY)
2 out of 21 found this review helpful
What a waste. I hate it when I purchase music that seems different, fall for the 'Radio' hit because it's different than what's in the regular rotation, buy the cd then use the disk for as part of my 'Sucky CD' collection. After reading the reviews of soooo many 5 star reviewers, buying this thing and then kicking myself in the head, I will stick with with what I know best-Funk, Hip Hop, Death Metal, Thrash, soul, salsa. Get Ozomatli instead. Get Megadeth instead. Get Slapback instead. Get Fishbone instead. Get Erykah Badu instead. Get Dying Fetus instead. Get Devin Townsend instead. Get Ice Cube instead. Get Jill Scott instead. Get John Legend instead. Get Suffocation instead. Get Living Colour instead. Get A Tribe Called Quest instead. Get Maxwell instead. Get Obscura instead. Get Prince instead. Get Redman & Method Man instead. Get the Roots instead. Get Isaac Hayes instead.
ANYTHING but Gorillaz. If you're a TRUE fan of music, I promise you, this cd sux!
BROOKLYN S T A N D U P!
Cooper Park, baby
50 Debevoise Ave
A high point of the 2000s. July 29, 2009
Angry Mofo
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
What began as a novelty act with cartoon monkeys ended up becoming the most creative band of the decade. By now, the innovations of Demon Days have become more common (even a Japanese video game soundtrack composer got wise to them, in 2007). But even so, the album remains absolutely dazzling. The sound of Demon Days is a freewheeling, kaleidoscopic fusion of rock, rap and electronica. The cartoon concept is a blessing, allowing mastermind Damon Albarn (the single most talented pop musician working today) to surround himself with numerous guest stars, shuffling them in and out of his songs at will. The album is more of a theatrical production than an album by a band.
For instance, the single "Dirty Harry" has the most unconventional song structure to be found in any hit single. The chorus is sung by a gospel choir; it is repeated twice in the beginning, with no words in between, and then the first line resurfaces once at the very end. After the second chorus, there is one long verse, performed by the Pharcyde rapper Bootie Brown. The music itself makes an abrupt change, from a funk guitar in the beginning to a string-laden break and a much harder, crashing beat on the rap verse. "Kids With Guns" is a loping groove reminiscent of "The Guns Of Brixton" by The Clash, but ends with a crescendo of crashing guitars against a slow, blunt beat and a fragile keyboard counter-melody. A less sudden change is the way the main melody switches from keyboards to strings in the second half of "Last Living Souls."
The whole album does this. It jumps from one type of vocalist to another, often in the space of the same song, but somehow the elements of the songs always make a good fit. Albarn's sexy, dangerous vocal on the chorus of "November Has Come" makes a perfect match with MF Doom's slow, sinister rap delivery. The smash single "Feel Good Inc." (the best single of the decade) has Albarn first sing-speaking a verse with an uneasy, dark vibe, then moving to a more emotional, wistful chorus with an acoustic guitar backdrop, and then brings in De La Soul for a blustering rap. Most of the guest stars are singers and rappers who have long been past their prime (most notably Shaun Ryder), but who are reinvigorated by the modern production. As for Albarn himself, his singing is excellent, smoother and more technically proficient than in the Blur days. His forlorn, gentle falsetto in "Every Planet We Reach Is Dead" is his best vocal performance to date.
Aside from the stylistic variety, the album's secret weapon is the inventive drum programming by producer Danger Mouse, chosen for this project on the strength of his underground mash-up The Grey Album. I've already mentioned the incredible beat in the second half of "Dirty Harry," but even when he's using more conventional rhythms ("Feel Good Inc."), he adds all kinds of breaks and fills. "El Manana" is a relatively straightforward ballad, but it gains a certain resilience from the unobtrusive, yet detailed and varied percussion.
For all the pop flourishes, however, the album is also very atmospheric. Danger Mouse throws all kinds of sound effects into the backgrounds, creating a murky feeling. The bass is prominent throughout: among its many strengths, "Feel Good Inc." also has a superb bass line. The strings in "Dirty Harry" and "Every Planet We Reach Is Dead" have a vaguely sorrowful sound, and the keyboard melodies in "Last Living Souls" and "Kids With Guns" are spare and spooky. The production gives a glacial sheen to the disco stylings of "DARE."
The lyrics are impressionistic, but usually contribute to the dark mood in some way, like Albarn's tense, portending chorus of "now you know November has come, and it's gone away," or his laments about how "I lost my way" and "we're the last living souls," or even Shaun Ryder's plea (surrounded by ghostly multi-tracked backing vocals) of "never did no harm" in "DARE." The rap verse in "Dirty Harry" makes a topical connection, evoking the paranoia of a soldier trying to survive in a strange land. But the unease of Demon Days is all-pervasive. In some way, the album captures the mood of the 2000s just as well as Blur's landmark Parklife epitomized the 1990s.
The best songs occur in the middle of the album -- tracks five through nine are spell-binding. But, unfortunately, the sprawling compositional style does over-extend itself sometimes. I'm not sure the album really needed two songs with a gospel choir at the end. Sure, the title track is supposed to show a ray of hope among the clouds, but when it urges you to "turn to the sun," that sounds like an awfully glib resolution. Furthermore, a couple of songs borrow the drab guitar chug of "Crazy Beat" from the last Blur album: "O Green World" has a good vocal performance, but the backing is grating, and "White Light" is a drag, a noisy and pointless two-minute instrumental with pounding drums. On the plus side, the reggae-inflected spoken-word track "Fire Coming Out Of A Monkey's Head" (where Dennis Hopper reads a morality play of sorts), though it may sound like a bad idea, actually ends up being very enjoyable.
The fact remains that, out of the fifteen tracks on Demon Days, seven or eight are the best music made by anyone during the 2000s. I recommend Demon Days to everyone. Even if you don't normally like rap or electronica, this may be the one album that warrants making an exception.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 358
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