Gorillaz' list of Music You Should Hear
Amazon Earworms, May 2005
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, including De La Soul, Roots Manuva, and ex-Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder. 2D, Noodle, Russel, and Murdoc choose some of their favorite albums for Amazon customers.
Noodle's List of Music You Should Hear
50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong: 39 Golden Greats, the Fall
As much as Mr. Mark E. Smith would maybe consider it a particularly mainstream and lightweight display of taste to buy a collection of hits rather than the original albums in their entirety, this album contains many of my favorite Fall songs. "Totally Wired," "Rowche Rumble," "Cruiser's Creek," "Hit the North," and "Mr. Pharmacist". All classics!
New York Dolls, New York Dolls
The debut album from this glam-punk rock & roll five-piece was released in 1973 and became the catalyst for the formation of the Sex Pistols. The combination of Mr. Johnny Thunders' vicious guitar, David Johansson's aggressively...hmmm..."camp" vocal delivery, and Jerry Nolan's machine-gun drumming was a mix that still blows any competitors away! My favorites: "Personality Crisis," "Trash," "Looking for a Kiss," "Jet Boy," and "Subway Train." Johnny Thunders was the guitar-playing love child of Keith Richards and Al Pacino.
Road to Ruin, the Ramones
Without the Ramones music would have stopped in 1974, and you would all still be listening to John Denver and the Eagles.
Russel's List of Music You Should Hear
Live at the Apollo, James Brown
A magician at the peak of his powers. The aural display is a blistering collection of fireworks and dynamite, with Mr. Brown fronting a crack troop of musicians playing with military precision. Amazing!
Best Dressed Chicken in Town, Dr. Alimantado
Absolutely killer collection of dub songs. A hugely soulful and ramshackle delivery, combining the great skills of people like King Tubby, Upsetters, Gregory Isaacs, and Horace Andy among others.
What's Going on, Marvin Gaye
This is a wonderful, soulful album that combined an unprecedented vocal talent and heartbreaking melodies with a political and social commentary.
2D's List of Music You Should Hear
Specials, Specials
Another, like, classic debut album. 15 tracks of brilliance and not a single duff song on the whole record. Standouts: "A Message to You, Rudy," "Blank Expression," "Monkey Man," "Concrete Jungle," and loads more. If you haven't got this record already you're probably... er... a... dick.
Real Life, Magazine
Totally influential! This is the first album from Howard Devoto's band Magazine. This band was formed after he had just left the Buzzcocks. Him and Pete Shelley had written a song together that no-one could decide who owned. So Howard did it on this album as "Shot by Both Sides" and the Buzzcocks did it as "Lipstick." Magazine featured Dave Formula on keyboards, which is a... proper keyboardist name. Barry Adamson on bass. This is a fantastic record. I can't find my copy of it though.
Singles Going Steady, Buzzcocks
As a collection of songs, the sensitivity of the lyrics and the melodies were as suss and pop as the early Beatles.
Murdoc's Pick for Music You Should Hear
Jailbreak, Thin Lizzy
This album has accompanied me everywhere, throughout my whole life. It's live and it's dangerous! And now Gorillaz are "back in town," what else could I choose?
Noodle's List of Music You Should Hear
50,000 Fall Fans Can't Be Wrong: 39 Golden Greats, the Fall
As much as Mr. Mark E. Smith would maybe consider it a particularly mainstream and lightweight display of taste to buy a collection of hits rather than the original albums in their entirety, this album contains many of my favorite Fall songs. "Totally Wired," "Rowche Rumble," "Cruiser's Creek," "Hit the North," and "Mr. Pharmacist". All classics!
New York Dolls, New York Dolls
The debut album from this glam-punk rock & roll five-piece was released in 1973 and became the catalyst for the formation of the Sex Pistols. The combination of Mr. Johnny Thunders' vicious guitar, David Johansson's aggressively...hmmm..."camp" vocal delivery, and Jerry Nolan's machine-gun drumming was a mix that still blows any competitors away! My favorites: "Personality Crisis," "Trash," "Looking for a Kiss," "Jet Boy," and "Subway Train." Johnny Thunders was the guitar-playing love child of Keith Richards and Al Pacino.
Road to Ruin, the Ramones
Without the Ramones music would have stopped in 1974, and you would all still be listening to John Denver and the Eagles.
Russel's List of Music You Should Hear
Live at the Apollo, James Brown
A magician at the peak of his powers. The aural display is a blistering collection of fireworks and dynamite, with Mr. Brown fronting a crack troop of musicians playing with military precision. Amazing!
Best Dressed Chicken in Town, Dr. Alimantado
Absolutely killer collection of dub songs. A hugely soulful and ramshackle delivery, combining the great skills of people like King Tubby, Upsetters, Gregory Isaacs, and Horace Andy among others.
What's Going on, Marvin Gaye
This is a wonderful, soulful album that combined an unprecedented vocal talent and heartbreaking melodies with a political and social commentary.
2D's List of Music You Should Hear
Specials, Specials
Another, like, classic debut album. 15 tracks of brilliance and not a single duff song on the whole record. Standouts: "A Message to You, Rudy," "Blank Expression," "Monkey Man," "Concrete Jungle," and loads more. If you haven't got this record already you're probably... er... a... dick.
Real Life, Magazine
Totally influential! This is the first album from Howard Devoto's band Magazine. This band was formed after he had just left the Buzzcocks. Him and Pete Shelley had written a song together that no-one could decide who owned. So Howard did it on this album as "Shot by Both Sides" and the Buzzcocks did it as "Lipstick." Magazine featured Dave Formula on keyboards, which is a... proper keyboardist name. Barry Adamson on bass. This is a fantastic record. I can't find my copy of it though.
Singles Going Steady, Buzzcocks
As a collection of songs, the sensitivity of the lyrics and the melodies were as suss and pop as the early Beatles.
Murdoc's Pick for Music You Should Hear
Jailbreak, Thin Lizzy
This album has accompanied me everywhere, throughout my whole life. It's live and it's dangerous! And now Gorillaz are "back in town," what else could I choose?