By Owen Paiva – Entertainment Editor

Sixteen years ago, Gorillaz released their eponymous debut album. The album was the product of Blur frontman Damon Albarn’s vocals and instrumentals and Tank Girl creator Jamie Hewlett’s artwork to create a virtual band. The band consists of leader singer 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, drummer Russel Hobbs, and guitarist Noodle.  The virtual band served as a way for Albarn to experiment and combine many genres, including rock, trip hop, rap rock,art rock, Britpop, hip hop, dub, reggae, Latin, psychedelia, and punk rock. The album was produced by acclaimed hip hop producer Dan the Automator.

The album has a big hip-hop/alternative vibe, with the use of turntables and drum machines allowing to fit right at home with classic ’90s hip-hop like the Beastie Boys, De La Soul and other similar acts. The stand-out track of the album, and the mainstream American and British breakthrough single is “Clint Eastwood.” The song has a melodica riff that is an homage to Ennio Morricone, the composer behind the soundtracks of classic spaghetti westerns like the “Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” which stars Eastwood. Another reference to the actor is the line “Sunshine in a Bag” referencing a saddlebag full of gold from the actor’s numerous westerns. The reggae-style guitar and piano riffs blend perfectly with the eerie melodica, and Albarn sings the chorus, while Del the Funky Homosapien provides two verses that prove to be the highlight of the song. Del also lends his voice to the album “Rock the House,” another song that features the melodica, but it provides a cheery tune to a song that only features Del’s vocals. “19-2000,” which has a more alternative feel, is the second-best song on the album. Albarn’s melancholy is used with a smooth bassline to provide a catchy song that is sure to impress. The song’s Soulchild remix takes the song and makes it even better. The last track that stands out is “Tomorrow Comes Today” a dreary ballad highlighted by Albarn’s moody melodica playing and tough drum beat.

The album is less alternative and more hip-hop. Gorillaz other albums are less and less hip-hop oriented, and more influenced by alternative. The album is not as mainstream friendly as the other three Gorillaz albums, but that does not take away from this album. The album also suffers from not having too many great songs. Besides the four singles, only “5/4” and the instrumental “Double Bass” stand out. The other songs on the album are solid, not spectacular, but that more or less comes down to preference.  

The album is an experiment for the creative Albarn, with his creative differences with Graham Coxon delaying Blur’s album “Think Tank,” since Albarn was devoted to Gorillaz. Those who like Blur will find some songs they enjoy, and some they do not.

Sixteen years after its release, “Gorillaz” really stands the test of time. It holds up extremely well, with songs like “Clint Eastwood” still being used in soundtracks. The band as a whole has over 4.3 million listeners a month on Spotify, which makes them the 367th most listened to artist. That’s impressive for a band whose last song came out in 2012 and whose last album was released in 2011. 

It’s also notable because the Gorillaz are about to make headlines – and hits – again.

Albarn has said that the Gorillaz’ fifth album will be released in 2017 and will be more like “Gorillaz” and “Demon Days,” which is amazing, considering the quality and success of those albums. De La Soul and Snoop Dogg are both confirmed to be collaborators on the new album. Both Albarn and Hewlett are ecstatic with the progress.

Worldwide, the self-titled debut album has reached 5x Platinum, which means it sold over five million copies. The experiment set the foundation for the masterpiece that is “Demon Days” and the sensational “Plastic Beach.” Hopefully the new album is out sooner rather than later.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars