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Many music fans feel that there is not a lot left to prove for Damon Albarn, who is into his 17th year of releasing records.
Having been in an ‘era defining’ band with Blur and the hit machine of the urban edged pop of Gorillaz more recently, he is without doubt a truly classic songwriter of his generation. His constant ability to transform sets him apart from his Brit pop era peers still living on past glories or trying to launch solo careers with not much new to offer. Damon Albarn is still seen as relevant today as he was in the nineties.
At present, his latest outfit dubbed by many ‘a super group’ consists of legends such as the Clash bassist Paul Simonon, ex Verve guitarist Simon Tong and on drumming duties, they’ve enlisted the help of key founder of the afrobeat movement in the 70’s and 80’s, Tony Allen.
With this many heavyweights of music you almost feel obliged to believe it’s a mere self indulgent project, not worth putting in the cd player, as seen before with many a group with two or more famous names in the same band. You often get mediocre, anticlimax, over hyped, unmemorable radio friendly produced coffee table fodder, to be frank!
So is this the case this time round for Damon Albarn and his merry men? In a word, NO!
From the lush Spanish style plucking guitar of opener ‘History Song’ to the frenzied piano bashing attack of the final track ‘The Good, The Bad & The Queen’ this is a mood filled album describing London in affectionate terms by Albarn, and the group plays more like a bunch of friends [as Damon would like us to believe] than an individual and an assortment of musicians.
It has a lot of distinct, swirly effect siren type sounds seemingly randomly chucked into the mix which fly out of the stereo but serve to bind the tracks together. Then again the songs are mastered by producer of the moment and good friend of Albarn’s, Danger Mouse who worked with the maestro on Gorillaz (Demon Days 2005).
This album will genuinely be regarded as one of the finest releases of the year by fans of good home grown talent and music critics alike. It also sounds better with every listen! Just what we need to chase away the winter blues. We might have to wait two or three years for an album by this underrated genius but man is it worth it. Roll on that alleged Blur reunion with Graham Coxon, on this form it’ll be a cracker.
Hats off again Damon!
Words: Cameron Joseph
www.myspace.com/thegoodthebadandthequeen
www.thegoodthebadandthequeen.com |
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The Good, The Bad & The Queen
‘The Good, The Bad & The Queen’ |
