Gorillaz (album)
Encyclopedia
Gorillaz is the debut album by the British virtual band
Gorillaz
, released in March 2001. It includes the singles "Clint Eastwood
", "19-2000
", "Rock the House
" and "Tomorrow Comes Today". The album reached #3 in the UK, and was an unexpected hit in the U.S., hitting #14 and selling over ten million copies worldwide.
s, including hip-hop
, rock, Latin, punk
, dub
, acid
, and reggae
. The beginning of the song "M1 A1" features a successive sound clip from the movie Day of the Dead. The song "Slow Country" features a sample from The Specials
' 1981 single "Ghost Town
". A sampled loop from "In the Hall of the Mountain Queen" by Raymond Scott
is repeated throughout the song "Man Research (Clapper)". The song's title is a nod to Raymond Scott's Manhattan Research. It was recently revealed that the track "Starshine" has an alternate version, which features Luton-based rap group Phi Life Cypher
. This particular version is not available on any releases, but it is available on the Phi Life Cypher
SoundCloud
channel and also on the video-sharing website YouTube
. All editions of the Gorillaz album feature an enhanced section that included screen savers, wallpaper and an autoplay
, featuring a short movie which opens the user's internet browser to a special section of the Gorillaz website, http://murdocswinnebago.com, which gives the user full access to Murdoc's winnebago. In 2004, the album was packaged with 2002's Laika Come Home
in a limited edition box set as part of EMI
's "2CD Originals" collection. Gorillaz received generally positive reviews from critics, with the exception of Robert Christgau
and Rolling Stone
. It was ranked #6 in Spin
's Albums of the Year 2001, ranked #9 in Slant Magazine
's best of the 2000s list, and included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
.
UK Re-Issue Bonus Tracks
US Bonus Tracks
US Re-Issue Bonus Tracks
Limited Edition French Digipak Bonus Disc
Limited Edition Malayasian Bonus AVCD
Virtual band
In music, a virtual band is any group whose members are not corporeal musicians, but animated characters...
Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
, released in March 2001. It includes the singles "Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood (song)
"Clint Eastwood" is a song by Gorillaz. It was released as the first single from their debut album in March 2001. It peaked at #4 in the UK and #57 in the US on 11 September 2001. The single has sold 480,000 copies in the UK according to the Official UK Charts Company. The song is a mix of...
", "19-2000
19-2000
"19-2000", sometimes written "19/2000", is a song from the Gorillaz' self-titled debut album, Gorillaz. It was also the second single from the album, released in June 2001. The single released was accompanied by a completely new version of the song, called the "Soulchild Remix", which was produced...
", "Rock the House
Rock the House
"Rock the House" is a song from the Gorillaz self-titled debut album, Gorillaz. It was released as the third single from the album in October 2001. It peaked at #18 on the UK Singles Chart. The song is one of the more hip hop-oriented songs on the album, along with "Clint Eastwood"...
" and "Tomorrow Comes Today". The album reached #3 in the UK, and was an unexpected hit in the U.S., hitting #14 and selling over ten million copies worldwide.
Album information
Throughout the album the band experiments with many combinations of genreGenre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
s, including hip-hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, rock, Latin, punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, dub
Dub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
, acid
Acid jazz
Acid jazz is a musical genre that combines elements of jazz, funk and hip-hop, particularly looped beats. It developed in the UK over the 1980s and 1990s and could be seen as tacking the sound of jazz-funk onto electronic dance: jazz-funk musicians such as Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd and Grant Green are...
, and reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
. The beginning of the song "M1 A1" features a successive sound clip from the movie Day of the Dead. The song "Slow Country" features a sample from The Specials
The Specials
The Specials are an English 2 Tone ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude", and had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than other ska groups...
' 1981 single "Ghost Town
Ghost Town
"Ghost Town" is the title of a 1981 song by the British ska band, The Specials. The song spent three weeks at number one and ten weeks in the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart. Addressing themes of urban decay, deindustrialisation, unemployment and violence in inner cities, the song is remembered for...
". A sampled loop from "In the Hall of the Mountain Queen" by Raymond Scott
Raymond Scott
Raymond Scott was an American composer, band leader, pianist, engineer, recording studio maverick, and electronic instrument inventor....
is repeated throughout the song "Man Research (Clapper)". The song's title is a nod to Raymond Scott's Manhattan Research. It was recently revealed that the track "Starshine" has an alternate version, which features Luton-based rap group Phi Life Cypher
Phi Life Cypher
Phi Life Cypher is a British hip hop group based in Luton, comprising two MCs, Si Phili and Life MC, and DJ Nappa. The trio started making music together around 1996, and since have had much success on the UK underground circuit...
. This particular version is not available on any releases, but it is available on the Phi Life Cypher
Phi Life Cypher
Phi Life Cypher is a British hip hop group based in Luton, comprising two MCs, Si Phili and Life MC, and DJ Nappa. The trio started making music together around 1996, and since have had much success on the UK underground circuit...
SoundCloud
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform which allows collaboration, promotion and distribution of audio recordings.-History:SoundCloud was originally started in Stockholm, Sweden, but was established in Berlin, Germany in August, 2007 by sound designer Alex Ljung and artist Eric Wahlforss...
channel and also on the video-sharing website YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. All editions of the Gorillaz album feature an enhanced section that included screen savers, wallpaper and an autoplay
AutoPlay
AutoPlay, a feature introduced in Windows XP, examines newly discovered removable media and devices and, based on content such as pictures, music or video files, launches an appropriate application to play or display the content. It is closely related to the AutoRun operating system feature...
, featuring a short movie which opens the user's internet browser to a special section of the Gorillaz website, http://murdocswinnebago.com, which gives the user full access to Murdoc's winnebago. In 2004, the album was packaged with 2002's Laika Come Home
Laika Come Home
Laika Come Home is a Gorillaz remix album released in July 2002 . Unlike a typical remix album, it is done by just one group, Spacemonkeyz. It contains most of the songs from the Gorillaz' first album, Gorillaz, but remixed in dub and reggae style. The album features Terry Hall, U Brown, Earl 16...
in a limited edition box set as part of EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
's "2CD Originals" collection. Gorillaz received generally positive reviews from critics, with the exception of Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
and Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
. It was ranked #6 in Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
's Albums of the Year 2001, ranked #9 in Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
's best of the 2000s list, and included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is a musical reference book edited by Robert Dimery, first published in 2005. The most recent edition consists of a list of albums released between 1955 and 2010, part of a series from Quintessence Editions Ltd...
.
Tracklisting
- "Re-Hash" – 3:37
- "5/45/4 (Gorillaz song)"5/4" is a song by Gorillaz and is the second track on their 2001 self-titled debut album. The title is a reference to the time signature of the opening guitar riff...
" – 2:39 - "Tomorrow Comes Today" – 3:12
- "New Genious (Brother)" – 3:57
- "Clint EastwoodClint Eastwood (song)"Clint Eastwood" is a song by Gorillaz. It was released as the first single from their debut album in March 2001. It peaked at #4 in the UK and #57 in the US on 11 September 2001. The single has sold 480,000 copies in the UK according to the Official UK Charts Company. The song is a mix of...
" (Feat. Del tha Funkee HomosapienDel tha Funkee HomosapienTeren Delvon Jones , better known as Del the Funky Homosapien or Del tha Funkee Homosapien, is an American MC.-Early life and beginnings: 1990-1997:...
) – 5:39 - "Man Research (Clapper)" – 4:31
- "Punk" – 1:36
- "Sound Check (Gravity)" – 4:40
- "Double Bass" – 4:44
- "Rock the HouseRock the House"Rock the House" is a song from the Gorillaz self-titled debut album, Gorillaz. It was released as the third single from the album in October 2001. It peaked at #18 on the UK Singles Chart. The song is one of the more hip hop-oriented songs on the album, along with "Clint Eastwood"...
" (Feat. Del tha Funkee HomosapienDel tha Funkee HomosapienTeren Delvon Jones , better known as Del the Funky Homosapien or Del tha Funkee Homosapien, is an American MC.-Early life and beginnings: 1990-1997:...
) – 4:08 - "19-200019-2000"19-2000", sometimes written "19/2000", is a song from the Gorillaz' self-titled debut album, Gorillaz. It was also the second single from the album, released in June 2001. The single released was accompanied by a completely new version of the song, called the "Soulchild Remix", which was produced...
" – 3:27 - "Latin Simone (¿Que Pasa Contigo?)" (Feat. Ibrahim FerrerIbrahim FerrerIbrahim Ferrer was a popular Afro-Cuban singer and musician in Cuba. He performed with many musical groups including the Conjunto Sorpresa, Orquesta Chepin-Choven and Afro-Cuban All Stars...
) – 3:36 - "Starshine" – 3:31
- "Slow Country" – 3:35
- "M1 A1" – 3:50
- "Clint Eastwood" (Ed Case Refix) (Hidden Track) - 4:29
UK Re-Issue Bonus Tracks
- 16. "Clint Eastwood" (Ed Case Sweetie Irie Refix Edit) - 3:42
- 17. "19-2000" (Soulchild Remix) - 3:33
US Bonus Tracks
- 16. "Dracula" - 4:44
- 17. "Left Hand Suzuki Method" - 3:11
US Re-Issue Bonus Tracks
- 18. "19-2000" (Soulchild Remix) - 3:33
- 19. "Clint Eastwood" (Ed Case Refix) - 4:29
Limited Edition French Digipak Bonus Disc
- "Dracula" - 4:44
- "Hip Albatross" - 3:43
- "Left Hand Suzuki Method" - 3:10
- "The Sounder" - 4:29
Limited Edition Malayasian Bonus AVCD
- "12D3" - 3:25
- "Dracula" - 4:44
- "Left Hand Suzuki Method" - 3:10
- "Hip Albatross" - 3:43
- "Tomorrow Comes Today" (Video)
- "Clint Eastwood" (Video)
- "19-2000" (Video)
Chart positions
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
14 |
| Canadian Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Albums |
13 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
3 |
Singles
- "Tomorrow Comes TodayTomorrow Comes TodayTomorrow Comes Today was the first release by British alternative band Gorillaz, issued as an EP in November 2000. The first three songs from the EP ended up on their debut album, however, 'Latin Simone' was heavily edited, and dubbed into Spanish, for the album release. The new version was sung by...
" was released as an EP before the album was released. A video for the song was also released. - "Clint EastwoodClint Eastwood (song)"Clint Eastwood" is a song by Gorillaz. It was released as the first single from their debut album in March 2001. It peaked at #4 in the UK and #57 in the US on 11 September 2001. The single has sold 480,000 copies in the UK according to the Official UK Charts Company. The song is a mix of...
" was the first single from the album on 4 March 2001. The single peaked at #4 in the UK Singles Chart, #57 in the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and #3 in the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks. - "19-200019-2000"19-2000", sometimes written "19/2000", is a song from the Gorillaz' self-titled debut album, Gorillaz. It was also the second single from the album, released in June 2001. The single released was accompanied by a completely new version of the song, called the "Soulchild Remix", which was produced...
" was the second single from the album, released in June 2001. The single peaked at #6 in the UK Singles Chart and #23 in Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks. - "Rock the HouseRock the House"Rock the House" is a song from the Gorillaz self-titled debut album, Gorillaz. It was released as the third single from the album in October 2001. It peaked at #18 on the UK Singles Chart. The song is one of the more hip hop-oriented songs on the album, along with "Clint Eastwood"...
" was the third single from the album, released in October 2001. The single peaked at #8 in the UK Singles Chart. - "Tomorrow Comes TodayTomorrow Comes Today (single)"Tomorrow Comes Today" is a song from Gorillaz's self-titled debut album, Gorillaz, originally appearing as the opening track of their debut EP of the same name. The song itself was also the fourth and final single from that album, released on February 25, 2002. It peaked at #33 on the UK Singles...
" was the fourth and final single from the album, released almost a year after the album, in February 2002. It peaked at #33 in the UK Singles Chart. - "5/4" was repeatedly considered for a single but was edged out by "19-200019-2000"19-2000", sometimes written "19/2000", is a song from the Gorillaz' self-titled debut album, Gorillaz. It was also the second single from the album, released in June 2001. The single released was accompanied by a completely new version of the song, called the "Soulchild Remix", which was produced...
" and "Rock the HouseRock the House"Rock the House" is a song from the Gorillaz self-titled debut album, Gorillaz. It was released as the third single from the album in October 2001. It peaked at #18 on the UK Singles Chart. The song is one of the more hip hop-oriented songs on the album, along with "Clint Eastwood"...
". A video animatic was produced for the song, but it was never developed into full animation.
Virtual
- "2D2D (Gorillaz)The fictional character Stuart Pot , better known by his stage name 2-D, also simply spelled as 2D, is a member of the British virtual band Gorillaz...
" (voiced by Damon AlbarnDamon AlbarnDamon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
) – vocals, keyboards, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, melodicaMelodicaThe melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,... - "NoodleNoodle (Gorillaz)Noodle is a musician and member of the virtual band Gorillaz. She provides the guitar and keyboard, as well as some main and backing vocals for the band. She, like all other Gorillaz members, was created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett...
" (voiced by Miho HatoriMiho Hatoriis a singer, songwriter, and musician. She is primarily known as the vocalist of the New York City group Cibo Matto, and the first person to provide the voice of Gorillaz member Noodle.-Biography:...
and Tina WeymouthTina WeymouthMartina Michèle "Tina" Weymouth is an American musician, best known as a founding member and bassist of the New Wave group Talking Heads and its side project Tom Tom Club .-Profile:Weymouth is of French heritage on her mother's side. Weymouth was a cheerleader in high school...
) – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals - "Murdoc" (voiced by Phil CornwellPhil CornwellPhil Cornwell is an English comedian, actor, impressionist and writer. He is probably best known as being part of the Dead Ringers television and radio series...
(on occasions only)) – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - "Russel" (voiced by Remi KabakaRemi KabakaRemi Kabaka is a Nigerian drummer who has performed with Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood, John Martyn, Hugh Masekela, on Rhythm of the Saints by Paul Simon, Short Cut Draw Blood by Jim Capaldi and on Band on the Run by Paul McCartney. His London-based son, also called Remi Kabaka, provided the voice of...
) – drums, percussion - "Del the Ghost Rapper" (voiced by Del tha Funkee HomosapienDel tha Funkee HomosapienTeren Delvon Jones , better known as Del the Funky Homosapien or Del tha Funkee Homosapien, is an American MC.-Early life and beginnings: 1990-1997:...
) [contained within "Russel"] – raps
Non-Virtual
- Damon AlbarnDamon AlbarnDamon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
– vocals - Del tha Funkee HomosapienDel tha Funkee HomosapienTeren Delvon Jones , better known as Del the Funky Homosapien or Del tha Funkee Homosapien, is an American MC.-Early life and beginnings: 1990-1997:...
– guest vocals on "Clint Eastwood" and "Rock the House" - Ibrahim FerrerIbrahim FerrerIbrahim Ferrer was a popular Afro-Cuban singer and musician in Cuba. He performed with many musical groups including the Conjunto Sorpresa, Orquesta Chepin-Choven and Afro-Cuban All Stars...
– guest vocals on "Latin Simone (Que pasa contigo)" - Miho HatoriMiho Hatoriis a singer, songwriter, and musician. She is primarily known as the vocalist of the New York City group Cibo Matto, and the first person to provide the voice of Gorillaz member Noodle.-Biography:...
– Backing Vocals, guitar - Tina WeymouthTina WeymouthMartina Michèle "Tina" Weymouth is an American musician, best known as a founding member and bassist of the New Wave group Talking Heads and its side project Tom Tom Club .-Profile:Weymouth is of French heritage on her mother's side. Weymouth was a cheerleader in high school...
- Backing Vocals on Track 11 - Dan The AutomatorDan the AutomatorDaniel M. Nakamura , better known by the stage name Dan the Automator, is a Japanese-American hip hop producer. He founded the record label 75 Ark, which was distributed by Tommy Boy Records during its short existence....
- production