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Gorillaz
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Gorillaz Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 339 Ratings

  • Summary: Forget concept albums; this is a concept band. Formed by Dan "The Automator" Nakamura, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Blur's Damon Albarn, Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori, and the Tom Tom Club's Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz (with visuals by "Tank Girl" creator Jamie Hewlett), the Gorillaz are aForget concept albums; this is a concept band. Formed by Dan "The Automator" Nakamura, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Blur's Damon Albarn, Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori, and the Tom Tom Club's Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz (with visuals by "Tank Girl" creator Jamie Hewlett), the Gorillaz are a "virtual" hip-hop outfit of cartoon characters based somewhere in the future. Hey, we don't make this stuff up; we just report it.… Expand

Top Track

19-2000
The world is spinnin' too fast I'm buyin' that Nike shoes To keep myself tethered To the days I tried to lose My Mama said, "To slow down You must... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. E! Online
    100
    Cleverly mixes soft-focus hip-hop, trippy space rock and Ennio Morricone-style melodrama with Albarn's unwavering pop melodies.
  2. AllMusic
    80
    The slow rumble of Nakamura's production, Hewlett's outstanding graphic model, even Albarn himself all fuse into a convincing gestalt.
  3. Alternative Press
    80
    Whereas the Beckster tends to wriggle cheekily along to his funk, and Badly Drawn Boy does his own thing in spite of it, Gorillaz don't give a rat's ass about acting funky; they just are. [July 2001, p.68]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Almost Cool
    70
    It's at its best when it puts Albarn in situations that you wouldn't normally hear him in, but also stumbles occassionally with a couple tracks that feel rather tossed-off and others that feel like they could have come off a Blur b-side.
  5. HOB.com
    60
    Taken only for what it is, Gorillaz is an engaging, if not entirely arresting, journey through sluggish mood rock and jazzy hip-hop. Taken for what it aspires to be, though, it's more disappointing than awe-inspiring...
  6. Rolling Stone
    60
    Inspired by the punky reggae parties of Sandinista!-era Clash, tracks like the dub-rap-rock mutation "Clint Eastwood" and its catchier two-step Rasta remix bring back the exuberance missing from Blur's last album, 13, while running with its anything-goes avant-aesthetic.
  7. Village Voice
    50
    It's what you might expect from a bunch of musos playing with Cubase or ProTools: sampled loops, Brixton dub, trip-hoppy tangents. U.N.K.L.E.'s bratty nephew, really, though the album sounds like the group locked the metronome on "heavy funk groove"--chugging and satisfying at first, it feels exhausted by the fifth or sixth track.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 73
  3. Negative: 2 out of 73
  1. VadamercaN
    Jul 27, 2007
    10
    Both energetic and easy-listening, this CD brought together so many fans and listeners, the world could even be saved from global warming. If Both energetic and easy-listening, this CD brought together so many fans and listeners, the world could even be saved from global warming. If your looking for pop, rock and hip-hop all in one album, this is a must-have.… Expand
  2. T-demon
    Jul 22, 2006
    10
    The josie and the pussy cats of this century my foot. This band may just revolutionize the way people look at music. From its thought The josie and the pussy cats of this century my foot. This band may just revolutionize the way people look at music. From its thought invoking lyrics to it's curious way of presenting people, I'd say this is a must have CD. After all, even though only two people started them, over 50 people are behind them, and it's all wrapped up in an animated ball.… Expand
  4. YatenK.
    Jul 27, 2002
    10
    This is my all time favorite album; period. I love all of the music on the album. The first time I listened to it I thought "What the heck is This is my all time favorite album; period. I love all of the music on the album. The first time I listened to it I thought "What the heck is this crap?" But I started to appreciate it more and more. I strongly suggest this album.… Expand
  5. DrgnLive
    Jan 26, 2016
    10
    I Love so much this album! :D
    When I bought this album in 2001 I running in my house, I put the CD in my CD player.
    Then I looked more    I Love so much this album! :D
    When I bought this album in 2001 I running in my house, I put the CD in my CD player.
    Then I looked more similar bands to it (Deltron 3030)
    And now I listen to this in 2016!!! ^_^    … Expand
  6. Axxypie
    Sep 12, 2021
    9
    This is how you enter the world of music. The debut from the fictional band „Gorillaz“ is exemplary to say the very least. Memorable, variedThis is how you enter the world of music. The debut from the fictional band „Gorillaz“ is exemplary to say the very least. Memorable, varied and very creative. Who doesn’t know Gorillaz by now!?… Expand
  7. Hendo250
    Mar 29, 2021
    8
    this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8 this album is a 8
  8. bhsmall
    Oct 29, 2020
    0
    What a terrible way to start things off. A couple good songs but mostly a crapshoot

See all 73 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2001
1
#1 Most Shared Album of 2001

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