Plastic Beach - Gorillaz
Plastic Beach Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 228 Ratings

  • Summary: The third album for Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett animated group features guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, Kano, Mos Def, De La Soul, Gruff Rhys, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, The Fall's Mark E. Smith, Little Dragon, Lou Reed, Bobby Womack, The Clash's Mick Jones, and Paul Simonon.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 34
  2. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. The whole thing works beautifully, more with each listen.
  2. Because past the pop songs, past the soaring (and let’s not make any bones about it, this album soars in places) this is a supremely clever album.
  3. 60
    The music that wraps around the concept is never boring and much of it is excellent....What's lacking is the nailed-on megatune--a "Clint Eastwood" or "Feel Good Inc"--that we've come to expect from a Gorillaz album. [Apr 2010, p.99]
  4. Too many of these 16 hazy, half-crazy tracks sound like undercooked studio goofs recorded in the wee hours by Albarn and his impressive circle of celebrity pals.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 67
  2. Negative: 3 out of 67
  1. ClifC.
    10
    This is the first 10 stars out of 10 album since M.I.A.'s "Kala". It's certainly the poppiest Gorillaz album, but it's the best. There is no Hit songs like "Dare", "Feel Good Inc." or "Clint Eastwood"; so it's not so immediate, you can't judge it by the first listen. It's more Pop. But who said Pop music couldn't be demanding? The whole album is perfectly balanced and constant in its grandeur. The only thing that wasn't excellent, in my opinion, was the choice of Bashy as a featuring. The rest is pure genius. Expand
  2. Although Plastic Beach isn't nearly as good as Demon Days, it's still a very entertaining album and a very good set of music. Liek before, 1 song will always stand out. In this case, that song is Stylo. Expand
  3. Plastic Beach was no doubt a good album, but it slightly loses it's edge towards the second half of the album. The first half was really great though. "Stylo" is a great jam and "Superfast Jellyfish" is another great track. The production is amazing. And some guest rappers really know how to make it all sound good. Especially Snoop Dogg in the first song "Welcome To The World Of The Plastic Beach". All In All, no Demon Days but Plastic Beach was nevertheless a good jam to listen too. B Expand
  4. 3
    Quite dissappointing. While the production, artwork, videos and list of guest appearances may be amazing, the quality of individual songs is very poor and even after a few months of listening I can not remember what the majority of songs sound like. Highlights however include "Stylo", "Superfast Jellyfish", Glitter Freeze" and "Empire Ants". Expand

See all 67 User Reviews

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