Plastic Beach
by Gorillaz
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Mar 9, 2010
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 502 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 458 out of 502
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 502
  3. Negative: 21 out of 502

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. newt
    Mar 10, 2010
    5
    Hmm. Not so good. Really wanted to love it, loved previous gorillaz... love collabs, & downtempo, & world & rap plus anything & electronica & grime & meloncholia & all the elements this album has... but the album as a whole doesn't work. the songs are actually boring, even noodley at parts... wow. very disappointed. not one track that makes me sit up and hit repeat right away, & have Hmm. Not so good. Really wanted to love it, loved previous gorillaz... love collabs, & downtempo, & world & rap plus anything & electronica & grime & meloncholia & all the elements this album has... but the album as a whole doesn't work. the songs are actually boring, even noodley at parts... wow. very disappointed. not one track that makes me sit up and hit repeat right away, & have listened a few times waiting for it to grow on me but... it doesn't. not really recommended, sorry to say. and this from a big time fan.… Expand
  2. TravisH.
    Mar 21, 2010
    4
    Disappointed. Lacking any standout hits that I am used to from this band. After Gorillaz and Demon Dayz I had high hopes for this album and got it because I simply trusted the Gorillaz to provide top quality. Quantity seems more important here as there are 16 tracks, 4 of which I would consider catchy enough to cruise around to, but the album as a whole is a major dull let down smothered Disappointed. Lacking any standout hits that I am used to from this band. After Gorillaz and Demon Dayz I had high hopes for this album and got it because I simply trusted the Gorillaz to provide top quality. Quantity seems more important here as there are 16 tracks, 4 of which I would consider catchy enough to cruise around to, but the album as a whole is a major dull let down smothered by mediocrity and a possible sense of accomplishment overshadowing the need to produce quality hits. Instead we are introduced to the singer we love surrounded by guest star cameos. I feel like i was tossed a piece of bologni when I clearly wanted steak.… Collapse
  3. HelgiG.
    Mar 17, 2010
    6
    I have to say I am disappointed. Having listened to the whole album leaves me with not remembering a single song. I also found the album pretty much all the same. It was pretty relaxing listening to the first few songs but then the album just became plain boring. Come on Gorillaz! You can do so much better than this!
  4. michaelv.
    Mar 22, 2010
    6
    Its just like the gorillaz never finished this album . They take no chances .
  5. Wuehltisch
    May 22, 2015
    6
    Disappointing of some sort. Tried listening to it multiple times, even revisited the album several years later, and yet again, it does not convince me as much as Demon Days did.
  6. macintosh1
    Jul 14, 2020
    6
    This is a good album. It’s well made, well written, all around a solid record. However, it’s a bit too rap oriented for my taste, as I’m not a big fan of the genre. Some rap parts I like, but the majority of the time it just drags the album down for me.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2010
14
#14 Most Shared Album of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 34
  3. Negative: 1 out of 34
  1. BBC Music
    100
    Only behind such a distracting smokescreen could Damon Albarn get away with conducting a project as sprawling, daring, innovative, surprising, muddled and magnificent as Plastic Beach: not just one of the best records of 2010, but a release to stand alongside the greatest Albarn’s ever been involved with and a new benchmark for collaborative music as a whole.
    Read full review
  2. Clash Music
    70
    Best when he’s corralling others into out-of-their-comfort-zone creativity, it’s the Albarn-sung tracks on the second half of the album where the attention wanders and the album opening Snoop Dogg cameo seems a million miles away. Of course, there’s alot here to take in and maybe it just needs a fair few listens to fully digest it - the sign of any album worth its salt.
    Read full review
  3. Mojo
    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]
See all critic reviews »