• Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Nov 29, 2011
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
Buy Now
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  1. Their synthbeat-meets-comi​x concept got over as pop because it found a mildly playful and pleasurable way to enact well-meaning self-effacement.
  2. Under The Radar
    Jan 19, 2012
    80
    Not one of them [the 15 singles on this album] sounds dated. [#39, p. 72]
  3. Q Magazine
    Dec 22, 2011
    80
    This collections reveals that you can make music as clever or as conceptual as you like, but back it up with magnificent songs, and the people will flock. [Jan 2012, p.132]
  4. Uncut
    Dec 12, 2011
    80
    If the Plastic Beach-era material gets a bit bogged down in the concept, it's not without its moments. [Jan 2012, p.86]
  5. Nov 28, 2011
    80
    Admire the riches this national treasure has bestowed upon us.
  6. Nov 28, 2011
    80
    It's a fine introduction to the multifaceted pleasures of Gorillaz.
  7. Nov 29, 2011
    79
    Taking the greatest-hits route through Gorillaz's career, it's impressive how few of the tracks sound dated.
  8. Nov 28, 2011
    75
    Albarn's work here with visual director Jamie Hewlett and a rotating cast of collaborators--Dan the Automator, Danger Mouse, Lou Reed, Snoop, etc.--is as remarkable as their 2001 debut selling six million records.
  9. Jan 3, 2012
    70
    Gorillaz helped re-unite both indie and pop with that most Paul Morley's jowl-wobbling of things: the abstract.
  10. Nov 29, 2011
    70
    Is Damon Albarn's "virtual band" the greatest British hip-hop act ever? This best-of makes a pretty strong argument for it -- not that the competition is all that stiff.
  11. Nov 28, 2011
    70
    Consistently surprising, fanciful and varied, each genre flip, from pop, dub and hip-hop to rap is traversed with ease.
  12. Nov 30, 2011
    60
    The Singles Collection 2001-2011 proves that at times Albarn touched on a warped pop genius, and to his credit comes out of the project with his reputation as creative wanderer intact, but from the off the constructed barrier meant that there was always little to really love, songs hidden too much behind their glitteringly presented shells.
  13. Nov 29, 2011
    40
    An album like this should exist, a complete picture of the Gorillaz' story so far. This isn't it.
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 46
  3. Negative: 3 out of 46
  1. Mar 20, 2012
    10
    A collection of all the favorites so far? How could this album have any negatives to it? A great collection of some of my favorite GorillazA collection of all the favorites so far? How could this album have any negatives to it? A great collection of some of my favorite Gorillaz tracks throughout the years, and now I dont even have to make a specific playlist to loop some of the best the group has put out! Full Review »
  2. Mar 29, 2021
    10
    this album is a 10 this album is a 10 this album is a 10 this album is a 10
  3. Sep 14, 2015
    9
    Gorillaz are an intriging idea on so many levels. As a side project originally, the platform gave Damon Albarn a freedom to experiment andGorillaz are an intriging idea on so many levels. As a side project originally, the platform gave Damon Albarn a freedom to experiment and detour. Of all their albums, "Plastic Beach" is the only one I find I can listen to from start to finish on a regular basis. Their debut has great moments but is sluggish in places and after awhile stops inviting the listener back. "Demon Days" has even more great moments but stylistically is a bit all over the place. Then there is "The Fall" which shouldn't really be mentioned in the same breath as Gorillaz. The common factor across their first 3 albums was a wealth of incredibly catchy singles that burrow into your music consciousness and nest there. This collection does a great job of gathering these moments. Yes, there are a few glaring ommissions (e.g. "Amarillo", "Rhinestone Eyes" instead of additional mixes of the tracks "Clint Eastwood" and "19-2000") but that is always the way with "Singles" collections. A must have for any music fan and I would also highly recommend "Plastic Beach" as well if you did like this. Full Review »