Gorillaz | The Singles Collection

Friday 25th November, Gorillaz releases The Singles Collection celebrating a decade of music.

It’s been 10 years since Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, 2D and Russel Hobbs came together in a cartoon world as Gorillaz to release their debut album and today sees the launch of ‘Gorillaz The Singles Collection 2001 – 2011′, a collection of career-spanning singles, videos and remixes from everybody’s favourite animated band.

Formed in 1998, the band released their revolutionary debut album ‘Gorillaz’ in 2001. At the time it was all a bit odd, ‘So, they’re a band, right? But they don’t actually exist in person? What?’ Plenty were confused, even more were critical calling it gimmicky, but to those of us who worship at the altar of Albarn it was exciting. A first listen to track ‘Clint Eastwood’ would be all that was needed to convert the masses – the album went on to sell 6 million copies around the world.

The hugely successful campaign took its toll on Gorillaz. As guitar-playing wunderkind Noodle noted sadly “Every great band is destroyed by their success. Cartoon bands are no exception”. Despite this, she wrestled the band back together for the release of second album Demon Days in 2005 and a run of groundbreaking animated live shows at Manchester International Festival and Harlem’s Apollo Theater.

In early 2010 Gorillaz resurfaced again – this time from an island in the South Pacific with the album Plastic Beach. The lead single Stylo featured a bad ass Bruce Willis chasing down our intrepid Gorillaz who made a clean escape and headed out on their first World Tour with a crack team of musicians including Clash greats Paul Simonon and Mick Jones.

Always pushing the boundaries of technology, music and visuals, in ten years, Gorillaz have received a plethora of influential awards and recognition that represented the band’s significance beyond their music. Alongside a Grammy and an Ivor Novello, Gorillaz took home the Webby Award for Artist of The Year 2006, plus the Jim Henson Award for Creativity. In 2006 Jamie Hewlett was awarded Designer of the Year for his work on Gorillaz; four years later the band graced the cover of tech bible Wired Magazine.

Over the years Gorillaz have worked with numerous artists including Dangermouse, Del the Funkee Homosapien, De La Soul, Bobby Womack, Ike Turner, Lou Reed, Little Dragon, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Shaun Ryder and Neneh Cherry.

Track Listing

1.    Tomorrow Comes Today
2.    Clint Eastwood
3.    19-2000
4.    Rock the House
5.    Feel Good Inc (Album Version)
6.    DARE (Radio Edit)
7.    Dirty Harry (Single Edit)
8.    Kids With Guns
9.    El Mañana
10. Stylo (Radio Edit) [feat. Mos Def and Bobby Womack]
11. Superfast Jellyfish (feat. Gruff Rhys and De La Soul)
12. On Melancholy Hill (Radio Edit)
13. Doncamatic (feat. Daley)
14. Clint Eastwood (Ed Case/Sweetie Irie Refix) [Edit]
15. 19-2000 (Soulchild Remix)

Gorillaz The Singles Collection 2001 – 2011 is available to buy as a CD/DVD, Double Vinyl LP or 7″ Box Set or for download from iTunes for more information go to gorillaz.com.

Joanna for stylesiren.ie