Getting nostalgic with Plastic Beach!!!

Yes you saw the title right! I am already feeling nostalgic about an album which is yet to be released (to be released on March 10th in UK). The feeling of nostalgia is primarily due to my heartfelt appreciation of their wonderful music ( from around 2003 even thought their Clint Eastwood was released around 2000) which coincides with my first days in a job. For all of you who don't know what Plastic Beach is and what is this nostalgia all about, I will explain all below. 

The Latest Album Cover

The album "Plastic Beach" is a latest album of the virtual band called "GORILLAZ". This virtual Band has 4 animated characters with a "made up"  history for each of them.  They fall under the electronic pop. acoustical reggae, hip hop and alternative rock  genre of music.


The band was found by 2 guys Damon and Jamie from Britain around late 1990's. Their plan was to start a collaboration of musicians and play them as the animated characters do the actual story line for each of their music videos. Theoretically this might sound a vague complex idea, but once it took off there was no stopping them. They recorded many of their songs initially starting with "Ghost Train" which was later released on the release of their "G-Sides" album  (Gorillaz B-Sides Album). Over time sizeable number(rumored to me in excess of 50) of artists were involved in all capacities to make their compilation and music better. In the latest album Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, De La Soul, Lou Reed, The Lebanese National Orchestra and more are involved.

Coming to characters in the band : We have 

1. 2D - on Vocals and Keyboard (voiced by Damon Albarn )    
2. Murdoc Niccals -Guitar
3. Russel Hobbs - Drums,DJ and sometimes percussion
4. Noodle - Guitar and Vocals (voiced by Haruka Kuroda)

Murdoc,2-D,Noodle and Russel

Their fantastic multi platinum single "Feel Good Inc." is one of my most favorite songs of the last decade and their album "Demon Days" is definitely one of the best albums of all times. Their songs have wonderful music videos with some story line attached to it. The other songs which made platinum from the same album alone are Kids with Guns, El Mañana, Dare and Dirty Harry. The Feel Good song's floating island is still one of the best animated concepts I have seen in a music video. The song was played continuously when I was at Bangkok working  and it  always remind me of good ol' times (strangely only young people get nostalgic). 

The floating Island from Feel Good Inc.

They have also thought about making a Gorillaz movie which was first announced sometime in 2006. The plan was to make a part animated part motion picture with the help of american big production house Weinstein Pictures. It was also announced that the actual musicians will play some roles in the movie and the soundtrack would be the next solo album. But however all those talks were doused down by early 2008 when the plan was said to dropped.

Now with Plastic Beach they are making a come back of sorts and there are many fans around the world who are waiting for this album as eagerly as me. They also have made short clips on the lead up to this new album to give a whole new understanding into the Plastic Beach concept and its own story-line. The couple of singles of that album can be found floating in various websites. STYLO and Super Fast Jellyfish are already getting good vibe by the listners and I hope the rest of the A sides can keep up with Gorillaz expectation this time.

You can pre order your Plastic Beach copy here : Amazon , PLAY , hmv 

More information on Gorillaz from their official link : Gorillaz

More Videos from their official YouTube Channel : Gorillaz Channel