Plastic Beach is currently streaming in it’s entirety over at NPR. Smart music fans who know their way around ripped the whole album as a result and now it is out there. It is in low quality sitting at 128 kbps, so there is still plenty of reasons for you to go out there and buy the album when it is released.
Two of tracks that I think are considerably above the rest of the album (which is saying a lot, because this album is pretty damn brilliant) are Rhinestone Eyes & On Melancholy Hill. Immediately both of these stood out to my ears and caused me to hit the play button one more time through my journey to Plastic Beach.
Rhinestone Eyes sounds like vintage Gorillaz. It is one of the rare moments on Plastic Beach where Damon is all alone, and that is part of the reason that I took an immediate liking to it. It has a a really hypnotic backing track that is an absolute delight for the listener. “I’m a scary gargoyle on a tower. That you built with plastic power, your rhinestone eyes are like factories far away” There are often timeless moments when you take a liking to a song right away, and you really can’t explain it. It’s like the song takes away your ability to think or process thoughts. The delightful electronic work along with Damon’s smooth vocals are gold here. This is a damn good song. My mind’s blown!
On Melancholy Hill kicks off with a drum beat and floats away to a heavenly atmosphere that is covered with a feeling of melancholy (fitting title then, eh?) and longing. Even before Damon sings a single lyrics, the song gives me a really sad feeling of someone looking back, missing something. Damon really hit’s his stride here with all the makings of a pretty damn perfect pop song. It has a sad nature, but parts of it point towards a sunny feeling deep below. Just like Rhinestone Eyes, On Melancholy Hill is a song that I loved right from the get-go. It is just an incredible song that is different from anything on this album, or in the Gorillaz song collection in general. It has pure feeling and substance. Damon sings in a really emotional tone. But even if he didn’t sing you would get the feel that this song is drenched with feelings of melancholy. I can picture this gorgeous hill that is peaceful, elegant, and full of color. Damon is there sitting, waiting for you to listen. How is that for a music video?
[stream] : Gorillaz – Rhinestone Eyes
[stream] : Gorillaz – On Melancholy Hill
Get on the pre-order over at insound. Grab it on regular CD or the Deluxe CD!
Join the conversation