Gorillaz Album: “D-Sides”

I've already just written a full review of the album under the regular release listing, but to comment on the extras that you'll get with the deluxe set I will post here.

In the deluxe set you get a nice black box package, with a stamped lid that comes fully off to open the package. Inside there is a cardboard, 2 disc slip case with the discs included and a track listing on the back with the times of each track. You get the booklet, which is likely the same as the regular edition, though I can't be certain. There is a sheet of 4 stickers with 1 of each of the Gorillaz. There are 4 buttons which have Gorillaz related designs, though they aren't "Gorillaz" badges or buttons. There are 2 Gorillaz art prints that are pretty cool (I don't know if different ones are inserted in different sets, or if everyone gets the same ones.) There is also a sew-on patch relating to the album artwork. And that's all. So, while I like the box and am pleased with the extras, I'm sure most fans won't necessarily want to pay extra for buttons, stickers, a patch and a couple art cards. So, assess how devoted the fan you're buying for is before making your decision.

This album is amazing. I love the songs, especially "Hong Kong", "Dirty Harry (Chinese New Year Version)" and "Feel Good Inc (Stanton Warriors Remix)". I was thrilled when I read about it on Wikipedia, and I think the extras are worth it (yay stickers!). There are some songs I don't like (Jamie T's Remix of "Kids With Guns" should NOT be listened to by anyone under 13, woe is me), but otherwise this album is great. It balances out soft, mellow songs with loud, rocker ones. This album is a great addition to the already awesome story of Gorillaz, and I hope that they come back with more great stuff for all the Gorillaz fans out there.

When I got my first credit card I said to myself: whatever of Gorillaz stuff is released, I will not look for it in local shops - I just know it isn't there. Well, except CDs and DVDs, but you know, Russian distributors would rather churn out a lot of illegal poor-looking-and-sounding copies than spending their precious money on BLEH! LICENSED ONES! I got pretty fed up with that, and I gave up coming to local music shops. My chums have no experience of on-line shopping at all and are sure it's so damn expensive they can't afford it; therefore they say I'm crazy. And you know what? After getting D-SIDES I got convinced I'm obviously not.

The first thing I saw when I removed the cardboard, was hard black CD-sized box, wrapped in film that had a sticker with the description of content and a picture of 2-D, sneering at me. What was inside? First of all, a set of 4 charming badges picturing Gorillaz-related symbols every experienced admirer of the fantastic four must have seen. 4 stickers of fantastic four, finally, to attach to your forehead and let the world to see you love the biggest band in the world. Then, a sew-on patch with a picture of Pazuzu. 2 CDs, of course, as promised. Need I say about musical content? DIVINELY. The only question is: why on Earth didn't they include Mr Softy's Balloon Race?!

I can't help saying about two art prints, also included, as I think those are the cream of the set. Anyway, looking at the marvellously done pencil drawings, a bit grey and smeared by Jamie's hand, makes my day. For me, to get them was like to get a desired gift on my birthday. It's a lot like meeting the author in person. It's a living art. And these pale sketches are much dearer for me than hundreds of coloured.

And a booklet of some already familiar artworks. :)

Feels like Gorillaz possess kinda recipe of success behind the doors of KONG, otherwise how do they manage to organize their stuff in the way it literally shines with pure, naked magic? Maybe the answer is they do what they're supposed to do, and love what they do. Damon rocks. Jamie is genius. Murdoc is God. My advice: if there's no place in your town where you can buy Gorillaz stuff, if you want a piece of something real, a REAL THING spending your money on which you'll never regret, if you highly value works of an author - do add D-Sides to your cart and proceed to checkout. You'll thank me.

I've been a staunch Gorillaz fan since the first album, and have loved (and purchased) nearly everything they've put out. In my opinion, Demon days was the best album of 2005. That being said, this collection of B-sides is really below the bar that was set by its predecessor. A few of the new tracks are pretty catchy, the demo version of 'Don't Get Lost In Heaven" especially, but for the most part it's all fluff. The remixes are even more unremarkable, and in some cases just downright annoying. Though it's nice that they're giving you 13 new tracks on top of the 9 remixes, this album isn't song for song as worth your money as the B-side collection (G-Sides) that followed the first album, even though it only contained a handful of new songs. Even for hardcore Gorillaz fans, D-Sides is really a stretch, and should be purchased only by those concerned with completing their CD library.

Gotta love Damon and the Gorillaz. If you have been collecting their releases since the original DVD release of Phase One: Celebrity Takedown this is the perfect companion CD set. Gorgeous display box and more of Jamie Hewlett's excellent artwork are perfect for flipping through while you listen to the follow up to their G-Sides album. Musically this is closer to their debut than anything from Demon Days.