More on the Gorillaz’ outstanding Plastic Beach if I ever dig myself out from under the giant pile of “real work” that’s been consuming my life for the past few weeks, but until then consider “Sweepstakes”. Mos Def’s return from the shores of insanity (aka: Kool Keith land) has been one of the more pleasant surprises in recent memory, particularly because he’s kept the eccentric streak but abandoned the inconsistency that’s made most of his last decade a wash.
If The Ecstatic made anything clear it’s that the man needs strong collaborators with the same progressive itch to make sure his creative impulses are pointed in the right direction. Damon Albarn more than qualifies for the position here, dropping an off-kilter slab of wonky madness that ranks up there with anything released by the new generation of Glasgow dro-puffers. Mos tackles it admirably considering the unwieldy rhythm, but things get REALLY interesting once the whole thing shifts into an entirely new beat around the guy’s voice. Then, just when you think you have a handle on it, the track explodes into a Miami bass marching rhythm courtesy of The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. The end results sounds like Dilla and Andre 3000 sharing a blunt in England while the aforementioned mighty Mos spazzes out in the background and if that’s not enough to warrant a download, I don’t know what does. Necessary listening and a lock for any reputable end of the year list.
Download
MP3: The Gorillaz – Sweepstakes ft Mos Def & The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (left click)
5 comments
dronkmunk says:
March 4, 2010 at 4:07 pm (UTC -7)
I do not agree. It was daring, or whatever, but it was arguably the worst song on a disappointing album.
My take on Plastic Beach:
http://tehlush.blogspot.com/2010/03/review-gorillaz-plastic-beach.html
Sach says:
March 4, 2010 at 4:35 pm (UTC -7)
That’s a fair take, though I obviously disagree. It’s definitely the least uptempo album in the trilogy. I think the concept works exceptionally well though and it certainly blows away Kanye and Gaga’s attempted commentary on the 80′s/plastic celebrity culture, probably because Albarn’s moved past his fame whore phase.
dronkmunk says:
March 4, 2010 at 6:43 pm (UTC -7)
True, and I have gone back and changed that since. I don’t know where I got the term ‘pop’ from in regards to this album.
dronkmunk says:
March 4, 2010 at 10:39 pm (UTC -7)
Also, I wouldn’t go so far as to call 808s or Gaga’s album ‘commentaries’ on disposable pop music. While I still believe Beach does disappoint in certain aspects, it certainly does grow on a brotha. Sweepstakes is still eminently skippable though, unless you’re like making out with someone while the album is playing; then it works.
nick_sweepstakes says:
March 5, 2010 at 5:07 am (UTC -7)
“I don’t know where I got the term ‘pop’ from in regards to this album.”
mr albarn called this one his most “pop” effort in some interviews… but yeah i agree, it seems the opposite of that.
but i don’t think any of them are skippable!
this album is fantastic.