Gorillaz

A Gorillaz singles collection sounds a bit redundant. One would be correct in assuming even the most casual music listeners know at least half of the tracks on this "greatest hits." But it's shocking to scroll chronologically through the band's catalogue of singles. "Tomorrow Comes Today" and its haunting trip-hop melodies recall the mystery and allure surrounding the "cartoon band" that possibly featured Blur's Damon Albarn. The Demon Days-era tracks sound as fresh as ever, as both "Dirty Harry" and "Feel Good Inc." demonstrate the group's ability to collaborate. De La Soul, Bobby Womack and members of the Clash are just a small sample of some of the collaborators present on Plastic Beach; having many disparate artists on one record is a feat only the Gorillaz could achieve with such success. Gorillaz are a cultural artefact; in their ten years, they've moved with, and set, trends in pop music. From their early origins as a mixed media, multi-faceted act of the Y2K era to their contemporary incarnation as a collaborative breeding ground for Albarn and Hewlett, Gorillaz have shaped pop music. The Singles Collection 2001-2011 is a testament to their influence as a group.