Gorillaz’ Plastic Beach doesn’t hit shelves in the U.S. until next week, but since the album is already streaming online, we’re unleashing Rolling Stone’s review of Damon Albarn and company’s third album a week early. While stocked with Gorillaz’ best cameo roster to date — Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed and the Clash’s Mick Jones and Paul Simonen all stop by — Plastic Beach is still all Albarn’s vision, Rob Sheffield writes in his three-and-a-half star review.
“[Albarn’ writes the tunes, produces, sings, plays most of the music and gets people on the phone for left-field cameos,” Sheffield writes. “Plastic Beach is not as pop as the first two Gorillaz albums — there aren’t any go-for-the-throat dance tunes in the style of ‘Dare,’ ‘Feel Good Inc.’ or ‘19-2000.’ But it peaks high.” Other highlights include “Superfast Jellyfish,” co-starring Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys and “Feel Good Inc.” returnees De La Soul, and “Some Kind of Nature” with Lou Reed, who wins Best Supporting Actor on this set.
Also out now is Joanna Newsom’s three-disc epic Have One on Me, the much-anticipated follow-up to the harpist’s Ys. Newsom’s latest album represents a huge step forward for the singer, both lyrically and musically, with tracks like “Good Intentions Paving Company” and “‘81″ among the best she’s written in her young career. Incredibly expansive at over two hours long, “The work repays attentive listens more than casual ones. But beware: Love may ensue,” Will Hermes writes in his three-and-a-half star review.
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Article Source: Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily