Demon Days - Gorillaz

The Gorillaz are arguably the most popular virtual band (other than Alvin and the Chipmunks, if you count that) to hit the scene. Albums like Demon Days prove that they have a reason to be. This little collection will have you shutting your eyes and bobbing your head to every single song.
What amazes me about the band, and the album specifically, is the inter-genre sound they create in every song. For example, if you listened to just the beginning and end of "White Light" you might be tempted to say that the band is a punk/alternative rock band. However, one listen to "November Has Come" will change your mind immediately. They all have a sort of alt-rock feel, but when that's laced with hip-hop, rap, dance and funk, it creates a genre that I simply call 'Gorillaz.'
A few highlights I want to point out on the album:
First, on "Last Living Souls," I encourage you to listen to the orchestration and layering. How many instruments are playing at a given time? Which instruments are they? How does that change the style? This song is a perfect example of the musicality that might go unnoticed to the casual listener. That sense of depth is carried through to the next song, "Kids With Guns." What really jumps out at me in this song is the way the 'lazy' vocals add to the ambiance of the dragging, laid-back groove. Both the spoken and sung sections have that feel to them, and I really dig it. I think my favorite groove is found in "Dirty Harry," though. The chorus of children is a nice touch, too. "Feel Good Inc." and "DARE" make me want to dance, which is rare. Be sure also, to note the oddly-attractive spoken track "Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head." I can't put my finger on why I like it so much. I think it's just the way the background meshes so well with the narrator's voice. The acoustic breaks are cool, as well.
There's a lot I could say, but I'd rather let the album do the speaking, so have a listen! I can't imagine how anyone would be disappointed with this great collection of songs.

Free link to the album on Napster:
http://free.napster.com/view/album/index.html?id=12007058