gorillaz - demon days live - the dvd
for those of us who were unable to see the live full album play through for the latest gorillaz album we can now revel in the sheer visual overload and perfect pop perfection in pure silver disc digital form. as was reported by the worlds media, this extravaganza was brought to the stage by damon and just about every guest on the album and received glowing reviews from all that managed to get themselves tickets.
so how about the dvd ? well, for a start, the presentation of the show is very straightforward. apart from a lot of split screen interplay, it's a very dry run. none of the pop video excess on display other than the visuals provided on the screen above the musicians, none of the dark macabre website madness, no 3d animation a la grammy awards show, just the show from start to finish. obviously, filling a stage with an orchestra, kids choir, full rock band (including half of the much missed 'the senseless things' !), dj, multiple dayglo screens, and a piano for damon to hide behind, in an old school theatre must have been a logistical nightmare. so, it's all credit to the zombie flesh eaters crew that the show works as brilliantly as it does.
amazingly, for such a studio/virtual project, the gorillaz music really works well in a live setting. the band are on fire, letting loose the perfect dubbed up dark pop and bringing to the fore the fact that for all the visual treats we have come to expect from this gang, the songs themselves are actually rather wonderful.
for me, the treats are watching just how the guests on the album perform their party pieces - ike turner doing his piano part, looking out of place, completely befuddled by the whole thing, but not giving a damn as he tries to convince us that the liberace revival is just around the corner, neneh cherry grinning from ear to ear but not really adding anything extra, and de la soul being the perfect rap stars on stage. however, the real stars are the kids that appear for 'dirty harry'. they are all street urchin-esque and cool as fuck, and when booty brown comes on for his word funk, the kids just give it all their hip hop poses and dance their asses off, they are loving it, and from the shadow action from damon (lots of thumbs up and grooving), he knows that this mad thing is working its magic. a wonderful human moment for band that don't exist. also, there is phoned in section with mf doom that perfectly matches the weirdness, and maintains the mystery and aura of the masked hero.
unfortunately, timescales have prevented me from seeing the complete show, so i have yet to see shaun do his baggy pop hit, nor see how they sort out dennis hoppers spoken dialogue, i'm saving the grand finale for another day.
so, rather than me telling you more, here's a preview : here.
23 stars out of 5 easily.
extra stuff
demon days - album review : here
dirty harry - b-sides reviewed: here
interview with noodle : here
official : link
fans : link