I'm a Damon Albarn nerd, always have been.
On many occasions I have listed my favourite songs in my head but never written them down. His work spreads across a multitude of genres and band names. From Seymour to Blur to Mali Music to Gorillaz...
Today, I'll be choosing my top top favourite songs and TRYING to be a harsh critic. He has made many many songs across his career, so can I choose THE BEST ones? My favourites anyway.
Now for the record, my favourite of his projects is Blur but I'm trying to even out the playing ground a bit with this list.
What will Damon mostly be remembered for by an emotionally attached fan?
Here we go (In no particular order):
1. Blur - Beetlebum
Emotional, epic and blur at their best.
2. Gorillaz - To Binge
The most beachy song on the Plastic Beach album, and a duet? Brilliant. Intriguing lyrics from both artists as well. It's a great sister track to 'Empire Ants' which almost made the list!
3. Blur - Young and Lovely (Live at Hyde Park 2012)
Great B-Side performed once again to better effect with some awesome guitar from Graham Coxon. Bit of an ear-worm.
4. Gorillaz - Dare
As much as 'Demon Days' is an epic album of choir and hip hop, I do admire a great dance song. This is the best dance song Damon has written. I may also be a little bias because this is my favourite of the Gorillaz animated videos.
5. Dr Dee - Apple Carts
This whole album/ musical is beautiful but Apple Carts really starts it off well. Unlike much of Damon's music, the lyrics really bring to life a sense of place and time... with matching instrumentals.
6. Gorillaz - Stylo
Like Apple Carts, it sets a tone for the Plastic Beach album. Electronic, maybe simplistic? Melodic with big surprises. With two big name guest vocals, Stylo says a lot and just sounds great.
7. Blur - Out of Time
This is my favourite song of all time, so of course it would be on my list. Lyrically beautiful, instrumentally beautiful, vocally beautiful... it even has an apparent Doctor Who sound bite shoved in at the beginning (Info via Wikipedia.) The title speaks to me a lot as well. Here is where the bias comes in, this was the first new blur song to release after I had initially discovered the band. So of course I was excited. You can't deny it though, it's a gorgeous song.
8. Blur - Country Sad Ballad Man
Might as well get all of the Blur songs out of the way... This song is experimental with guitar, gritty, angry, sad, confused and distant. I love all that about it. It's a popular one with Blur fans and so it should be.
9. Good the Bad and the Queen - Nineteen Seventeen
This one might be a bit of a wild card. I go back and fourth on it, it must be a slow burner. Out of all of the tracks on this very well produced storytelling album, 'Merrie Land,' this song has always stood out the most. Great storytelling lyrically and Tony Allen's drums are brilliant as usual.
10. Mali Music - Sunset Coming On
10 on the list is always tricky. But I chose a song that most would agree is a quiet gem. Everyone wants a piece of this track.
Honourable Mentions:
1. Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood
2. Blur - There are too many of us
3. Gorillaz - Desole
4. Damon Albarn - Lonely Press Play
5. Damon Albarn - Particles
Let me know your top 10 fave Damon songs!
- The Daily Crumb
