Customer Reviews

Gorillaz: Demon Days Live

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I rented this because I like Gorillaz, but I wasn't expecting much.

I'd heard the musicians performed behind and/or beneath a screen onto which the animated band is seen playing which ... didn't sound particularly interesting to me.

What this actually is is a multimedia performance, with movies and images projected onscreen in front of an audience while Albarn and other musicians -- a string section, a children's choir, various vocalists -- crank out the songs from the album "Demon Days" with what seems to be extreme enthusiasm.

Another reviewer complained about the post-production and I can understand where he's coming from -- the performance is edited and chopped up with split-screens, montages, stutters, stop-motion illustration -- but, for me, it worked.

In terms of energy and creativity, I would call this a sharp, distant younger cousin to "Stop Making Sense." I'm not saying it's as good as "Stop Making Sense," but it's in a similar vein and it's a concert film that made me wish I'd been there to see it live. Since I wasn't, though, I can (and do) have tendency to put this on and crank it up to about 8 on my sound system.

A pop masterpiece that crosses genres and demographics, second Gorillaz album Demon Days remains a chart favourite almost a year on from its release. At the only Gorillaz live shows to date, Manchester fans were treated to a spellbinding production that brought together most of the album's guests artists (Ike Turner, De La Soul, Martina Topley-Bird and many more) for a colourful production on a grand scale. Letting the guests and the visuals take centre stage, Gorillaz mastermind Damon Albarn remains in the shadows with the live band and even refuses a credit on the DVD sleeve, yet the Blur frontman remains the chief conduit through which the vast range of Gorillaz rhythms flow. A little over an hour in length, with an encore capped off by lesser-known Gorillaz songs Hong Kong and Latin Simone, highlights include reclusive Neneh Cherry's appearance on Kids With Guns, the rough and syncopated sounds of Shaun Ryder (more interested in struggling to get a fag out of his pocket than singing his vocals on Dare) and the choral finale of Don't Get Lost In Heaven. With an additional option of watching the Jamie Hewlett visuals separate from the show and great sound recording throughout, Demon Days Live proves that a concert by a cartoon band is no longer an oxymoron.

This DVD is great! The show was awesome and had great sound, video, ect. Definitely worth the money. (It has an awesome case too. The booklet inside has a picture of the stained glass visualization in "Demon Days", very nice.)

This DVD is spectacular on several levels; first, it's a visual treat. You can either watch the live performance and listen, or listen in the context of the superb graphics we associate with gorillaz. Second, Albarn, as a characteristic silhouette, anchors all the performances, and his brilliant integration of performance rock, choral and classical strings forms a musical (and melodic) extravaganza allowing numerous guest performers to shine. Several performances stand out: De La Soul's rap contribution to "Feel Good Inc." forms a perfect contrast to the melody. Neneh Cherry adds strength to "Kids with Guns". The stand-out performer, however, is Rosie Wilson, a relatively anonymous session singer, whose performance on "Dare" has led me to view and listen to this track again and again - her voice is absolutely captivating and radiates a pure happiness and vitality. On a further level, "White Light" amongst others capitalises on the participatory theme, lots of people are on stage all the time, urging you to jump up and join in the dancing. This is coupled with constant shots of the audience, the performers, the choir, enhancing the feeling that this is an interactive event rather than a presentation performance. Once again, the back silhouette of Albarn keeps the focus off him as the central star but has enough presence to keep the performance connected from beginning to end. He appears on open stage in the penultimate performance ("Hong Kong") after which the final song is performed by Ibrahim Ferrer, a fitting tribute to the Cuban and to the brilliance of "buena vista social club" which sharply reminded us that music has the power to move us without the visual trappings we expect in performances today. This live performance in Manchester keeps this feeling alive - even the slurred grunts of Shaun Ryder seem to neatly fit in place on "Dare". Just a pleasure to watch and listen .....

This DVD is incredible! One of the best live DVDs I have ever seen! Deffinetly worth buying, you wont be sorry, even if your not a huge Gorillaz fan, I bet you'll love this DVD!!!

I've never been quite a fan of music DVDs. By that I mean the live stuff. I much rather be there to experience it then sit at home pretending I'm there. That's one side of it. I'm also a huuuuuge Gorillaz fan. And I have seen them live. The show to their self titled debut. But don't get me wrong, that doesn't make me biased towards everything they put out. On the contrary it leaves me to judge them on a higher level because I only expect the best from what they've given.

With that said, this has to be literally one of the best music DVDs I have encountered in quite some time. Don't worry about extras, documentaries, which while would have been nice to show how it was put together, are not here. Which makes sense since the band itself is very discreet they wouldn't show you all that.

The show itself was amazing, and it literally jumps off screen as you watch this, and I recommend you have a decent audio system as well. The amazing sound quality coupled by the beautiful visuals is astonishingly done well. The editing and the post production were so well conceived they worked on this like a labour of love and not just another DVD to sell. From start to end it will leave you speechless. As you stare in awe at the grandioso that is the Gorillaz, you realise that while at first you figured them to be a fictious band in every aspect, they are quite real and very capable of producing grand music on every level. You can tell by this by the standing ovation and after the show and after the encore. Only few bands have ever been able to touch me musically on such a deep level. And to put on such a show which normally you could only catch at the studio over a period of months to produce is a feat in itself.

If you want special features videos and documentaries get the 2 other DVDs especially now since they just released their newest one. Those will fill in all that nicely. But even if you're not a fan or just a new convert, I highly recommend you own this. No matter the age, or person you are, (you notice this on the DVD as well) and regardless of what your favourite genre is. Because they are so massive they can't be contained into one.

Thank you Damon and Jamie for such an experience, mates.

This live show of Gorillaz is amazing. I wasn't sure how it was going to be but it is really good. I liked everything in the show but Shaun Ryder's performance in DARE. I'm not sure what he was going for but his routine is different then in the studio version of the song. I was hoping that Dennis Hopper was going to be there live but his part is pre-recorded. I was really impressed by the extra song Hong Kong and the chinese Zither player Zeng Zhen was great.

The DVD itself is barebones. There are no behind the scenes or other extras. There are no subtitles available. There are 5.1 and DTS audio tracks though. The sound and video is top notch. You can watch the visuals used for the show separately. All the songs have visuals except Dirty Harry, Feel Good Inc., and Dare. I had read that at the live shows there was an intro and closing done by the 2D and Murdoc puppets and if that is true than I'm disappointed they were not included.

Overall this a great DVD experience for all Gorillaz fans.

Even if you don't consider yourself a fan of The Gorillaz, this DVD will make you one! The first thing that strikes me is how much fun all the participants appear to be having making their incredible music - it is a pleasure to see. Watching the kids in "Dirty Harry" actually brings tears to my eyes. This DVD contains lots of variety, guest musicians, violin players, choruses, dancers, etc. I was very happy that a friend bought this - I in turn bought two copies (one for me and one to give to a friend).

After watching Gorillaz perform Demon Days, from start to finish, with a live string section, two choirs, and every guest performer on the album, I was in shock. It had beeen perhaps, the very reason I enjoy watching concert DVDs. It has enriched my appreciation for the Gorillaz.
The visuals are excellent, every performance is on par. "Dirty Harry" is the best- complete with Missy Elliot-esque dancing Brit school children. I agree with previous reviews, "DARE" is the biggest letdown of the show. Suprisingly undynamic in delivery, Shaun Ryder is completley bombed, drink in hand. But overall, one of the most fun concert performances released. It illuminates some of the mysteries of the Gorillaz, as we see them perform. Excellent. I would suggest for anyone that is a fan of MUSIC, not just Gorillaz.

My favourite Purchase this year. Wonderful show, simply breathtaking.
NIce that the whole show is played in order with the album. DARE is funny hehe!