Customer Reviews

Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's really two ways of looking at this "biography". One from a pre-production, writing and illustrative standpoint. It's an amazing piece of work put together for what some call a "fictional band".

The second way is reading this as if it were all true. And believe me you will think it is. The band is so well written, you start to think, "Oh Murdoc is a great lyricist!" But then you think, wait, it's really Albarn who did the writing. Bits like this help you enjoy this book twice as much as if you would only see it as one or the other.

And I have to say this is quite a bio. While they could have gone and made a quick small book with existing artwork, they laboured in creating a genesis of a band showcasing every little minute detail in their lives to the present. And I love it. I love little details like these. You fall in love with the band even more.

The book explores their origins, their loves and hates, they're issues, victories, writing lyrics, creating videos, collaborating (with the ppl that actually took part in creating the band), photo shoots, romances, affairs, hauntings etc, arguing and discussing every thing while showing pictures of them every step of the way.

And they really are meant as "photos" of them. They've taken this to a new level. Where once one could easily turn themselves into a cartoon for the sake of a video, a cartoon here has literally become real, solid, tangible. Do you really want to know that 3 people played the part of Russel? Not including his voice? Or that 3 or 4 ladies did the voice and vocals for Noodle while others played the guitar parts? I certainly really don't. While I know most of the "real" background info on them, I much rather prefer to believe them as real people.

But it's easy to see the underlying notes throughout the book give little hints and glimpses of the real story, with the real people that brought it together, but it's so subtle you'll kindly smile because they did this so well it doesn't interrupt the pacing of the book at all.

But remember you love Kermit the Frog and Gonzo for them, not because it's Jim Henson and Frank Oz moving them.

So if you're a fan of the Gorillaz, this is a must have. If you're a fan of great pop art, great storytelling, and great music this is a must have as well. The Gorillaz can't be considered the "best" animated band, because technically they really are the only animated band. But at the same time, they shouldn't be considered that either.

They're really just another band. They put on shows, they do interviews, they do photo shoots they get drunk, they get beat up etc. Because in the end the music is what it's all about. And watching them live and create is a luxury all fans and spectators get to have.

*Get the accompanying DVD Slowboat to Hades and the new vinyl figures from Kid Robot out now as well if you're a die hard fan like meself!*

Gorillaz, the best animated band in the multicolor world, have released an awesome hardcover, 300 page, thick-enough-to-kill-someone-if-you-knocked-them-over-the-head book, written, of course, by themselves. 2D, Murdoc, Russel, and Noodle all have stuff to say, and they don't hold back on saying it (what do you expect? They're cartoons.) This lavishlly illustrated... er... photographed book is amazing. The drawings... er... photos show parts of Gorillaz you've never seen, and they all have wonderful things to show, tell, and elaborate on. It's a wonderful book.

This book is so amazing! It has some of the best illustrations I have ever seen in any book, even comics. It also has some of the best stories and written material I have seen in a book in a long time. I am amazed at the rich backgrounds that the creators have made up for these characters. The first page in the book is about Murdoc when he was a little kid and his dad forced him to act like Pinnochio and sing "I've Got No Strings". This book is absolutely amazing! It's a must have.

Murdoc. Noodle. Russel. 2D. Their life stories. What more could you ask for? This is a must own for fans, and a good read for people looking for a good laugh. And the art work! I would just buy a book of that, without text. Jamie Hewlett's art helps the book a lot- it wouldn't be Gorillaz without some pictures, come on- but Cass Brown's amazing writing skills make it all the more worth while. He really brings the characters to life, especially Murdoc. The only draw back is that a lot of the text has been release previously as interviews. The new material really make up for it, however. Funny at times and serious the next, 'Gorillaz: Rise of the Ogre' is a wonderful ride through the lives of this animated foursome.

Not only are the illustrations in this book wonderfully fabulous, but the story is hillarious and laid out in a way that creats a complete background for each member suiting each of their personalities. If you didn't know the story behind the Gorillaz, you'd assume the characters were real people, with real history!
I highly recomend this book to everyone!

Hooray!

Probably the most concise visual history of the published work Jamie has done for this project as of yet and a great work of humorous fiction in it's own right. Continues the tradition of creating a surrealistic reality for the band where existing people coexist and interact with Murdoc, 2D, Noodle and Russel. Won't find much in terms of concept art (some early drawings though) or how Jamie and Damon masterminded the project but a definite pick-up for any Gorillaz fan.

I have liked Gorillaz since I first saw there video on MTV for "Clint Eastwood". There videos and there music just drew me in and never will let me go. Now with this book this answers all the burning questions Gorillaz fans have been wanting to know. It has a great set of chapters and great artwork and pictures to go along with the book. Considering this book is almost 300 pages long and is a very nice hardback book for its cost its not a bad price. It also tells on upcoming things especially in the future. Just us fans can hope that Gorillaz will stay around for a very long time to come.

Every detail, down to individual song reviews, is given. Gorillaz is exposed! The backstory is simply incredible, while not forgetting about all of the fantastic people who helped them along the way! This book is groundshaking, absolutely incredible, and (as Murdoc would say, I believe) gobsmacking.

For a die hard fan like myself, this book was an absolute must. While I was reading, I must say that some parts didn't interest me as much as others, but the overall flare of the book took me in, nonetheless! While it was interesting learning more of Noodle's past, it wasn't so intriguing to hear the individual song reviews (no matter how flashy the vocabulary was).

Overall, Rise of the Ogre gets a 5 out of 5.

Just like the founder of Gorillaz, Murdoc says: "Better than the Bible." We all that is not true, him being the founder of Gorillaz. It was actually created by two British dudes. However, you just have to go out and by this book to see the whole story!

What I really liked about this book was how the authors made it seem to be a real bands biography book. It also mentions how the band members got inspired to write their songs and how it is that they all met. I liked how they mentioned that Noodle (the Japanese Guitarist) was added to the group. She was delivered in a big FedEx Crate from Japan of course. The artwork and pictures are also really beautiful in this book.

I can go on and on, but that is not fair to the seller of this book now is it?. So I suggest to get off you're lazy bums and go buy this awesome book. That is if you're a true Gorillaz fan!

My son has wanted this book for months. he earned enough money himself and wanted me to drive him 30 miles to borders. ilooked on amazon and found it $5 cheaper with free overnite shipping. Perfect!