Pushing the senses...

I suppose my appreciation for music began when I was a pre-teen. My brother was a Dj and thus, my exposure to all manner of different sounds began. Until a few years ago, I couldn't get enough of a band called Suede. Their influences: obviously Bowie, Bolan, Echo and the Bunnymen and the ever melancholy lyrics of duo Morrissey and Marr. The sound: always larger than life, fusing rock beats with orchestral overtures. It always manages to take me to a place that is euphoric. Since 1992, the music scene in the UK produced bands that took us from the ridiculous (Bronski Beat) to the sublime (Blur). From this, spawn a realm of sound that defies description and tickles the senses endlessly. My new obsession is a collaboration of the band Blur (amongst others), called Gorillaz. This animated pop-group combines hip-hop, dub sounds and trippy tunes that will provoke anyone to get their groove on. The genius behind this toon-army is down to Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett (most people familiar with the comic Tank Girl will recognize his work and moniker). The vision, techniques and colors used to create these 2D wonders are magnificent. If this animation creation doesn't peek your interest (and I defy anyone to pass it by without comment), surely the music will inspire and compel you to think beyond what any of us have come to expect from artists. Experimenting with the mainstream never sounded so good.