Product Description

The debut album from Damon Albarn's latest project incorporates bass playing from Paul Simonon of The Clash, drumming from the talented and revered Afro-beat star, Tony Allen and guitar work from former Verve man, Simon Tong. Production comes from Danger Mouse of Gnarls Barkley fame, while Albarn focuses on defining 21st Century London life across the album's twelve tracks. The singles 'Herculean' and 'Kingdom Of Doom' are included.

Track Listing

1. History Song
2. 80s Life
3. Northern Whale
4. Kingdom Of Doom
5. Herculean
6. Behind The Sun
7. The Bunting Song
8. Nature Springs
9. A Soldier's Tale
10. Three Changes
11. Green Fields
12. The Good, The Bad And The Queen

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #725 in Music
• Released on: 2007-01-22
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
If Damon Albarn has the one talent worth recognising, it's that he knows to surround himself with the right people. In his continued quest to shed the redundant image of Damo The Britpop Clown for something more serious, eclectic and influential, the danger that there isn't really enough of him to go around his various projects is constantly present. But in a masterstroke of staging that's never the primary concern. In Gorillaz he aligned himself with the cutting edge, wrapped himself in crayoned-on clothing and took the plaudits as his collaborators made the star turns. But he remained the natural and necessary constant. The Good, The Bad & The Queen (a one-off production rather a proper band, apparently) is an extension of that template, but feels more like Damon's show.

The distractions this time are Clash legend Paul Simonon, who prowls the shadows watching Damon's back, building a strong dub bass back-bone, and Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen whose contributions are subtle but efficient. Oh, and Damon's session player of choice Simon Tong, formerly of The Verve. Together they weave a diverse, often beguiling and generally sombre strand of London-based woe, occasionally lifted by the intrinsic hope of the music like on the swelling sun-rise anthem "Herculean". The songs rarely kick through as with Blur and Gorillaz, instead retaining a steady quality and ambience, lead by Albarn's Small Faces-esque piano foundation, but "80s Life" and "Behind The Sun" are real highlights. --James Berry.

Customer Reviews

Nowt so Queen
The music on this cd is as good as any I have heard in years, the lyrics - whilst being unremarkable on paper - come across well in context. Full marks for production by Dangermouse, this is a wonderful aural treat on a good stereo. Good to hear Paul Simonon working the low end magic once again.

Understated magnificence
The Good, The Bad & The Queen is an intriguing concept album about modern-day life in London which started life as a Dangermouse-produced solo album by Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), but later evolved into a group effort when Damon was joined by Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Tong (The Verve) and Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen.

This isn't an easy listen, by any means. It is a bleak, stripped down album with many of the tracks, whilst featuring often-delicate piano and some electronic sounds, have a slight reggae influence. There are, however, so many moments of beauty when the melody lifts and the music soars, representing the rare moments in everyday life when the mundane can turn into something special and for us to all recognise and treasure.

Whilst very consistent, there is nothing on this album that particularly stands head-and-shoulders above anything else, although - once you have listened to it from start to finish - you almost feel as if you have sat through a dramatic representation of what it means to be a cynical, slightly world-weary Londoner in the 21st Century. The sum of the album is certainly greater than it's parts and sometimes, whilst listening to this piece of work, you feel as if you are listening to something rather great and yet you can't exactly put your finger on why you feel that way. Understated magnificence.

An essential album for 2007
This is without doubt one of the highlights of 2007.

Most reviews of this album seem to focus on the input of Damon Albarn, however the entire musicianship on this album is all top notch. Whilst this may not be the cup of tea for fans of Gorillaz, Blur fans (especially those who prefer 'Blur' or 'Modern Life is Rubbish' will relish this album.

It's one of those rare albums which sounds great on the first listen, but is also a real grower too. Make a purchase and you'll be happy!