Gorillaz

Demon Days

[3] The world’s finest animated band, Gorillaz, shocked many in 2001 with their self-titled debut album and smash single, “Clint Eastwood.” After two remix discs, Demon Days is the proper follow-up to Gorillaz, and it adheres to its predecessor’s casually clever mish-mashing of styles (hip hop, dub, reggae, orchestral pop) while casting darker moods. Funk is Demon Days’ default mode (Danger Mouse co-produces); also prevalent is Damon Albarn’s melancholy croon. If he sounds bored, the music is mostly an interesting hybrid of unlikely elements (children’s choir, Dennis Hopper, violins) and naggingly catchy tunes. Best of all is underground-rap phenom MF Doom’s darkly brilliant cameo on “November Has Come.” (VIRGIN) Dave Segal