The Good, the Bad & the Queen

The Good, The Bad & The Queen - an original band in potential

Looks like the fame and grandiose success of Blur and Gorillaz has never satisfied Damon Albarn, singer and songwriter. Frontman of both collectives has recently worked out a new project which has been initially a solo one and gradually grew into a real supergroup with a funny provocative name The Good, The Bad and The Queen. The starry lineup includes Clash bassist Paul Simonon, The Verve guitarist Simon Tong and Africa 70 drummer Tony Allen. To top it all up legendary Danger Mouse, who performs the role of synth player in the newly formed band, has done a brilliant production. Although it is quite probable that the lot of skeptics may expect the repetition of everything heard before on the eponymous debut album, in reality The Good, The Bad & The Queen differs from both Blur and Gorillaz works to a great extent. It is a darker and gloomier collection of songs each containing a certain message united under the aegis of London living theme. Thus The Good, The Bad & The Queen is an original band in potential and the fans of all the musicians may not worry about their further reputation.

An unearthly adventure with melancholy and rage

The content of the songs on The Good, The Bad & The Queen suggests its classification as a concept album: people living in London, their future and past are the key topics throughout. Yet each track on the record touches different strings in the listener’s soul and it would be quite mistaken to call it utterly homogeneous, though it is undoubtedly not devoid of cohesion. The opener History Song introduces the whole mood of the record: melancholic, reflexive and a bit sad. A measured song 80's Life sounds a bit more alive and has a somewhat retro coloring. The contrast between quite a popular ballady sample and a pessimistic lyrics here adds power to the impression of the song. Northern Whale is closest to Garillaz works and actually finds itself quite to the point here. One of the doubtless highlights of the record is composition Kingdom Of Doom, melodious and hard on guitars. The first single Herculean gives a feeling of unearthly adventure and makes the listeners brood on the caducity of living. Track Three Changes is another candidate to become many’s favorite song with its sound complexity and an absolutely unique melody. Finally a multilayer composition The Good, The Bad & The Queen closes the album with piano riffs and another philosophic lyric line. At the end the song acquires a roaring sounding that adds rage to the album’s emotional spectrum.

A new word in Damon Albarn’s career

The fact that project The Good, The Bad & The Queen is going to be a success is not subject to question. The reason for that, however, is not solely Albarn’s gift to make lucky projects, but also the participation of experienced musicians each of which has his own view on what the output product should sound like. Besides, much has depended on Danger Mouse and he has not stood his team mates up: the play on the singer’s vocals and professionally made electronic elements have again confirmed his status of a quality producer. Numerous contrasts within the songs lead to their controversial apprehension and at the same time remain the main sources of harmony on The Good, The Bad & The Queen. Basically these controversies result in most varied opinions of those who listen to it, but despite their polarity, one cannot but agree that altogether The Good, The Bad & The Queen is a completely new word in Damon Albarn’s career, a stylish and fundamental album outshining much of what he has done before. Naturally he is expected to continue the tendency and in future present the world with the next creation, as powerful and impressive as the debut.