You could say the world doesn't need another Gorillaz remix album.
The "band," or brainchild of Blur's Damon Albarn and "Tank Girl" creator Jamie Hewlett, was well-represented by the CD G-Sides that came out last year.
It would seem that an attempt to stretch the same material far enough to make another full-length disc would be an exercise in futility at best - and a cynical attempt to grab a few more bucks off the same songs at worst.
But the latest Gorillaz remix disc Spacemonkeyz versus Gorillaz - Laika Come Home from Astralwerks Records cannot be mistaken for a moneymaking opportunity.
With renowned remixing freaks the Spacemonkeyz at the helm, the Gorillaz become a free-floating funhouse.
Using the time-honored techniques of dub producers - drum loops, bombastic backward tape manipulation and bass, bass and more bass - these monkeyz utterly transform theAlbarn's material.
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The result is pop songs that are ethereal, bass-heavy doppelgangers barely distinguishable from their original incarnations.
It's just too bad that the transition doesn't always work.
For the most part it is the lesser-known Gorillaz songs that benefit most from the remixing. But even that rule is broken.
"Jungle Fresh," the remix of "19/2000," which recently resurfaced as a commercial jingle, lurches along at times, stubbornly defying the upbeat vibe if the original and its manic remixes. But the remix of "Clint Eastwood," now dubbed "A Fistful of Peanuts," is refitted into a reggae delight.
Dub enthusiasts may find Laika Come Home to be a fine CD, but those that have short musical attention spans may just end up fast forwarding through some tracks, as parts of the disc seem to meander aimlessly.
Laika Come Home is definitely not a pop album. Gorillaz fans will probably accept it with open arms.
But those attracted to the group's pop hits should steer clear of this CD.
That is, unless they're feeling very adventurous.
